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Our Brains, Our Selves
WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE
A FINANCIAL TIMES, THE TIMES AND GUARDIAN BEST SCIENCE BOOK OF 2025
What makes us who we are? Is it our background that creates our identities? Or our families, where we lived, how we were brought up and educated, the jobs we’ve held? Yes, all of the above, but more fundamental than any of these is our brain.
This is never more evident than if we lose even a single one of our cognitive abilities. People who develop a brain disorder can find that their identity, their sense of self, can undergo dramatic changes. Through the stories of seven of his patients, acclaimed Oxford University neurologist Masud Husain shows us how our brains create our identity, how that identity can be changed, and sometimes even be restored. Among the people we encounter is a man who ran out of words, a woman who stopped caring what others thought of her and another who, losing her memory, started to believe she was having an affair with the man who was really her husband.
These compelling human dramas reveal how our identities are created by different functions within the brain. They show how modern neuroscience can help to explain the changes in behaviour that occur when our perception, attention, memory, motivation or empathy are altered. By understanding how our brains normally function, neurologists are bringing hope to patients with brain disorders and illuminating the human experience. The resulting journey will ignite new ideas about who we really are and why we act in the ways we do.
A FINANCIAL TIMES, THE TIMES AND GUARDIAN BEST SCIENCE BOOK OF 2025
What makes us who we are? Is it our background that creates our identities? Or our families, where we lived, how we were brought up and educated, the jobs we’ve held? Yes, all of the above, but more fundamental than any of these is our brain.
This is never more evident than if we lose even a single one of our cognitive abilities. People who develop a brain disorder can find that their identity, their sense of self, can undergo dramatic changes. Through the stories of seven of his patients, acclaimed Oxford University neurologist Masud Husain shows us how our brains create our identity, how that identity can be changed, and sometimes even be restored. Among the people we encounter is a man who ran out of words, a woman who stopped caring what others thought of her and another who, losing her memory, started to believe she was having an affair with the man who was really her husband.
These compelling human dramas reveal how our identities are created by different functions within the brain. They show how modern neuroscience can help to explain the changes in behaviour that occur when our perception, attention, memory, motivation or empathy are altered. By understanding how our brains normally function, neurologists are bringing hope to patients with brain disorders and illuminating the human experience. The resulting journey will ignite new ideas about who we really are and why we act in the ways we do.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 8, 2025
Husain gives a modern version of Oliver Sacks here, wisely choosing not to update the formula of individual case studies combined with basic medical explanations too much. He is a skilled storyteller, and his subjects come to life. He also covers more common conditions, like Alzheimers, alongside the rarer. He makes a valiant effort to make the book upbeat - we have a few who can resume normal life - despite the somewhat unsettling subject matter. And unlike Sacks, his subjects come from, and are indicative of, modern London, making this feel like a more diverse representation of illness than perhaps we often get. I'm not as sure that the attempts to weave in a sense of time through fleeting references to Syria (incurred by his habit of using a newspaper to help understand how patients percieve the world) worked as well, but I appreciate the attempt. Id you like Sacks, you'll like this, and it would make a handy gift for anyone with a friend diagnosed with dementia or acquired brain injury, for example.
February 5, 2026
The author is a neurologist and, following in the footsteps of Sacks, recounts his most interesting clinical cases, placing them in both a neurobiological and historical context. Truly fascinating, and at the same time frightening, of course. Well written and with an eye to making it accessible to non-specialists, without however writing too simplistic or superficial.
L'autore é un neurologo e sulla scia di Sacks, racconta i suoi casi clinici piú interessanti, inquadrandoli sia in un contesto neurobilogico che storico. Veramente molto interessante, e allo stesso tempo spaventoso ovviamente. Ben scritto e con un occhio anche alla facilitá di comprensione da parte dei non adetti, senza peró scivolare nel semplicistico o superficiale.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
L'autore é un neurologo e sulla scia di Sacks, racconta i suoi casi clinici piú interessanti, inquadrandoli sia in un contesto neurobilogico che storico. Veramente molto interessante, e allo stesso tempo spaventoso ovviamente. Ben scritto e con un occhio anche alla facilitá di comprensione da parte dei non adetti, senza peró scivolare nel semplicistico o superficiale.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
February 20, 2026
I am a great beater of drums for less obvious book prizes and this deservedly won the Royal Society pop-science Prize last year. Husain is a highly respected Neurologist and Neuroscientist whose book does many things, some of them rather surprising things given the subject matter, extremely well.
The bulk of the book is devoted to chapters each covering a particular patient, Husain's original meeting with them, winkling out the nature of their illness, the history and social context of the illness, potential causes and treatments, and what happened to the patient. It is clear, engrossing on a personal level, complex medical and neurological issues are kept within a layperson's grasp. But the book's British patients are not all white middle class people and their illnesses are seen in the context of their cultural and personal backgrounds. Husain meets their families and friends where we learn what can happen to our social relations when our behaviour changes as a result of neurological conditions (we are not dealing with psychology or psychiatry here) since the book is framed within an individual's need to 'belong' to groups in a social psychology sense. Husain himself came from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) as a child and discusses his experiences as an immigrant.
Along the way we meet scientists and doctors from previous generations making groundbreaking discoveries, mad King George lll and his doctors, Dr Strangelove, Gabriel García Marquéz, visit the Bedlam madhouse, learn why you don't want to be thought to be possessed by a djinn or have untreated syphalis. And a host of other fascinating titbits.
A generous, humane book which genuinely causes you to ponder what it is to - as the title says - possess a 'self', how this self can be impaired and to what extent this self is simply the function of the grey organ we carry round in our skull or something more metaphysical.
The bulk of the book is devoted to chapters each covering a particular patient, Husain's original meeting with them, winkling out the nature of their illness, the history and social context of the illness, potential causes and treatments, and what happened to the patient. It is clear, engrossing on a personal level, complex medical and neurological issues are kept within a layperson's grasp. But the book's British patients are not all white middle class people and their illnesses are seen in the context of their cultural and personal backgrounds. Husain meets their families and friends where we learn what can happen to our social relations when our behaviour changes as a result of neurological conditions (we are not dealing with psychology or psychiatry here) since the book is framed within an individual's need to 'belong' to groups in a social psychology sense. Husain himself came from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) as a child and discusses his experiences as an immigrant.
Along the way we meet scientists and doctors from previous generations making groundbreaking discoveries, mad King George lll and his doctors, Dr Strangelove, Gabriel García Marquéz, visit the Bedlam madhouse, learn why you don't want to be thought to be possessed by a djinn or have untreated syphalis. And a host of other fascinating titbits.
A generous, humane book which genuinely causes you to ponder what it is to - as the title says - possess a 'self', how this self can be impaired and to what extent this self is simply the function of the grey organ we carry round in our skull or something more metaphysical.
June 22, 2025
I absolutely loved Our Brains, Our Selves – it felt like a modern-day continuation of the kind of work Oliver Sacks made so compelling (an absolute fave of mine). Masud Husain brings real empathy and clarity to complex neurological conditions, blending vivid patient stories with science in a way that’s both informative and deeply human. From memory loss to delusions and everything in between, each chapter gave me a new appreciation for how fragile and fascinating our brains really are. It’s the kind of book I’ll be recommending to anyone remotely curious about the mind. Insightful and beautifully written.
April 13, 2025
This was a relatively straightforward read, and I quite enjoyed the individual stories within each chapter.
Overall it didn’t quite gel for me - a series of individual diagnoses but no more.
Overall it didn’t quite gel for me - a series of individual diagnoses but no more.
May 12, 2025
Engaging, informative, fascinating, great storytelling.
December 21, 2025
People with Parkinson’s disease have slowness of movement, rigidity and tremor. They lose the swing of their arms when they walk, they may develop poor balance and a stooped posture. However, we now appreciate that there are several neurological conditions which have some of these Parkinsonian features, but which are not Parkinson’s disease.
‘It’s a bizarre thing to explain to someone, but my right arm and leg have been acting kind of strangely.’ ‘In what way?’ She hesitated. ‘I can be reading in bed and suddenly realise that I don’t know where my right hand is, but if I look at it, it will be there. The same can happen with my right leg. I can be sitting on the bus and become unaware where it is. Before I know it, someone has tripped over my foot because it is in the middle of the aisle.’
A compelling read. This work details 7 different cases of neurodegeneration caused by a multiplicity of factors. As I was reading, I could think of at least 3 people I know who suffer one or other of these conditions and relate to what Husain explains are the social consequences of the loss of a specific indentity construct. The author follows in the footsteps of Oliver Sacks in popularising brain conditions and explaining them to the layman. At the same time he has his own style and his many asides on his own daily thoughts on the tube on a park bench in his office make this read very relatable. And very humane.
‘It’s a bizarre thing to explain to someone, but my right arm and leg have been acting kind of strangely.’ ‘In what way?’ She hesitated. ‘I can be reading in bed and suddenly realise that I don’t know where my right hand is, but if I look at it, it will be there. The same can happen with my right leg. I can be sitting on the bus and become unaware where it is. Before I know it, someone has tripped over my foot because it is in the middle of the aisle.’
A compelling read. This work details 7 different cases of neurodegeneration caused by a multiplicity of factors. As I was reading, I could think of at least 3 people I know who suffer one or other of these conditions and relate to what Husain explains are the social consequences of the loss of a specific indentity construct. The author follows in the footsteps of Oliver Sacks in popularising brain conditions and explaining them to the layman. At the same time he has his own style and his many asides on his own daily thoughts on the tube on a park bench in his office make this read very relatable. And very humane.
September 27, 2025
I am forever impressed by how the brain works, and it's fascinating to see what happens when the brain _doesn't_ work.
This book describes seven patients with seven different neurological conditions. I would've loved to see more! The book requires no prior knowledge of the brain/neuroscience. It's written in a very accessible way, with some tidbits of history in there as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I'd heartily recommend this to anyone who's looking for a solid science read.
This book describes seven patients with seven different neurological conditions. I would've loved to see more! The book requires no prior knowledge of the brain/neuroscience. It's written in a very accessible way, with some tidbits of history in there as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I'd heartily recommend this to anyone who's looking for a solid science read.
December 15, 2025
In the same vein as The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by the great Dr Oliver Sacks, one of my all-time favourite books. Loved the insightful tangents as well as following patients from diagnosis to follow-up. It's surreal to think that something as amorphous, abstract & large as our personality is dependent on a small patch of cells & synapses and that damage to a tiny area can dramatically change who we are.
April 26, 2025
A book which could have been really great, but lacks depth or breath in the subject matter to be especially worth recommending.
An Oxford University neurologist, Masud Husain's book aims to use seven case studies from his own clinical practice, to demonstrate truisms about the nature of self. If someone is minded to read this book, the conclusion does a really neat job of summing up all the main parts of the whole book. That is not a criticism, though it does speak to the substance within the body of the book. There are examples here of people forgetting the name of things, people experiencing drastic personality changes, and people unable to control their own limbs. Some of them contain interesting facts about neuroscience, though none of them leave a particularly strong impression other than "the brain is very complicated".
Indeed, a lot of this book is impressionistic. Husain tells stories about people rather than analysing situations. It is a good book for offering a range of views on how brain trauma impacts peoples lives, how randomly it can affect people and the frightening effects of what happens. However it did not really offer much actual teaching or knowledge about how the brain works or functions. It lacks a clear delineation of the science behind what is going on, and the social impact of what is happening. In many ways, that is a progressive approach to take, as one of the consequences is that biology and society are very obviously shown to interact to an almost inseparable level.
It is difficult to tell here what may have been editorialised, but the book does come across as slightly confused. At times Husain will go from explaining how a character has forgotten who her partner is, to lengthy explanations on the history of hot chocolate. Similar things happen when Husain takes time to explain the British partition of India or the unsubstantiated lies of the pro-Brexit campaign. It's the kind of thing a reader might suspect as an intrusive editor or overzealous publisher wanting to include, but on the other, this could easily be the author taking the opportunity to try to add substance to what may otherwise comfortably fit within 100 pages.
Overall, this is not a book I would recommend very strongly. I had hoped it would offer a more substantial explanation of neurology and brain trauma, but it ends up being remarkably soft. That said, I'm not sorry to have read it, there is nothing materially wrong with Husain's approach here, and it would be to each reader to decide how effective the book is in what it is trying to accomplish.
An Oxford University neurologist, Masud Husain's book aims to use seven case studies from his own clinical practice, to demonstrate truisms about the nature of self. If someone is minded to read this book, the conclusion does a really neat job of summing up all the main parts of the whole book. That is not a criticism, though it does speak to the substance within the body of the book. There are examples here of people forgetting the name of things, people experiencing drastic personality changes, and people unable to control their own limbs. Some of them contain interesting facts about neuroscience, though none of them leave a particularly strong impression other than "the brain is very complicated".
Indeed, a lot of this book is impressionistic. Husain tells stories about people rather than analysing situations. It is a good book for offering a range of views on how brain trauma impacts peoples lives, how randomly it can affect people and the frightening effects of what happens. However it did not really offer much actual teaching or knowledge about how the brain works or functions. It lacks a clear delineation of the science behind what is going on, and the social impact of what is happening. In many ways, that is a progressive approach to take, as one of the consequences is that biology and society are very obviously shown to interact to an almost inseparable level.
It is difficult to tell here what may have been editorialised, but the book does come across as slightly confused. At times Husain will go from explaining how a character has forgotten who her partner is, to lengthy explanations on the history of hot chocolate. Similar things happen when Husain takes time to explain the British partition of India or the unsubstantiated lies of the pro-Brexit campaign. It's the kind of thing a reader might suspect as an intrusive editor or overzealous publisher wanting to include, but on the other, this could easily be the author taking the opportunity to try to add substance to what may otherwise comfortably fit within 100 pages.
Overall, this is not a book I would recommend very strongly. I had hoped it would offer a more substantial explanation of neurology and brain trauma, but it ends up being remarkably soft. That said, I'm not sorry to have read it, there is nothing materially wrong with Husain's approach here, and it would be to each reader to decide how effective the book is in what it is trying to accomplish.
May 7, 2025
Excellant
Easy yo read and understand the brain through case studies. The writing is absorbing and descriptive wirh a good background of clinical information. An excellant read.
Easy yo read and understand the brain through case studies. The writing is absorbing and descriptive wirh a good background of clinical information. An excellant read.
March 15, 2025
Excellent in many ways. Accessible and very knowledgeable
February 21, 2026
A very interesting read on personal ( and social ) identity and how it emerges from the brain. There are 7 cases of patients where each one describes a certain change in the personal self of the patient and their acceptance in their social circle ( social identity ) affected by the neurological condition they have.
There is obviously some neurology stuff, the disorders, their symptoms, causes, their treatments, brain regions where they affect which the reader might not be familiar with but it's not too much to derail the reading flow. Things are explained to the depth they should to a reader new to the `Society of Mind`.
Each case might give you some completely new information and which might seem bizarre at first. The brain is a super complex machinery and the nervous system is an elegantly designed network. You would appreciate the working of the brain and respect it more after reading this book, that's for sure. The things whose functioning we take for granted, they might not be. Everything from perception to a simple movement of your limbs involves a highly sophisticated process and brain processes that you would be surprised to know about.
Conditions such as visual hallucinations, pathological apathy and like these which might be diagnosed quickly ( and falsely ) to madness and insanity at first glance might be a neurological condition. There is not much widespread knowledge of this distinction and a lot of people seemingly declared by the society might be treated if this awareness of this distinction is made in public. A lot of stigma, social exclusion, superstitious assumptions are often associated with these false diagnoses which does not allow for the normal treatment that the patient should get.
There is a discussion on the concept of self ( personal and social identity ) and various prominent philosophers take on this idea which is quite interesting. This book can definitely spark an interest in someone who might be looking for a detailed study of psychology, neurology or in general, our amazing brain.
There is obviously some neurology stuff, the disorders, their symptoms, causes, their treatments, brain regions where they affect which the reader might not be familiar with but it's not too much to derail the reading flow. Things are explained to the depth they should to a reader new to the `Society of Mind`.
Each case might give you some completely new information and which might seem bizarre at first. The brain is a super complex machinery and the nervous system is an elegantly designed network. You would appreciate the working of the brain and respect it more after reading this book, that's for sure. The things whose functioning we take for granted, they might not be. Everything from perception to a simple movement of your limbs involves a highly sophisticated process and brain processes that you would be surprised to know about.
Conditions such as visual hallucinations, pathological apathy and like these which might be diagnosed quickly ( and falsely ) to madness and insanity at first glance might be a neurological condition. There is not much widespread knowledge of this distinction and a lot of people seemingly declared by the society might be treated if this awareness of this distinction is made in public. A lot of stigma, social exclusion, superstitious assumptions are often associated with these false diagnoses which does not allow for the normal treatment that the patient should get.
There is a discussion on the concept of self ( personal and social identity ) and various prominent philosophers take on this idea which is quite interesting. This book can definitely spark an interest in someone who might be looking for a detailed study of psychology, neurology or in general, our amazing brain.
December 8, 2025
I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Masud Husain in his capacity as narrator. On the one hand, this book is precisely what I was looking for in terms of a greater understanding about the different areas of the brain and how damage to a particular region can affect the way we behave and our sense of identity. On the other hand, he has this bizarre habit of shoehorning in totally irrelevant information about himself that reeks of narcissism. He also has an obsession with the Syrian Civil War, which is brought up in every chapter but has only the most oblique relationship to the topic of the book.
The concept of the book is a clever one, using a series of neurological cases to elucidate the functions of the brain, then progressing to the way brain function affects identify and sociological behaviors.
I found the neurological aspects very interesting, especially learning about the brain and how it is affected by stroke or disease. Husain explains these beautifully and succinctly - it's during these moments that he really shines as an author. The sociological aspects, unfortunately, are less interesting, and you could pretty much summarise the conclusions as 'having issues with brain function can be isolating' - well, duh. It's only in the last chapter that it begins to get some depth, but it certainly isn't woven into the fabric of the book.
I couldn't help but think back to the Emperor of Maladies, written by Siddhartha Mukherjee - who, incidentally, is a narrator I was quite happy to spend time with. His work is the gold standard to which I hold this type of popular medical science book, and by contrast there are a number of shortcomings in Our Brains, Our Selves.
That said, I would still have no qualms recommending this book to anybody interested in learning more about neuroscience.
The concept of the book is a clever one, using a series of neurological cases to elucidate the functions of the brain, then progressing to the way brain function affects identify and sociological behaviors.
I found the neurological aspects very interesting, especially learning about the brain and how it is affected by stroke or disease. Husain explains these beautifully and succinctly - it's during these moments that he really shines as an author. The sociological aspects, unfortunately, are less interesting, and you could pretty much summarise the conclusions as 'having issues with brain function can be isolating' - well, duh. It's only in the last chapter that it begins to get some depth, but it certainly isn't woven into the fabric of the book.
I couldn't help but think back to the Emperor of Maladies, written by Siddhartha Mukherjee - who, incidentally, is a narrator I was quite happy to spend time with. His work is the gold standard to which I hold this type of popular medical science book, and by contrast there are a number of shortcomings in Our Brains, Our Selves.
That said, I would still have no qualms recommending this book to anybody interested in learning more about neuroscience.
January 4, 2026
Our Brains, Our Selves by Masud Husain is an accessible and engaging introduction to neuroscience, guided by a thoughtful and humane narrator. As the reader is introduced to key brain regions—the basal ganglia, temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes—they gradually become part of one’s active vocabulary, their functions vividly illustrated through stories of Dr Husain’s patients.
While describing the process of establishing diagnoses, the author takes brief but illuminating excursions into the history of neurology and offers insights into current medical practices, as well as the limitations of modern treatments and medications.
However, this book is far more than a collection of intriguing clinical case studies. Husain repeatedly returns to a central question: what is the self? He presents identity as a composition of multiple cognitive processes, showing that the loss of a single faculty does not necessarily erase one’s sense of self. Identity, he argues, is not only individual but also social. Group membership—and, conversely, exclusion—often depends on conformity to social markers such as language, behaviour, and humour, which can be lost or difficult to acquire after brain injury.
Dr Husain reflects on the challenges of building and maintaining a social identity through both his patients’ experiences and his own personal story, giving the book emotional depth alongside its scientific rigour.
For anyone curious about the brain, its common disorders, and contemporary treatments, this is an enjoyable and rewarding read. What I appreciated most was the author’s presence throughout the book—his empathy, patience, and respect for even the most challenging patients. Though a work of non-fiction, the book often reads like a novel, thanks to Husain’s skilful storytelling, and it ultimately renewed my respect for the medical profession.
While describing the process of establishing diagnoses, the author takes brief but illuminating excursions into the history of neurology and offers insights into current medical practices, as well as the limitations of modern treatments and medications.
However, this book is far more than a collection of intriguing clinical case studies. Husain repeatedly returns to a central question: what is the self? He presents identity as a composition of multiple cognitive processes, showing that the loss of a single faculty does not necessarily erase one’s sense of self. Identity, he argues, is not only individual but also social. Group membership—and, conversely, exclusion—often depends on conformity to social markers such as language, behaviour, and humour, which can be lost or difficult to acquire after brain injury.
Dr Husain reflects on the challenges of building and maintaining a social identity through both his patients’ experiences and his own personal story, giving the book emotional depth alongside its scientific rigour.
For anyone curious about the brain, its common disorders, and contemporary treatments, this is an enjoyable and rewarding read. What I appreciated most was the author’s presence throughout the book—his empathy, patience, and respect for even the most challenging patients. Though a work of non-fiction, the book often reads like a novel, thanks to Husain’s skilful storytelling, and it ultimately renewed my respect for the medical profession.
December 23, 2025
How Brain Changes Rewrite Us: A Fascinating, Frightening Tour of Identity, Personality, and Relationships
Masud Husain’s "Our Brains, Our Selves" is an absorbing and sometimes unsettling exploration of how fragile identity becomes when the brain is even slightly altered. The overall conceit of the book is both intriguing and engaging, raising several interesting ideas about what makes us who we are, yet it remains accessible and easy to read for non-specialists.
The book circles a deceptively simple question: what makes us who we are? I find myself returning to it constantly. Our personal traits define us, both in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, yet their origins remain obscure. Our traits also shape how others respond to us and how we find a place within our particular web of relationships; this book shows how alterations in those traits can abruptly endanger those very bonds. The prospect is deeply disquieting. Is it possible to wake up one day as someone fundamentally different? Told through a series of short case studies, each chapter is compelling in its own right; together, they form a thought‑provoking portrait of how precarious our sense of self can be.
Two examples are especially memorable. David, a once-driven young professional transformed into someone eerily apathetic after tiny strokes to his basal ganglia, shows how motivation itself can vanish when a single network fails. Anna, assaulted as a teenager and later plagued by an “alien” hand she cannot fully control, vividly illustrates how even one injured brain region can estrange a person from her own body. Throughout, Husain’s humane storytelling and clear explanations make this frightening material mesmerizing rather than merely clinical.
Masud Husain’s "Our Brains, Our Selves" is an absorbing and sometimes unsettling exploration of how fragile identity becomes when the brain is even slightly altered. The overall conceit of the book is both intriguing and engaging, raising several interesting ideas about what makes us who we are, yet it remains accessible and easy to read for non-specialists.
The book circles a deceptively simple question: what makes us who we are? I find myself returning to it constantly. Our personal traits define us, both in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, yet their origins remain obscure. Our traits also shape how others respond to us and how we find a place within our particular web of relationships; this book shows how alterations in those traits can abruptly endanger those very bonds. The prospect is deeply disquieting. Is it possible to wake up one day as someone fundamentally different? Told through a series of short case studies, each chapter is compelling in its own right; together, they form a thought‑provoking portrait of how precarious our sense of self can be.
Two examples are especially memorable. David, a once-driven young professional transformed into someone eerily apathetic after tiny strokes to his basal ganglia, shows how motivation itself can vanish when a single network fails. Anna, assaulted as a teenager and later plagued by an “alien” hand she cannot fully control, vividly illustrates how even one injured brain region can estrange a person from her own body. Throughout, Husain’s humane storytelling and clear explanations make this frightening material mesmerizing rather than merely clinical.
