What makes us who we are, and what happens when the brain begins to change?

In this fascinating exploration of the human mind, Oxford University neurologist Masud Husain reveals how our brains shape our personalities, memories, behaviour, and sense of identity.

Through the remarkable stories of seven patients, Husain examines how neurological conditions can transform the way people think, feel, and experience the world. From a man who loses his ability to find words to a woman who no longer cares what others think, each story offers a moving insight into the complex workings of the brain.

Combining compelling real-life experiences with the latest developments in neuroscience, Husain explores the roles of memory, attention, perception, motivation, and empathy in making us who we are. He also reveals how a greater understanding of the brain is helping doctors develop new approaches to treating neurological disorders.

Accessible, thought-provoking, and deeply human, this is an absorbing read for anyone interested in neuroscience, psychology, and the mysteries of human identity.

Winner of the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize and named one of the Best Science Books of 2025 by the Financial Times, The Times, and The Guardian.