Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

Two Heads: A Graphic Exploration of How Our Brains Work with Other Brains was written by Uta Frith, Chris Frith, and Alex Frith, and illustrated by Daniel Locke. Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. Here, in Two Heads, their distinguished careers serve as a prism through which they share the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration, and empathy. Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, the professors examine the way that neuroscientific research is now focused on the fact we are a social species, whose brains have evolved to work cooperatively. They delve into a wide range of complex concepts and explain them with humor and clarity. You’ll discover what happens when people gather in groups, and how people behave when they’re in pairs—either pitted against each other or working together. Is it better to surround yourself with people who are similar to yourself, or different? And, are two heads really better than one?

Two Heads offers readers a solid understanding of the brain, and all it wonders and misfires. I like that opposing viewpoints are mentioned, and that the fact that these two experts openly admit that they disagree on some topics. I like how the text makes it clear what experts think they know, that there are various schools of thought, and just how much we still have to learn. It is when scientists or experts proclaim that we have all the answers that they loose credibility with me. I thought the illustrations were charming, and I liked the labels, humor, and hidden details which made each page more engaging and interactive. I think it was written in a very accessible style, with humor and explanations that really work. I found the personal touches and side comments made the book more entertaining and broke up some of the more intense teaching moments to help readers process. I think it is honestly approachable to any reader interested in the subject matter. As expected of a book from scholars and professionals, the footnotes and endpages were on point and well done. I think this would be a great addition to libraries, particularly graphic medicine collection (I will be recommending it for my own workplace just for that reason).

When I first picked this book to review, I was fooled by the title of “Two Heads” as I thought it was going to discuss the theory of right brain versus left brain.

Instead, I was treated to a really interesting voyage through experimental psychology with two worthy guides: Drs Uta and Chris Firth. Don’t let the idea of a comic book put you off as this is an ebook densely packed with psychological theories of how we interact with other human beings.

I was particularly interested in the research that Dr Uta Firth conducted in autism becoming an expert in the field. I have quite a few friends who fall onto the autistic spectrum, so that part of the book really helped me understand where some of my friends are coming from.

I wouldn’t call this book an easy read, in fact, it will take a lot of your concentration to follow some of the theories presented. But if your interest lies within the realm of psychology, you will definitely find it worth your while.

Excellent graphic nonfiction exploring the brain & mind and how they work, the careers of the Friths, and (very interestingly) going deep into science as a practice. For me, the parts about how they developed ideas, were influenced by collaborators, and created studies and dealt with their limitations were just as interesting to see discussed transparently as were the sections on neuroscience. I'll be reading this again.

I am not one for Nonfiction but when I saw this being offered, and in comic book style I thought I'd give it a go. There were even a few times I thought I'm more of a fiction gal I'm gonna not keep reading this, and yet everytime I opened the book, I read more and more.

One of my favorite things to have learned from this is about affordance, or the "we" mode. An understanding between humans that if you view someone as a friend or family that their space and the things in it are "ours".

I encourage everyone, even mostly fiction readers to pick up this book. There are a lot of amazing insights on how we are.