I am new to the forum, so hello everyone!

Can anyone recommend some books on cognitive science? In the last years so many books have been published, it's hard to pick a few to buy. I would be very glad if there are any experts here that have read *lots* of books, and can point me in the right direction.

What I am looking for in particular is this:
*Up-todate with the research
*Grounded in evolutionary psychology and neuroscience
*Text-bookish: Something you would read in a University (or actually do read).
*Preferably not too expensive (like MITECS)

There are lots of info on the net, but it's hard to get an overview of the mind - consilience and understanding. You just get confused.

/Thanks!

-ozy

Welcome, ozymandiaa !!

I feel sure somebody on-site will be able to recommend a book or two.
I have not read any recent ones I'm afraid.
I have sent you a Personal message with a list of some potential websites showing recent publications, in the hope that they may be different from those you have already tried.

To view your PM, just click on '1 new message' up at the top of the forum page [line 4, I think].

Enjoy your visits.

All the best, Bill.

Probably one of the best known and best cognitive science textbooks (about the size of the Yellow Pages) is The New Cognitive Neurosciences, 2ed by Gazzaniga et al

Although not stictly cognitive, Panksepp's "Affective Neuroscience" is excellent, and meets your criteria. It treats behavior less from a "black box" prospective (still a dominant framework in traditional cognitive science) and more from a evolutionary and neuroscience viewpoint. A bit heavy on the neuroanatomy for a first read, but great none the less. Good luck.

I think you can find all the basics and more in 'Principles of neuroscience', 4th edition (2000), by Kandel, Schwartz and Jessel.
I have seen it and just ordered it. Jan Lindeboom.

Check out Oliver Sacks’ 'The man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat' It's a good read

I tend to try and find the top three texts at increasing levels in any area i want to get into : Basic popular, degree and high level collation, is much easier than just one. One text will never really do it. Of course if it has to be one then the degree level one of course.

Currently for the brain i use

Basical popular level : Mapping the mind : rita carter. Quick, visual and a good all rounder for quickly grasping and reminding of concepts. £15.00

University level : Exploring the brain : many contributors. £25

High level : Fundamental neuroscience (1800 pages in small font. Massive). £60

When you have real curiosity for an aspect do you want to be limited by uni level ? Fundamental neuroscience is dense, and densely phrased. So one line can just give you that "ahah".

Also even with this density its soon becomes obvious it represents a fraction of whats really out there. J It makes you realise just how dumbed down the uni level text is, which is good to be reminded of from time to time.

in reverse some uni stuff can be difficult to get into when its boring. The rita carter book makes it interesting again.

for great down time reading, I recomend
"The User Illusion: Cutting Consiouness Down to Size" - Tor Norretranders

on the more science tip,
"Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory" - Howard Eichenbaum

I am still a student.., and nearly all what I know was from self reading..
There is a book that really really helped me, and I liked its way, and it is full of illustrative figures.
The books starts with you from novice reader "i.e me " then proceeds

its name is:
"Principles of neural sciences" by Eric R.Kandel

"The Synaptic Organization of the Brain", edited by Gordon Shepherd

I recommend
'Essentials of Neural Science and Behavior'
by Eric Kandel, James Schwartz, Thomas Jessel


Awesome neuroscience textbook, though a bit long (about 600-700 pages).
I totally enjoyed reading it last year.

That's true indeed about Mr Edelman.
I strongly recommend his book
'Brilliant Air, Light fire'