September 12, 2025
There are knowledge-enhancing stories in this book to learn about how some crucial aspects of the quality of our lives seriously depend on our brains functioning without anomaly. There are seven cases of brain anomalies here that the author took care of and shares his enlightening neuroscience insight. His prose is attention grabbing and easy to understand with proper neuroscience background provided for each case of brain anatomy discussed. It is also pleasant to know that there is cure or alleviation for each of the ailments. The author also adds a bit more charms to this book by some narratives of dramatic trials and tribulations of his patients.
One treasure from this book is to learn that neurologists have several simple physical, neurological, and cognitive test methods to check their patients for any deficiencies that we the general public can also use to test ourselves. Do not miss all these tests.
Funny, when reading about the case of frontal lobe dysfunction in which the afflicted becomes "disinhibited", suddenly the image of D. J. Trump emerges into my mind!?! Some brain doctor should have had his brain scanned and analyzed for the sake of sensibility and democracy! Actually, his entire cabinet should be subject to the analyses!
These cautionary neurological tales serve to remind readers not to wait until the pond dries up to realize its consequences (in may cases, they cannot even realize it!). Learning and practicing healthy foods, healthy lifestyle is the most valuable skill to acquire for sustaining our life quality.
In the end, this book enables readers to see that weird behaviors have their root causes in the brain's health. The only thing I hope some more from this book is that the author provided some more cases. For those who want to digest more on this same mind blowing neuroscience, I highly recommend this book: Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique which also discusses several same brain anomalies as Dr. Husain's book but with much more about brain science as this book is quite thick. This book also adds even some more insights into the earnest importance of our brain: Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. The case of Texas University Shooter in 1966 is so mesmerizingly enlightening. This last book is very much in the sale vein as Dr. Husain's book, only more mind-blowing cases of brain anomalies: Matter of Mind: A Neurologist's View of Brainbehavior Relationships. All these books enable readers to recognize and understand so many weird behaviors, from the fatal to the annoying!
One treasure from this book is to learn that neurologists have several simple physical, neurological, and cognitive test methods to check their patients for any deficiencies that we the general public can also use to test ourselves. Do not miss all these tests.
Funny, when reading about the case of frontal lobe dysfunction in which the afflicted becomes "disinhibited", suddenly the image of D. J. Trump emerges into my mind!?! Some brain doctor should have had his brain scanned and analyzed for the sake of sensibility and democracy! Actually, his entire cabinet should be subject to the analyses!
These cautionary neurological tales serve to remind readers not to wait until the pond dries up to realize its consequences (in may cases, they cannot even realize it!). Learning and practicing healthy foods, healthy lifestyle is the most valuable skill to acquire for sustaining our life quality.
In the end, this book enables readers to see that weird behaviors have their root causes in the brain's health. The only thing I hope some more from this book is that the author provided some more cases. For those who want to digest more on this same mind blowing neuroscience, I highly recommend this book: Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique which also discusses several same brain anomalies as Dr. Husain's book but with much more about brain science as this book is quite thick. This book also adds even some more insights into the earnest importance of our brain: Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. The case of Texas University Shooter in 1966 is so mesmerizingly enlightening. This last book is very much in the sale vein as Dr. Husain's book, only more mind-blowing cases of brain anomalies: Matter of Mind: A Neurologist's View of Brainbehavior Relationships. All these books enable readers to recognize and understand so many weird behaviors, from the fatal to the annoying!
January 16, 2026
Neuroscience and Neurology is one of my special interest when it comes to nonfiction, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.
The concept is quite reminiscent of Oliver Sack‘s books, which I really enjoyed. The central question posed by the Author, a neurologist and neuroscientist at the university of Oxford, is what makes us who we are? Using the story of several of his patients, we get a glimpse of what a possible answer might be. The reader is taken along from the moment he meets the patients, to their relevant background and any symptoms they are experiencing, to making a differential diagnosis and the tests performed to verify his suspicions as well as treatment options, and why they might work or might not work, are explained well and in a way that is easy to understand, even for someone who is no neuroscientist.
It was evident that the author thought of his patients not just as individual people, but also as people who are part of their own social and cultural groups and the significance this holds when making decisions of any kind, which I highly appreciated.
Throughout these different stories the reader also learns of historical events that might be relevant or interesting in the context of the story.
Only critique point I have, is that the writing style felt a bit long-winded, especially in the beginning and the very end.
All in all I really enjoyed reading this book and the insights it gave into neuroscience and how f.e. the loss of function in particular regions of the brain can have profound consequences on our sense of „self“.
