Left-handers have been described as "a people without a history." This special issue provides scholarly analyses of aspects of asymmetry in history, from the Renaissance to the 20th Century.

• Lauren Harris presents three studies describing:
• • An 1811 American child-care manual for parents fearing, "lest their children should be left-handed";
  • Manuals on swordsmanship from the Renaissance onwards describing the "accepted minority" of left-handed swordsmen, a minority that still dominates the Olympics;
  • The enigmatic bias whereby parents use their left arm to carry babies;
• Janet Snowman and Stephen Christman present two papers on left-handed musical geniuses:
• • William Crotch, the self-taught, 18th Century, musical prodigy, whose unconventional left-handed playing styles stimulate many questions about the asymmetries of stringed instruments;
  • Jimi Hendrix, the 20th Century, left-handed, guitarist of whom Robert Krieger said, " he was just so different. He just came from such a left-field place."
• Chris McManus, Richard Rawles, James Moore and Matthew Freegard describe an early BBC TV programme presented in 1953 by Jacob Bronowski on right and left-handedness. In an early example of viewer participation, 6000 people sent postcards describing their handedness and also their perceptions of a "mystery picture," that was the duck-rabbit figure from Wittgenstein s recently published Philosophical Investigations.
• Chris McManus and Janet Snowman describe A left-handed compliment, a newly discovered lithograph by John Lewis Marks (ca. 1795-6 - ca. 1857-61). Given Marks,"seeming love of vulgarity for its own sake," there is probably an obscene sub-text reminiscent of a Donald McGill postcard.

This volume explores both simple and sophisticated techniques used in the study of different types of lateralization of brain and behavior. Research in this field increases our understanding of various brain functions in humans, other vertebrate species, and invertebrates. The book is divided into five parts: behavioral methods; neurobiological methods; electroencephalographic, imaging, and neuro-stimulation methods; genetic techniques; and development of lateralization. Part I addresses measuring lateralization by scoring behavior induced by inputs to one or the other side of the brain in a range of species. Part II covers neurobiological methods used to reveal lateralization, such as lesion studies, electrophysiology and pharmacology, early gene expression, and new optogenetic methods. Part III looks at imaging techniques, electroencephalographic techniques, and transcranial stimulation to reveal lateralization. Part IV describes techniques used to study the role of genes in the development and establishment of brain asymmetry in humans and other species. Lastly, Part V refers to methods used in the study of development of lateralization through the manipulation of sensory exposure, hormone levels, and in model systems. In Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your own laboratory. Cutting-edge and thorough, Lateralized Brain Function: Methods in Human and Non-Human Species is a valuable resource for investigating lateralization in a broad range of species and provides excellent advice for both new and veteran researchers.

This volume explores both simple and sophisticated techniques used in the study of different types of lateralization of brain and behavior. Research in this field increases our understanding of various brain functions in humans, other vertebrate species, and invertebrates. The book is divided into five parts: behavioral methods; neurobiological methods; electroencephalographic, imaging, and neuro-stimulation methods; genetic techniques; and development of lateralization. Part I addresses measuring lateralization by scoring behavior induced by inputs to one or the other side of the brain in a range of species. Part II covers neurobiological methods used to reveal lateralization, such as lesion studies, electrophysiology and pharmacology, early gene expression, and new optogenetic methods. Part III looks at imaging techniques, electroencephalographic techniques, and transcranial stimulation to reveal lateralization. Part IV describes techniques used to study the role of genes in the development and establishment of brain asymmetry in humans and other species. Lastly, Part V refers to methods used in the study of development of lateralization through the manipulation of sensory exposure, hormone levels, and in model systems. In Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your own laboratory. Cutting-edge and thorough, Lateralized Brain Function: Methods in Human and Non-Human Species is a valuable resource for investigating lateralization in a broad range of species and provides excellent advice for both new and veteran researchers.

Asymmetry of the brain and behaviour (lateralization) has traditionally been considered unique to humans. However, research has shown that this phenomenon is widespread throughout the vertebrate kingdom and found even in some invertebrate species. A similar basic plan of organisation exists across vertebrates. Summarising the evidence and highlighting research from the last twenty years, the authors discuss lateralization from four perspectives - function, evolution, development and causation - covering a wide range of animals, including humans. The evolution of lateralization is traced from our earliest ancestors, through fish and reptiles to birds and mammals. The benefits of having a divided brain are discussed, as well as the influence of experience on its development. A final chapter discusses outstanding problems and areas for further investigation. Experts in this field, the authors present the latest scientific knowledge clearly and engagingly, making this a valuable tool for anyone interested in the biology and behaviour of brain asymmetries.

Asymmetry of the brain and behaviour (lateralization) has traditionally been considered unique to humans. However, research has shown that this phenomenon is widespread throughout the vertebrate kingdom and found even in some invertebrate species. A similar basic plan of organisation exists across vertebrates. Summarising the evidence and highlighting research from the last twenty years, the authors discuss lateralization from four perspectives - function, evolution, development and causation - covering a wide range of animals, including humans. The evolution of lateralization is traced from our earliest ancestors, through fish and reptiles to birds and mammals. The benefits of having a divided brain are discussed, as well as the influence of experience on its development. A final chapter discusses outstanding problems and areas for further investigation. Experts in this field, the authors present the latest scientific knowledge clearly and engagingly, making this a valuable tool for anyone interested in the biology and behaviour of brain asymmetries.