Wayfinding

The Science and Mystery of How Humans Navigate the World

Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure & Literary Travel, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences
Cover of the book Wayfinding by M. R. O'Connor, St. Martin's Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: M. R. O'Connor ISBN: 9781250200235
Publisher: St. Martin's Press Publication: April 30, 2019
Imprint: St. Martin's Press Language: English
Author: M. R. O'Connor
ISBN: 9781250200235
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication: April 30, 2019
Imprint: St. Martin's Press
Language: English

At once far flung and intimate, a fascinating look at how finding our way make us human.

"A marvel of storytelling." —Kirkus (Starred Review)

In this compelling narrative, O'Connor seeks out neuroscientists, anthropologists and master navigators to understand how navigation ultimately gave us our humanity. Biologists have been trying to solve the mystery of how organisms have the ability to migrate and orient with such precision—especially since our own adventurous ancestors spread across the world without maps or instruments. O'Connor goes to the Arctic, the Australian bush and the South Pacific to talk to masters of their environment who seek to preserve their traditions at a time when anyone can use a GPS to navigate.

O’Connor explores the neurological basis of spatial orientation within the hippocampus. Without it, people inhabit a dream state, becoming amnesiacs incapable of finding their way, recalling the past, or imagining the future. Studies have shown that the more we exercise our cognitive mapping skills, the greater the grey matter and health of our hippocampus. O'Connor talks to scientists studying how atrophy in the hippocampus is associated with afflictions such as impaired memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression and PTSD.
Wayfinding is a captivating book that charts how our species' profound capacity for exploration, memory and storytelling results in topophilia, the love of place.

"O'Connor talked to just the right people in just the right places, and her narrative is a marvel of storytelling on its own merits, erudite but lightly worn. There are many reasons why people should make efforts to improve their geographical literacy, and O'Connor hits on many in this excellent book—devouring it makes for a good start." —Kirkus Reviews

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

At once far flung and intimate, a fascinating look at how finding our way make us human.

"A marvel of storytelling." —Kirkus (Starred Review)

In this compelling narrative, O'Connor seeks out neuroscientists, anthropologists and master navigators to understand how navigation ultimately gave us our humanity. Biologists have been trying to solve the mystery of how organisms have the ability to migrate and orient with such precision—especially since our own adventurous ancestors spread across the world without maps or instruments. O'Connor goes to the Arctic, the Australian bush and the South Pacific to talk to masters of their environment who seek to preserve their traditions at a time when anyone can use a GPS to navigate.

O’Connor explores the neurological basis of spatial orientation within the hippocampus. Without it, people inhabit a dream state, becoming amnesiacs incapable of finding their way, recalling the past, or imagining the future. Studies have shown that the more we exercise our cognitive mapping skills, the greater the grey matter and health of our hippocampus. O'Connor talks to scientists studying how atrophy in the hippocampus is associated with afflictions such as impaired memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression and PTSD.
Wayfinding is a captivating book that charts how our species' profound capacity for exploration, memory and storytelling results in topophilia, the love of place.

"O'Connor talked to just the right people in just the right places, and her narrative is a marvel of storytelling on its own merits, erudite but lightly worn. There are many reasons why people should make efforts to improve their geographical literacy, and O'Connor hits on many in this excellent book—devouring it makes for a good start." —Kirkus Reviews

More books from St. Martin's Press

Cover of the book Hot Blooded: Part 1 by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Vortex by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Anne Morrow Lindbergh by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Crashers by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book We'll Always Have Parrots by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Nutrition Zombies: Top 10 Myths That Refuse to Die by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book First Touch by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Soul of the Fire by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book The Brothers Cabal by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Girl Walking Backwards by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book What Mommy Said by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Hood Rat by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Autism Breakthrough by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book America on the Brink by M. R. O'Connor
Cover of the book Hungry Girl Clean & Hungry by M. R. O'Connor
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy