I enjoy reading books about the workings of the brain and hearing the intriguing real-life stories of unique cases. Great for conversation as well.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Marc Dingman's "Bizarre" takes readers on a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of human behavior. With a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling finesse, Dingman delves into peculiar cases that challenge our understanding of the brain.

From the patient who fears slipping down the shower drain to the man convinced he's a cat and the woman who snacks on cigarette ashes, these cases are more than mere oddities. They offer profound insights into the intricacies of our minds. As neuroscientists grapple with these mysteries, they uncover essential details about brain function.

Dingman's writing is both informative and entertaining. He seamlessly weaves together scientific research, personal anecdotes, and historical context. Readers will be intrigued by the weird and wonderful things our brains do daily, often without our awareness or consent.

The book's strength lies in its ability to make complex neuroscience accessible. Dingman strikes a balance between depth and readability, making it ideal for curious minds and dinner-party conversations alike. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply fascinated by the human psyche, "Bizarre" offers a fresh perspective on the brain's inner workings.

Key points:

- The brain is simultaneously brilliant and bizarre.
- Neuroscientists learn from these peculiar cases.
- Gain a deeper appreciation for the stability of your reality.

In summary, "Bizarre" is a delightful exploration of the mind's quirks, leaving readers with a newfound wonder for the intricate organ that shapes our existence.

'Bizarre' by Marc Dingman is an intriguing exploration of unusual human behaviours and their connections to brain function. A fascinating read that offers insights into the complexities of the human mind.

"Bizarre: The Most Peculiar Cases of Human Behavior and What They Tell Us about How the Brain Works" by Marc Dingman takes readers on an intriguing exploration of the human mind, unraveling the intricacies of its most peculiar behaviors. With a perfect blend of captivating anecdotes and scientific insights, Dingman offers a compelling look into the bizarre aspects of the brain that both puzzle and enlighten.

The author skillfully introduces readers to a diverse range of cases, from the seemingly mundane to the downright extraordinary. Fear of slipping down the drain, belief in being a cat, and compulsive snacking on cigarette ashes might sound bizarre, but Dingman masterfully guides us through these cases, revealing the underlying neurological mechanisms at play. What emerges is a deeper understanding of how our brains function, showcasing the delicate balance between brilliance and peculiarity.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to make complex neuroscience accessible to a broad audience. Dingman's writing is engaging, peppered with humor, making it an enjoyable read for both those well-versed in neuroscience and those new to the subject. The book successfully demystifies the workings of the brain, inviting readers to marvel at its capabilities while embracing its quirks.

Beyond being a collection of oddities, "Bizarre" highlights the contributions of neuroscientists in unraveling the mysteries of these peculiar cases. Each story serves as a window into groundbreaking discoveries, emphasizing the crucial role these anomalies play in advancing our understanding of the brain. Dingman seamlessly weaves together scientific findings and real-life narratives, creating a narrative that is both educational and entertaining.

Whether you are a science enthusiast seeking a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of the brain or simply someone looking for extraordinary topics for dinner-party conversations, this book caters to a diverse audience. It offers not only a glimpse into the weird corners of the mind but also prompts reflection on the stability of our perceived reality.

In conclusion, "Bizarre" is a captivating journey that celebrates the marvels and eccentricities of the human brain. Marc Dingman's ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and wit makes this book a delightful read. It earns a solid four stars for its engaging narrative, informative content, and its knack for turning the peculiar into a gateway for understanding the fascinating world inside our heads.

This reminds me of the book version of "My Strange Addiction" TV show. The author is a neuroscientist and writes about why people do strange things. The author himself seems to be fascinated with this aspect of brain studies and behaviors. The different cases were interesting.

However, I became bored with this. It was interesting to a point but this was not what I was expecting to read with a title called "Bizarre." What is not bizarre is the disappointment with the context of this book. It could have been more than what was presented. There are other things with people that are more bizarre.

Cannot recommend. Thanks to NetGalley, Marc Dingman and Nicholas Breaklry Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available.

I think the brain is the final frontier…

Forget space – let’s figure out the human mind first! I really enjoyed this fact-filled but entertaining bird walk through the human psyche. Lycanthropy is really a thing – yes, it is. This could have been a book to actually hurt my brain but instead, rather than too-technical, it walked me easily through some really wild but interesting concepts. From people insisting they were dead to thinking they were werewolves, the real-life cases described ran the gamut from borderline horrifying to honestly, touching. Spanning decades, the stories were taken from case studies and doctor’s files, all the more intriguing because they were true. Adding the diagnosis or analysis of the patient’s symptoms or behaviours, meant a first-hand (or bed-side) view of observations and (hopefully) care…

Highly entertaining!

Those with an interest in neuroscience and human behavior might find it a suitable recommendation. The author notably excels at simplifying complex medical and scientific ideas, rendering them accessible to everyday readers.

Bizarre was a fascinating look at the brain and odd cases. I look forward to reading more books by Marc Dingman!

I'm writing this review in what I hope is the peak of this year's heat, and I can't help but thinking that if I concentrate on driving my thoughts away from the sweat beads I feel forming all over my body, then I will be able to bear it.

It's never short of amazing to think about the extraordinary power the brain holds. What we know it to be capable of and what we can't even fathom it could do if we knew how to unlock more of its power. How it can trick us into believing, perceiving, feeling, and doing all kinds of things.

Because yes, "tricking our brain into..." doesn't sound right anymore after reading this book. It's our brain that tricks us, is it not? Although, it's funny to think of it as a separate thing, when the truth is that the brain is as much part of us biologically as it is what makes us us; without it we just wouldn't… be. Think brain damage and its consequences.

Bizarre is a digestible read. For each chapter, the author covers a different theme and follows the same formula: starts out with an odd real-life case and then explains and theorizes how and where inside the brain it happens. There are visuals, footnotes, and examples of other cases along the way. I found the tone at times a bit awkward, though. As if it was trying to be cool but didn't quite achieve it.

Plenty of the syndromes and conditions discussed really are intriguing. I didn't know about aprosodia and found it very interesting. There's definitely a lot to learn.

Thank you, NetGalley and Nicholas Brealey Publishing, for a copy of this manuscript.

Marc Dingman has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and is a faculty member in the Department of Biobehavioral Health at Pennsylvania State University. In this book Dingman discusses the human brain, and disorders that result when the brain malfunctions.

Scientists generally acknowledge that our brain determines who we are at the most fundamental level, and disruptions to our brain function can drastically change our behavior and personality. Dingman uses specific examples to illustrate this, and writes, 'In this book, we'll examine cases of people who, because of some deleterious influence on their brain, had their typical experience with the world categorically transformed.' Dingman goes on to explain, 'While most of the unusual phenomena I'll discuss in this book are brought about by some adverse effect on the brain - such as trauma, a tumor, infection, stroke, or psychiatric condition - others are curious manifestations of an otherwise normal brain, the far end of the spectrum of human behavior.'

Some of the examples Dingman discusses seem bizarre, perhaps even funny, but the author emphasizes that these are real people who experienced considerable suffering, and they deserve respect.

For every patient Dingman cites, he describes the person's aberrant behavior or problem; depicts the parts of the brain involved (with illustrations); and offers some hypothesis about what might be going on in the brain to cause the symptoms. The book is accessible to the layperson, and doesn't require advanced knowledge of neurobiology.

Each chapter covers a different aspect of brain malfunction, including: Identification, Physicality, Obsessions, Exceptionalism, Intimacy, Personality, Belief, Communication, Suggestibility, Absence, Disconnection and Reality.

I'll provide some examples, to give a feel for the book.

🧠🧠 Cotard's syndrome is a rare mental disorder in which the affected person holds the delusional belief that they are dead; are decaying; are empty inside; don't exist; etc. Dingman describes several people with this affliction, one of whom he calls Will.

Following a motorcycle accident, Will - a 28-year-old stockbroker - fell into a coma. Will woke up several days later, and spent months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Will had ongoing problems like a stiff right leg and partial blindness, but most serious of all, Will thought he was dead.

Will's mother took him on a trip to South Africa, to help him recover, but the heat convinced Will he was in hell.....further proof that he was dead. Will speculated that his cause of death might be a blood infection; a vaccination for yellow fever; or AIDS (which he didn't have).

Dingman explains that Cotard's Syndrom starts with a brain dysfunction, such as a trauma or tumor. This malfunction causes symptoms of derealization (a sense that your environment and the events happening around you seem to be part of another world) and depersonalization (a feeling of disconnection from yourself and your surroundings). The author observes, Cotard's syndrome patients tend to assume that if there is something wrong with their experience, the problem likely originates with them, and "the explanation their brain lands on is that they are dead, decaying, possessed, or something else along those strange existential lines."

Dingman writes that these kinds of delusions result from damage to the 'plausibility-checking mechanism' in the right side of the brain, and he discusses the disorder in detail.

*****

🧠🧠 Lycanthropy is a condition in which people with brain malfunctions have the highly unusual belief that they are not human. Dingman explains that a search of the medical literature turns up descriptions of people who believed they could change into a cat, dog, wolf, cow, horse, frog, bee, snake, wild boar, goose, bird, and even a gerbil.

The author writes about several cases of lycanthropy in detail, including a woman he calls Aleyna. Aleyna was a 47-year-old female who suffered from depression. After several weeks of taking anti-depression medicine, Aleyna started sticking out her tongue for no reason, then quickly retracting it back into her mouth. Aleyna then said she had transformed into a snake....or rather that Aleyna was dead, and the devil had replaced her with a snake.

When Aleyna was brought to the hospital, she was tempted to bite (and kill) members of the hospital staff....and she did try to bite the hands of several hospital workers. Medication normally used for schizophrenic patients helped Aleyna, and she was released from the hospital.

Once again, Dingman notes that these kinds of symptoms demonstrate failure in the 'plausibility-checking mechanism' of the brain. In addition, these patients experience a problem with the 'mental representation of the body and its parts', which scientists call the body schema. Neurological disorders can generate an inaccurate body schema.

Researchers have identified several brain areas that may work together to form the body schema, including different parts of the cerebral cortex, or outer layer of the brain.

Dingman provides additional examples of lycanthropy, along with illustrations of the brain parts thought to be responsible.

*****

🧠🧠 In some people, brain dysfunction results in improvements in certain skills, or even savant-like talents. In fact, it's been suggested that people in general may possess latent unusual abilities. Dingman describes several 'sudden' savants, including a man called Derek Amato.

Derek was 40-years-old and at loose ends, without a permanent profession. Derek had owned a pressure-washing business; sold cars; did public relations for a non-profit organization; taught karate; delivered mail; and more. Then, on a visit to his home town, Derek hit his head while diving and suffered a serious concussion.

From then on Derek suffered from headaches, memory problems, and extreme sensitivity to light. He also developed a new talent. On seeing a keyboard in his friend's house, Derek was drawn to the instrument, and - though Derek never had piano lessons - he began to play with "the fluidity of a professional pianist." Derek "composed a new piece of music on the spot, smoothly interweaving chords and notes that had - up until that moment - been unknown to him." After that, Derek devoted his life to music.

Derek had 'acquired savant syndrome', defined as the sudden development of exceptional skills, usually after brain injury or disease. This condition is so rare that scientists have no real explanation for the syndrome.

The author describes various savants, such as people with extraordinary mathematical abilities; calendar skills (given a date, they immediately know the day of the week); artistic talents; and more.

****
Dingman did a deep dive into the neurological literature and describes a wide array of symptoms that might result from brain injuries or brain malfunctions. These encompass things like: people who think their loved ones have been replaced by lookalikes; people who can only see things on one side (right or left); people who feel their limbs don't belong to them and want them amputated; people with a compulsion to eat things that aren't food (hair, cigarette ashes, matches, etc.); people who fall in love with inanimate objects (such as the Eiffel Tower or safety pins); people who suddenly lose an ability, like reading or writing; people who abruptly start speaking with a foreign accent; and much more.

For each phenomenon Dingman describes, he gives the current thinking about the parts of the brain involved (with illustrations), how these parts of the brain interact with each other, and how the symptoms arise.

In his conclusion, Dingman points out that anyone, at any time, might suffer an accident or health crisis that damages the brain, or experience neurological changes associated with aging. In an interview, Dingman noted, "One of the things that writing this book really impressed upon me is that the sense of self – that we feel is immutable and is part of us throughout our entire lives – can be changed pretty easily through an event like a traumatic brain injury or a stroke. Many of the patients I talk about in the book had one event and the next day they were completely different for the rest of their lives."

Thus Dingman advises: "Take advantage of the functionality of your brain while you can: create memories, experience emotion, indulge in pleasure (and practice restraint), think deeply, engage your body - do all those things your brain permits you to do, and do them with great gusto."

