Promotional Information

The War of the Soups and the Sparks tells the engaging story of the dispute between the pharmacologists who uncovered the first evidence that nerves communicate by releasing chemicals and the neurophysiologists who dismissed the proof and remained committed to electrical explanations. At the center of the story are the neuroscientist Otto Loewi and the pharmacologist Henry Dale, who received Nobel Prizes for their work, and the physiologist Walter Cannon, who would have shared the prize if he had not been persuaded to adopt a controversial theory. Expertly researched and recounted, The War of the Soups and the Sparks is the absorbing and enlightening tale of an immensely consequential scientific discovery.

Table of Contents

1. Setting the Stage: The Neuron Doctrine and the Synapse 2. The Autonomic Nervous System: Testing Drugs on Visceral Organs and Skeletal Muscles 3. An Idea Ahead of Its Time: The First Hint at the Existence of Chemical Neurotransmitters 4. Henry Dale: Laying the Foundation 5. Otto Loewi: An Inspired Dream and a Speculative Leap 6. The Road to the Nobel Prize 7. Walter Cannon: A Near Miss by America's Most Renowned Physiologist 8. The War of the Soups and the Sparks 9. Loewi, Dale, and Cannon: The Later Years 10. Brain Neurotransmitters: A New Continent to Explore 11. Epilogue: Some Final Reflections Notes Index

About the Author

Elliott S. Valenstein is an emeritus professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Michigan and the author of Blaming the Brain: The Truth about Drugs and Mental Health and Great and Desperate Cures. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Reviews

"Valenstein's book... is a readable and instructive history of one of neuroscience's most important scientific disputes." -- Charles Stevens, Nature "A fun, fast read, covering more than the title implies, and it can substantially broaden the modern reader's thinking." -- Nicholas C Spitzer, Nature Neuroscience "An engaging story of scientific discovery and debate that spanned the two world wars. Highly recommended." -- J. A. Hewlett, Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries " The War of the Soups and the Sparks provides insight into an important time in political history and the history of neuroscience." -- Elizabeth I. Martin & Charles B. Nemeroof, New England Journal of Medicine "Valenstein's well-narrated account of one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of medical research can be strongly recommended." -- Arvid Carlsson, Science "Masterly account... beautifully crafted monograph." -- Jerome Kagan, Ph.D., Cerebrum "Valenstein's book tells a fascinating story in a lively way." -- James P. Schmidt, PsycCRITIQUES "Provides a lively and detailed account of the sceintific perserverance that was necessary to change their thinking." -- Melinda Kelley, Science Books & Films "An interesting book that ably covers an important era in brain science." -- Frank R. Freemon, MD, PhD, Journal of the American Medical Association "A rewarding read for anyone who marvels at the wonders of scientific discovery." -- Eva Chmielnicki, Nature Medicine "Valenstein takes the reader on fascinating excursions into the science of the early 1900s." -- Diane C. Zelman, FASEB Journal "A treasure trove." -- Donald M. O'Malley, Quarterly Review of Biology