The ancient Egyptians practiced neuroscience and throughout the centuries, people began to make the connections between the brain and how manipulating different areas affected movement, pleasure, memories, hallucinations and speech. Modern neuroscientists made great discoveries into the realm of falling disease, epilepsy.

In the 1920s, two male neuroscientists met and became fast friends in their shared passion. Wilder Penfield and William Cone established the Montreal Neurological Institute - the Neuro - and the brain world made leaps and bounds. Cone's was content to be Chief Penfield's associate and made much less money. He was the most gifted surgeon of his time while Penfield was passionate about discoveries, research and wanted to know what made the brain tick. Penfield probed into the world of epilepsy and both worked in a "double harness" and were inseparable. They made breakthroughs on tumours, used local scalp anaesthetic and sewed fabric into the scalp for sanitation. Preventing infection was paramount. Epilepsy surgery was particularly tricky as it could trigger pain and hallucinations. The patients were anaesthetized during the surgeries, too, and were exposed to the terrifying saws and other instruments. Many patients continued to die (including a sister!) but as experience and knowledge grew, some patients began to survive. Cone became enamored by pathology and chemical cutting of brain tissue. But he rarely slept and chastised those students who dared to hope for a few hours or day off.

Eventually, Cone left and led a hospital twice the size of the Neuro in England. He had always clung to Penfield and showed him appreciation and sought his approval. Penfield, a family man, didn't show his love for his colleague in the same way. For various reasons, the two drifted apart.
Amongst other things such as sleeplessness, Cone had mood swings and frequent illnesses which signified depression. He committed suicide which affected Penfield badly. Penfield developed a rare neurological disease. As the author explains, the two men mapped brains but lost each other. Betrayal and guilt ran deep.

My favourite aspects of this book are the interpersonal relationships of the two men as well as the surgical procedures themselves which were incredibly eye opening. Personal letters and photographs brought these men to life. Talk about a fascinating book! It riveted me the entire time.