Rating: 
Summary: 10% Science
Review: This book is composed of 10% science, 10 % anectdotes, and 80% speculation. It would make a good 3 page article in the Sunday supplements if the gibberish were taken out. Such as p87 "Are our nighttime dreams of flying......nostalgic reminiscenes of those days gone by in the branches of the high forest?"
Rating: 
Summary: Dated now (1998), but nevertheless a good read!
Review: This book is over 20 years old now, but it is still a good introduction to studies of the brain and its evolution. I suggest you read this if you've never tried something like it before. If you already know something about the brain and its evolution, try a much more recent book :)
Rating:
Summary: Good overview of brain structure and evolution
Review: This book offers the non-technical reader a good overview of the functions of the different sections of the brain, alongside their evolutionary information. Through interesting examples, well researched data, and simple diagrams Sagen explains how our brain works, and speculates on how it might evolve in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but overreaching
Review: This book reveals many facinating new discoveries about the human brain. At the time of it's writing (1977) brain research was in a ferment. Many of the discoveries of that time still stand. Sagan's use of the english language makes it easy to read, and sometimes too easy. The reader might miss a key point.The problem is Sagan's desire to turn recent brain science into a simplistic attempt to explain the origin of myth and religious feeling. This is in line with Sagan's own views on religion. Sagan carefully uses speculative language, which means he stands behind nothing in the book. Let the reader beware that Sagan has a philosophy to sell as well as science.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but sketchy on facts
Review: This book was a joy to read, but it must definately be taken with a grain of salt. In attempting to justify a long evolution of the human psyche, Sagen credits our fear of snakes with the struggle between humans and dinosaurs and our fascination with the skies with our time spent in the treetops - a bit farfetched, I think. Some of the tidbits thrown in - that humans are the only animals who experience pain in childbirth, for instance - are completely fabricated. Yet I would still recommend this book, for the science presented is made fascinating by the surrounding speculation.
Rating:
Summary: Scientifically sound speculation on the human mind
Review: This is a book that should be read by all psychologists, psychiatrists, explorers of Artificial Intelligence or basically just anyone with an interest in what human intelligence is. If there is one thing that research in AI has taught us, it is that we really don't understand what intelligence is. The scientific credentials of Carl Sagan are impeccable, as he is one of the premier astronomers of this century. However, in this book he engages in speculation about the organization and structure of the human brain. In doing so, he also demonstrates that he himself is possessor of a brain of the first magnitude.
The title is derived from his thesis that the innate mammalian fear of reptiles is a genetic endowment left over from a titanic battle. Independent of the reasons, mammals emerged victorious, at least temporarily, in the evolutionary struggle for dominance. The remnants of that struggle live on in our myths and subconscious fears. Sagan's recounting and descriptions of those fears have major ramifications for the development of artificial intelligence. Our brains are constructed of several sections, all of which are overlays of a core that could rightly be considered reptilian. It would appear from this that the construction of an artificial intelligence should begin with a simple core followed by the continued construction of advanced overlays.
One of Sagan's major fields of effort was exobiology, the informed speculation about life and intelligence in places other than Earth. At this time, it is still a theoretical field, but that does not mean that it is not based on hard science. The speculations that he engages in in this book are also based on hard science, and an honest reading will force you to reconsider the construction of the human brain. Our primitive pieces occasionally rise to dominance, perhaps showing us what those mighty reptiles were really like.
Sagan is no longer with us, and his presence is sorely missed. However, he has left one of the most compelling legacies that will continue to enhance the human perspective for a long time. This book is a major contribution to that legacy and it is a book that everyone should read.
Rating:
Summary: "Animal Farm" revisited
Review: This is directed to reviewer Kitydy@hotmail.com: She is living proof that "all opinions are equal, but some opinions are more equal than others." Perhaps before becoming a "literary reviewer," she should study basic English and spelling...
Rating:
Summary: Sagan's Best
Review: This was the first book I read by Cark Sagan while in college. As a layman, I found it to be completely accessible and absolutely fascinating. Among the most memorable of his well-thought out and original theories are: his belief that man's inherent fears of snakes and heights can be traced back to his days as a tree-dwelling primate during which the snake constituted his only natural enemy; his idea that the ogres, elves, goblins, and "little people" that pop up in every culture's myths and fairy tales are genetic memories of a time when man's ancestors shared the earth with other intelligent humanoids; and his speculation that perhaps man is the only primate capable of verbal speech (chimpanzees and other primates are right on the brink, so to speak, as evidenced by their quick grasp of sign language) because his ancestors engaged in genocide against other linguistic humanoids- their primary competition. Sagan is best known as the man who popularized astronomy. But this book, one of his best, shows that he was just as interesting when he focused on man's origins, as opposed to his destination.
Rating:
Summary: Sagan's Best
Review: This was the first book I read by Cark Sagan while in college. As a layman, I found it to be completely accessible and absolutely fascinating. Among the most memorable of his well-thought out and original theories are: his belief that man's inherent fears of snakes and heights can be traced back to his days as a tree-dwelling primate during which the snake constituted his only natural enemy; his idea that the ogres, elves, goblins, and "little people" that pop up in every culture's myths and fairy tales are genetic memories of a time when man's ancestors shared the earth with other intelligent humanoids; and his speculation that perhaps man is the only primate capable of verbal speech (chimpanzees and other primates are right on the brink, so to speak, as evidenced by their quick grasp of sign language) because his ancestors engaged in genocide against other linguistic humanoids- their primary competition. Sagan is best known as the man who popularized astronomy. But this book, one of his best, shows that he was just as interesting when he focused on man's origins, as opposed to his destination.
Rating:
Summary: It's a shortcut to self-awareness
Review: What drew my attention to this fantastic book is that each chapter Dr. Sagan delivered us a complete chunk of knowledge about brain functioning. The information came in layers using a precise and simple vocabulary turnning this book in a real delight. The book credibility came from Sagan's writting style showing us clearly the difference between his opinions and science facts. After reading it you'll look to humans and beasts with a different perspective. Keep this book intact, you'll consult it constantly!
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