Thanks to Netgalley and Canongate Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The concept is quite reminiscent of Oliver Sack‘s books, which I really enjoyed. The central question posed by the Author, a neurologist and neuroscientist at the university of Oxford, is what makes us who we are? Using the story of several of his patients, we get a glimpse of what a possible answer might be. The reader is taken along from the moment he meets the patients, to their relevant background and any symptoms they are experiencing, to making a differential diagnosis and the tests performed to verify his suspicions as well as treatment options, and why they might work or might not work, are explained well and in a way that is easy to understand, even for someone who is no neuroscientist.
It was evident that the author thought of his patients not just as individual people, but also as people who are part of their own social and cultural groups and the significance this holds when making decisions of any kind, which I highly appreciated.
Throughout these different stories the reader also learns of historical events that might be relevant or interesting in the context of the story.
Only critique point I have, is that the writing style felt a bit long-winded, especially in the beginning and the very end.
All in all I really enjoyed reading this book and the insights it gave into neuroscience and how f.e. the loss of function in particular regions of the brain can have profound consequences on our sense of „self“.
Thanks to Netgalley and Canongate Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2026
Our Brains, Our Selves is a beautifully written and deeply humane work of narrative science—one that blends clinical insight with storytelling in a way that feels both accessible and profound. Masud Husain draws on seven remarkable patient cases from across his career, each one illuminating a different facet of how the brain shapes who we are, how we behave, and how we understand ourselves.
What makes the book so compelling is the compassion threaded through every chapter. Husain doesn’t simply present neurological puzzles; he introduces us to people—individuals whose lives have been upended by strokes, injuries, or rare disorders that alter memory, language, inhibition, or perception. A man who suddenly loses his words, a woman whose personality shifts dramatically, another who mistakes her own husband for a stranger—each case is presented with clarity, curiosity, and respect.
The result is a narrative that feels as much about humanity as it is about neuroscience. Husain guides readers through complex concepts with elegant simplicity, showing how identity is not a fixed essence but a dynamic interplay of brain systems that can falter, adapt, and sometimes astonishingly recover. The stories are moving, occasionally unsettling, and always thought‑provoking.
This is the kind of book that lingers—one that expands your understanding of the mind while reminding you how delicate and extraordinary it is to be human. A fascinating, insightful read for anyone interested in the mysteries of the brain and the stories that reveal who we truly are.
with thanks to Masud Husain, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What makes the book so compelling is the compassion threaded through every chapter. Husain doesn’t simply present neurological puzzles; he introduces us to people—individuals whose lives have been upended by strokes, injuries, or rare disorders that alter memory, language, inhibition, or perception. A man who suddenly loses his words, a woman whose personality shifts dramatically, another who mistakes her own husband for a stranger—each case is presented with clarity, curiosity, and respect.
The result is a narrative that feels as much about humanity as it is about neuroscience. Husain guides readers through complex concepts with elegant simplicity, showing how identity is not a fixed essence but a dynamic interplay of brain systems that can falter, adapt, and sometimes astonishingly recover. The stories are moving, occasionally unsettling, and always thought‑provoking.
This is the kind of book that lingers—one that expands your understanding of the mind while reminding you how delicate and extraordinary it is to be human. A fascinating, insightful read for anyone interested in the mysteries of the brain and the stories that reveal who we truly are.
with thanks to Masud Husain, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
October 26, 2025
An interesting insight into the brain and how it works it, it also explores what determines “self” and important skills that make us accepted by society.
As someone who has moved to live in another country it really resonated with me how much language represents a part of yourself and how hard it is to portray yourself without it. Not only that but its hard to integrate into the new society and it can be very isolating. Interestingly it also links to motivation which was inhibited in another patient the author described. When I couldn’t communicate in the language of my new country I also became extremely shy and it was hard to motivate myself to do simple tasks. It’s really interesting to read in this book about patients where only one specific aspect of their brain/personality is inhibited because in reality everything is interconnected.
As someone who has moved to live in another country it really resonated with me how much language represents a part of yourself and how hard it is to portray yourself without it. Not only that but its hard to integrate into the new society and it can be very isolating. Interestingly it also links to motivation which was inhibited in another patient the author described. When I couldn’t communicate in the language of my new country I also became extremely shy and it was hard to motivate myself to do simple tasks. It’s really interesting to read in this book about patients where only one specific aspect of their brain/personality is inhibited because in reality everything is interconnected.
November 11, 2025
Hussain takes the reader through seven cases he has seen in his practice as a neurologist. Each is less of a detective story and more of a puzzle than he and his patient (or their family) are trying to solve together. As he works the problem he discusses the history of neurology, its treatments, and the wider meaning of self.
As the immediate diagnoses come through, and people begin to treat their original issues, Hussain talks about the wider implications of their new selves and what it means to integrate into society as someone with a condition. In some cases treatments are easy and results are clear. In others, Hussain shows us how changes in the brain can change our "selves" for everyone around us.
As the immediate diagnoses come through, and people begin to treat their original issues, Hussain talks about the wider implications of their new selves and what it means to integrate into society as someone with a condition. In some cases treatments are easy and results are clear. In others, Hussain shows us how changes in the brain can change our "selves" for everyone around us.