The book is interesting and enlightening, and would appeal to a wide array of people interested in science and the brain.

Thanks to Netgalley, Marc Dingman, and Nicholas Brealey Publishing for a copy of the manuscript.

If you are a neuroscience enthusiast or have just started to understand the brain to understand yourself, Marc Dingman's Bizarre is a great addition to your repertoire of learning resources. Aside from explaining the functions of the different parts of the brain, it also illustrates the strange phenomena involving brain dysfunctions through real stories of people from different walks of life. The author also invites the readers to widen their perspective when it comes to the human condition concerning the inner workings of the brain.

A book about the brain without defining the function of each of its parts is like a map without any roads. The readers would be lost in grasping the stories and insights as they would become meaningless and unrelatable. Nomenclatures such as the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and occipital lobe can be a mouthful but they are important in understanding the brain mechanisms that govern human behavior. One example is the basal ganglia which help us talk by controlling the tongue positions in our mouth to produce the correct sound of a letter. It also controls our breathing and rhythm as we speak. Another part is the amygdala which evaluates emotions. When there's a threat, it activates the fight or flight response in our body, preparing the body to face the threat or to run away from it. The regions of the brain work together for us to survive and thrive.

However, brain mechanisms can be affected by certain brain conditions and produce atypical behaviors. For instance, one 46-year-old woman whose plausibility-checking mechanism was faulty complained that her brain and internal organs were gone. Contrarily, a man who hasn't learned to play the piano became a virtuoso after a concussion accident. More fascinating and strange but eye-opening stories like these are told in the book, making the book a page-turner as they sustained my curiosity until the last very page.

The brain is indeed amazing when it comes to what it can do to help us survive and thrive, but it is also equally astonishing when its mechanisms are altered by a condition that can massively affect a person's life. With this reality, Dingman encourages readers to recognize the brain’s wonder and get the most out of life using its power. “So, take advantage of the functionality of your brain while you still can: create memories, experience emotion, indulge in pleasure (and practice restraint), think deeply, engage your body—do all those things that your brain permits you to do, and do them with great gusto.” Life becomes more meaningful with the knowledge of neuroscience.

It is without a doubt that Bizarre is a must-read book about the brain. It explains the functionality of the brain, tells the stories of many people who have different brain wirings, and shows that the brain can be extraordinary or strange. It lets us see the brain's significance in our lives. If you are curious, I highly recommend that you read this book.

Thank you Marc Dingman and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I truly think about this book.

Thank you to the author, Nicholas Brealey US and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, the brain is absolutely the most fascinating organ in the endlessly fascinating human body. The author gives a clear - and for the layman easily accessible. - overview of the many ways in which dysfunction can manifest in the brain. It didn't read like a scientific paper, which I found very positive. At the same time, I did get the feeling the patients were not seen as human individuals, but as "Case A with diagnosis X" etc. This may have been due to ensuring the privacy of the patients presented, and the cases were discussed with sensitivity, so maybe it's just a hypersensitivity to this issue on my part.

Bizarre is a fascinating and unputdownable book on the weird and wonderful oddities and miracles of our brains. As someone who has a whole shelf dedicated to everything written by the illustrious Oliver Sacks, I knew that I was on to a winner if this could come anywhere close to as intriguing and entertaining as each of those; let's just say, it didn't disappoint. In fact, rarely have I discovered neuroscience covered in such an eminently readable style - Dingman has toed the line perfectly between keeping the backbone, depth and detail of what he's talking about and not introducing too much terminology that a layman may have trouble understanding. I feel anyone from teenagers right through to elder generations would find this both accessible and comprehensible.

The chapters titles, which give you an idea what will be discussed, are as follows: Identification; Physicality; Obsessions; Exceptionalism; Intimacy; Personality; Belief; Communication; Suggestibility; Absence; Disconnection; and Reality. In each chapter, several related illnesses or syndromes presumed through research to be precipitated or caused by brain abnormalities are explained, and examined and the narrative liberally and enthusiastically infused with a plethora of real-world examples of patients suffering from those conditions. They cover more widely known disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), hoarding behaviours and lycanthropy through to those that are lesser known, which goes for 99.9% of disorders in these pages. A must-read for anyone interested in neuroscience and how the human brain functions.

