Product Description
Santiago Ramon y Cajal was a mythic figure in science. Hailed as the father of modern anatomy and neurobiology, he was largely responsible for the modern conception of the brain. His groundbreaking works were New Ideas on the Structure of the Nervous System and Histology of the Nervous System in Man and Vertebrates. In addition to leaving a legacy of unparalleled scientific research, Cajal sought to educate the novice scientist about how science was done and how he thought it should be done. This recently rediscovered classic, first published in 1897, is an anecdotal guide for the perplexed new investigator as well as a refreshing resource for the old pro.Cajal was a pragmatist, aware of the pitfalls of being too idealistic--and he had a sense of humor, particularly evident in his diagnoses of various stereotypes of eccentric scientists. The book covers everything from valuable personality traits for an investigator to social factors conducive to scientific work.Amazon.com Review
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934) was an incrediblescientist--he made invaluable contributions to neuroanatomy, includingsome of the most beautiful scientific illustrations since Vesalius. He was also a popular author, andabove all a dedicated teacher, offering fatherly advice to studentsand young researchers on a wide range of topics. After he achievedsuccess as a scientist, he wrote the first edition of Reglas yConsejos sobre Investigación Biológia (los tonicos de lavoluntad) (1916). That work has been retranslated and presented byMIT Press as Advice for a Young Investigator. Although thewisdom contained in this slim, elegant volume is almost a century old,it is as fresh and useful today as it no doubt was then. What studentor researcher wouldn't benefit from advice given by a mentor who hascarefully examined his own life and career? Translator Larry Swansonwrites in the foreword:

Hard work, ambition, patience, humility, seriousness, andpassion for work, family, and country were among the traits heconsidered essential. But above all, master technique and produceoriginal data; all the rest will follow.

Cajal's guidance on such things as the scientific method, resolve,undue admiration of authority, passion for reputation, reading, and"diseases of the will" is priceless. Every page of this little book isfilled with read-aloud gems:

If a solution fails to appear after all of this, and yetwe feel success is just around the corner, try resting for awhile.... Like the early morning frost, this intellectual refreshmentwithers the parasitic and nasty vegetation that smothers the goodseed. Bursting forth at last is the flower of truth.

Whether you're writing a dissertation, conquering writer's block toget that paper submitted to a journal, beginning a new researchproject, or just starting out in a scientific career, Advice for aYoung Investigator will inspire, edify, and amuseyou. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

remarkably relavent many years after published.
I gave this to my husband. he's trying to pursue a career in medical research with several years of research experience and medical school and residency behind him. He's read it through a few times (It's not that long) and finds it to be remarkably up to date despite being written >100 years ago. The personalities, struggles and successes are all relevant today. Overall, he's been remarkably impressed with this.

Interesting Bit of Science History
I was given this book by a research mentor at the conclusion of a summer of undergrad research. She thought I would find the sections advising scientists to find appropriate wives amusing, and I certainly did. Cajal is certainly opinionated on this and many other subjects, and he writes well and clearly. Although the book is dated, the basic philosophy of science itself has not changed, making Cajal's insistence that young researchers question authority and trust their own abilities as timely as ever.

a classic
a wonderfully written, sharp, succinct account of how and why we should do research.for anyone embarking on long term work in the natural or social sciences this book provides invaluable advice.if only everyone worked this way!

excellent book
This is a great book for anyone who is embarking on research life journey. It should be a madatory reading for all persons getting training in research.

Inspiration for a new life vision
Could one expect have such a magnificent review of the life which can give you the main principles to enjoy your life as a scientist? Yes, read this book which still inspires me in most aspects of my life. By some pertinent illustrations, Santiago gave us the basis to lead not only a sucesss in your scientific career, but also (and more important) advices to a better human being.
This book (and all others of this kind) speaks to human's heart, andshould be proposed in our education system instead of so many boring and barely useful.
... Read more

Product Description
This book is a reprint of an English translation of Cajal's original work, with abundant notes and commentaries by the editor. This text describes Cajal's fundamental contributions to neuroscience, which continue to be important today. It accurately details Cajal's ideas and data, and provides readers with the opportunity to learn what Cajal thought about his research career and the significance of his observations. Excerpts from Tello's memorial lectures also provide a contemporary view of Cajal's work. ... Read more

Product Description
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934) made prolific and lasting contributions to understanding "the life of the infinitely small." Widely thought of as the founder of neuroscience, Cajal made remarkable explorations into the organization and function of the nervous system. His work is still referred to more than that of any other scientist in the field.W. Maxwell Cowan's foreword to this edition conveys the excitement and energy of Cajal's life and endeavors, the liveliness and flamboyance of his engagements with the microscope. Cowan surveys Cajal's salient discoveries, noting that almost every important conceptual issue in neurobiology was foreshadowed in Cajal's work: the initial description of the climbing fibers of the cerebellum, the discovery of the growth cone, the concept of the "dynamic polarity" of the neurom an anticipation of the later discovery of axonal transport, and the prediction that new synapses may be formed throughout life to serve as a physical basis for learning and memory.W. Maxwell Cowen is Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting view on science in another age
This is an interesting but somewhat strange book.It provides a really amazing view of what it was like to do science in those days, in particular about the various political maneuvering that was required to navigate the old spanish academic system.It also provides interesting insight into the personality of one of the greatest pioneers of cell biology.Unfortunately, part of his personality involves telling us all how great he was, so sometimes I found the book a little tiresome to read.I was also kind of disappointed in that it took a long time before he got around to covering the time when he actually made his important contributions to science.Still, for anyone interested in cell or neurobiology, or in the history of science, I would recommend this book fairly strongly as something they will enjoy.

Excellent
This book contained many valuable insights into the life of one of the most influential neuroscientists ever. This book was an excellent read. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Medicos escritores en Espana, 1885-1955 estudia las representaciones metaforicas de la enfermedad en Santiago Ramon y Cajal (1852-1934), Pao Baroja (1872-1956), Gregorio Maraian (1887-1960) y Antonio Vallejo N¡gera (1888-1960). Por 'medicos escritores' el autor entiende aquellos que intervinieron en la poli­tica espanola usando teori­as cientificas para construir discursos raciales, sexuales y patologicos sobre la identidad nacional. Este volumen analiza el papel de estos cuatro medicos en una variedad de textos, ilustrando como utilizan la ciencia y la medicina para definir políticas nacionales en Espana a travis de la metifora del cuerpo enfermo. Teniendo en consideracion psicoan¡lisis, teorias postcoloniales, de genero y 'queer', este libro expone una definicion negativa de la nacion espanola que aplica conceptos patologicos para desacreditar y rechazar todo aquello que no encaja con el ideal castellanocentrista de la espanlidad. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the first English-language publication of the complete works of the great Spanish neurohistologist, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, on the cerebral cortex. The new translations include all Cajal's very early contributions on the cortex of small mammals, relevant chapters from his definitive textbook, and all his great works on the human cerebral cortex made at the peak of his career. The book also presents Cajal's surveys of cortical structure dating from his later years. It is extensively annotated, and the editors have verified and completed all Cajal's references. Special introductory chapters review the state of knowledge during each period covered, and the work concludes with an extensive essay on modern cortical neurohistology in which the quality and lasting significance of Cajal's contributions are highlighted. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Cerebral cortex; Brain; Cerebral cortex; Brain/ Localization of functions; Brain - Localization of functions; Brain mapping; Medical / Neuroscience; Medical / Neurology; Medical / Neuroscience; Medical / Surgery / Neurosurgery; Psychology / Neuropsychology; ... Read more