January 19, 2026
3.5 rounded up to a 4
This was interesting and I learned a bunch. I could've done without the a little bit contrived oh and then on my way home I happened to come across a side that happens to pertain to the disease in talking about. it's okay, just tell us the history, we obviously care and want to know. While he takes great care to paint his patients in great light, his trainees don't fare so well and something about that didn't sit 100% right with me. The last chapter about philosophy and the self kind of came out of nowhere after the case studies but again it was quite interesting if a bit superficial.
There's a bunch more I could say but that's enough for now. overall I enjoyed it, it kept me entertained and wanting to continue reading and as I said I learned a bunch.
This was interesting and I learned a bunch. I could've done without the a little bit contrived oh and then on my way home I happened to come across a side that happens to pertain to the disease in talking about. it's okay, just tell us the history, we obviously care and want to know. While he takes great care to paint his patients in great light, his trainees don't fare so well and something about that didn't sit 100% right with me. The last chapter about philosophy and the self kind of came out of nowhere after the case studies but again it was quite interesting if a bit superficial.
There's a bunch more I could say but that's enough for now. overall I enjoyed it, it kept me entertained and wanting to continue reading and as I said I learned a bunch.
November 2, 2025
Trying to copy Oliver Sacks.
Half of the book is comprised of medical cases which are heavily "dramatised" at best and most likely completely fabricated. They are full of pointless details not relevant to the medical aspects that the author is trying to explain and randomly splattered with purple prose about foreboding skies.
The other half is complaining about how evil and racist UK is. At one point it complains about how few doctors there are in Pakistan. This book is written by a Pakistani doctor. Living in the UK. I don't know what neurological disorder stops you from seeing the irony of this but the good doctor should investigate himself.
Half of the book is comprised of medical cases which are heavily "dramatised" at best and most likely completely fabricated. They are full of pointless details not relevant to the medical aspects that the author is trying to explain and randomly splattered with purple prose about foreboding skies.
The other half is complaining about how evil and racist UK is. At one point it complains about how few doctors there are in Pakistan. This book is written by a Pakistani doctor. Living in the UK. I don't know what neurological disorder stops you from seeing the irony of this but the good doctor should investigate himself.
October 11, 2025
Well written and interesting
This is an explanation of the origin of self using 7 case studies of people who have suffered different impairments in their brains. Each case is different but all are described in such a way that they capture your interest and empathy. The relationship between self identity and social identity is examined in terms of the effects of each the personality changes induced by the brain pathology and each case is firmly placed in its own historical perspective. I found this book to be fascinating and really well written. Highly recommended.
This is an explanation of the origin of self using 7 case studies of people who have suffered different impairments in their brains. Each case is different but all are described in such a way that they capture your interest and empathy. The relationship between self identity and social identity is examined in terms of the effects of each the personality changes induced by the brain pathology and each case is firmly placed in its own historical perspective. I found this book to be fascinating and really well written. Highly recommended.
March 27, 2025
I picked this up as I have booked to see Masud Husain talk at the Stratford Literary Festival. I suppose it wasn't quite what I was expecting /hoping for, however it was very interesting - fascinating really to understand how differently problems with the brain can cause people to behave. The case studies are very moving and it certainly encourages the reader to be more open minded and sympathetic.
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars. A very interesting book on the brain and how it affects our identity and our place in society. Husain looks at seven different cases and how the loss of a certain part of the brain affects the patient, their family, and friends and then explains the related part of the brain, how it can be treated and a bit on the history of treatment of mental illness in London. Overall, a very interesting book that I would recommend.
June 22, 2025
This is a book to make us all think, and it certainly does. I enjoyed the stories and learning about the mechanics of the brain. I felt it needed a little more summing up as 'so what' came to mind on completion. Or maybe that's the point, due to the brain's complexity? That said, definitely worth a read
January 3, 2026
Case studies of a neurologist’s patients with abnormal brain conditions. Really interesting to see what different injuries and conditions can cause. A bit clinical but in a good way. Left me wanting more of a position or a take on the overall mind, or maybe just more detail on the current understanding and debate around the brain and mind.
January 2, 2026
Современный Оливер Сакс. Не ставлю 5 звёзд, потому что не хватает глубины или ссылок на более серьезные работы.
Но мне нравится структура — каждый глава описание отдельного кейса из медицинской практики, на одном даже чуть не заплакал
Если интересуетесь нейробиологией, то очень рекомендую
Но мне нравится структура — каждый глава описание отдельного кейса из медицинской практики, на одном даже чуть не заплакал
Если интересуетесь нейробиологией, то очень рекомендую
January 30, 2026
The comparisons to Oliver Sacks and VS Ramachandran are appropriate, and Husain takes an approach that is just as humane and illuminating. But this book also offers a deft positioning of the described cases in the wider fabric of how we perceive the notion of our self and our place in the world
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