The human brain is an exquisite organ, but when things go wrong, the results can be terrifying, disturbing, or just plain strange. For anyone interested in neuroscience or human behavior, this book is fascinating, sometimes horrifying, and sometimes emotional. Written in an easy-to-read narrative style, the book is entertaining from start to finish.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The human brain is an amazing organ of the human body. If it wasn’t for the brain, you wouldn’t be able to read and interpret this review.

But reading and enjoying my review would fall under the category of normal activities. In the book “Bizarre: The Most Peculiar Cases of Human Behavior and What They Tell Us About How the Brain Works,” author Marc Dingman examines some of the more “bizarre” aspects of the human brain and those who suffer from various maladies. Some of the maladies are just plain weird, from the man who thought he was a cat, to the woman who was convinced she was dead, to why some people fall victim to cults.

One of my favorite authors is Oliver Saks and I believe I’ve read most of his books. Dr. Saks was a neurologist and author and his books focused on some of the more interesting aspects of how the brain works. I would definitely recommend “Bizarre: The Most Peculiar Cases of Human Behavior and What They Tell Us About How the Brain Works” to any Oliver Saks fans.

I really enjoyed reading this book despite knowing about most of the diseases or situations that author Marc Dingman examines. This is an easy read, despite the subject matter, and would be of interest to anyone who is a fan of Oliver Saks or is interested in the more unusual aspects of how our human brain works.

4/5 stars

[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]

This book shows some of the most bizarre behaviour of humans because of how sometimes the brain may act. Some of them were really interesting but other things were so bizarre, it sounded like they were taken out from a novel. It is an interesting read and with so many things to learn.

I am so glad this book exists because I could learn so much from it!
I couldn’t put it down because I always had to gasp on how interesting and sometimes unbelievable these cases were.
Ding man explained everything really well, like we’re used from his YouTube Channel, and I think it has awaken many people’s interest for neuroscience, which is really important.
If you want to learn more about neuroscience and be confronted with unexpected scenarios then this is going to be a super fun read to you!

Some fascinating case studies are catalogued in this book. The brain is indeed a bizarre organ if it can make you believe that you're an animal or that you're dead or that you're an inanimate object. There are also accounts of savants with superhuman cognitive abilities.

These are well-researched and generally interesting written-up accounts, but this collection didn't have lasting appeal for me.

They should make a documentary about the cases discussed in this book - it would be a great hit, and in my view it would make better viewing than a lot of the other Netflix documentaries out there.

The purpose of this book is to shock the reader with the full gamut of mental problems that neuroscientists and neuropsychologists can come across over the course of their careers.

It reads very much like an Oliver Sacks book on the same sorts of subjects, about how various neurological issues can make strikingly unexpected and barely fathomable psychological consequences.

For instance, there’s:
Cotard's syndrome, where the patient believes they are dead
Phantom limbs, whereby amputees feel pain in their missing limbs
Synesthesia, where the senses deliver mixed messages
Apraxia, where you may forget how to do things you once did everyday
Language disorders such as Broca’s aphasia or Wernicke’s aphasia
Dissociative disorder, such as multiple personality disorder

In my view, Dingman does a far better job of explaining the science behind these bizarre conditions than Sacks does. Although the chapters do focus a lot more on how these issues are viewed by outsiders, rather than on the studies and statistical data.

But that’s a good thing because this book is the sort to generate a spark of interest in neuroscience for the layman, who can use this book as a stepping stone to find out more through the sizable biography at the back of the book.

I would have loved to have seen more information on what happens to people’s brains when they are brainwashed into a cult, but of course studying that would require having a whole cult take fMRI scans or something similar. Which isn’t likely right now.

The other thing I would have liked to have seen more of in this book is more on the topic of neuroplasticity. Compartmentalisation of the brain may have much to teach us about why certain areas of the brain are better for some functions rather than others, but when it comes to overcoming issues, neuroplasticity describes how someone can make do in the event of neurological disruption.

Incidentally, as a writer (of sorts) I would love to be involved in writing the script if anyone did decide to fund a documentary on the subject matter in this great little book.

5 stars from me!

Thank you to Nicholas Brealey Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing read about how fragile the brain can be. BIZZARE included case studies of strange disorders of the brain and how human behavior is effected. This is Neuroscience 101 but don't panic however the author writes this in a very easy and readable fashion that novice will appreciate as well.