Understanding Cognitive Science

Rating:
Summary: Best introductory text, worst production values
Review: I've been teaching introductory cognitive science for about 6 years, to college sophmores. There's a real shortage of good textbooks written for this level. Dawson's book is head and shoulders above the rest. Dawson has a clear, consistent voice, which makes the book easy to use as a text. It is apparent to students that Dawson is writing with a point of view, which encourages them to approach to course with a critical eye. Most of this book's competitors are edited volumes where the chapters vary greatly in both quality and difficulty. I believe this book has improved my cognitive science course. The book has one minor drawback -- it is ugly as sin. A second edition with professional figures would be a blessing.