Book Detail

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

Publication Information
Author:  Fleischman, John Illustrator:  
Title:  Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science Date:  2002
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin City:  Boston
ISBN, paperback:  0-618-05252-6 ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:  
Family:   Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:   Yes

General Information:
Book Type(s):    nonfiction, true story, biography and autobiography

HSE Descriptor(s):    science

Summary:
As the result of a bizarre mining accident in 1848 in which a metal rod ran through his brain, Phineas Gage provided scientists an opportunity to study the brain and the biological basis of behavior. Photographs, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index make the book very useful in the classroom.

Teaching Ideas:
The true story is fascinating and lends itself to several subject fields--science, psychology, biography, and history. Interested students can find more information about Phineas on these web sites: www.deakin.edu.au/hbs/GAGEPAGE/, www-instruct.nmu.edu/psychology/mmacmill/gage_page/pgage.htm, and www.brainviews.com/abFiles/Img/gage.html. They might want to tell the story from Phineas' point of view. Students might also want to discuss how his ordeal would be different if it occurred today. The book could form the basis of a study on the origins of legends and myths since the story is true but the surrounding events seems far-fetched.

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > physical issues > physical disability
bullet History > time period > 19th Century
bullet Science > medicine
bullet Science > medicine > anatomy
bullet Science > psychology
bullet Social Studies > research
bullet Work > scientist


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