

John M. Henshaw
2012 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine
Ever wonder why some people have difficulty recognizing faces or why food found delicious in one culture is reviled in another? John M. Henshaw ponders these and other surprising facts in this fascinating and fast-paced tour of the senses.
From when stimuli first excite our senses to the near-miraculous sense organs themselves to the mystery of how our brain interprets senses, Henshaw explains the complex phenomena of how we see, feel, taste, touch, and smell. He takes us through the rich history of sensory perception, dating back to Aristotle’s...
2012 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine
Ever wonder why some people have difficulty recognizing faces or why food found delicious in one culture is reviled in another? John M. Henshaw ponders these and other surprising facts in this fascinating and fast-paced tour of the senses.
From when stimuli first excite our senses to the near-miraculous sense organs themselves to the mystery of how our brain interprets senses, Henshaw explains the complex phenomena of how we see, feel, taste, touch, and smell. He takes us through the rich history of sensory perception, dating back to Aristotle’s classification of the five main senses, and helps us understand the science and technology behind sensory research today.
A Tour of the Senses travels beyond our human senses. Henshaw describes artificial sensing technologies and instruments, unusual sensory abilities of the animal kingdom, and techniques for improving, rehabilitating, and even replacing sense organs.
This entertaining introduction to sensory science is a clever mix of research findings and real-world stories that helps us understand the complex processes that turn sensory stimuli into sophisticated brain responses.
A fine guide recommended for health and science general-interest collections.
When Henshaw told a casual acquaintance that he was writing a book about the senses, the response was 'The five senses?' He was quick to reply that there are more than five, and one goal of this book is to convince the reader that that is the case... One of the pluses of this book is its conversational tone and the use of anecdotes and examples.
A blend of research findings and real-world anecdotes about people's sensory experiences enlivens this historical view of the science behind perception.
This is an interesting book–an ideal gift for young biologists.
A Tour of the Senses is a fun book, which may be of interest to anyone who's ever wondered how the eye or ear works.
Well written, entertaining, and informative.
Henshaw has a remarkable ability to explain complex mathematics in a manner accessible to general readers.
It is easy to read, and Henshaw has a pleasant style of throwing himself into the action.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: Stimulus
1. Electromagnetic Stimuli
2. Chemical Stimuli
3. Mechanical Stimuli
4. The Science of Sensation
Part 2: Sensation
5. Vision
6. The Chemical Senses
7. The
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: Stimulus
1. Electromagnetic Stimuli
2. Chemical Stimuli
3. Mechanical Stimuli
4. The Science of Sensation
Part 2: Sensation
5. Vision
6. The Chemical Senses
7. The Mechanical Senses
Part 3: Perception
8. Remembering the Present
9. Perception and Culture
10. Perception and Education
Bibliography
Index
with Hopkins Press Books