Sam Kean

About

Sam Kean is author of The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons, as well as the New York Times bestsellers The Disappearing Spoon and The Violinist's Thumb. Both books were named Amazon top-five science books of the year, and his work has been featured on "Radiolab," "All Things Considered," and "Fresh Air."

Books by Sam Kean

Recent Posts

The Beneficial Mischief of Neurosurgery

We all know neurosurgery is different. But I never realized how different until I learned that patients often stay awake during operations.

The Cat Nobel Prize Part III

The surprisingly important role that cats played in several crucial discoveries in neuroscience history.

The Cat Nobel Prize Part II

The surprisingly important role that cats played in several crucial discoveries in neuroscience history.

The Cat Nobel Prize Part I

The surprisingly important role that cats have played in the history of neuroscience...

Today Was the Worst Day of Paul Broca’s Life

Exactly 150 years ago, on March 24, 1863, an obscure French doctor lit the fuse on one of most unpleasant episodes in neuroscience history.

Exactly 150 years ago, on March 24, 1863, an obscure French doctor lit the fuse on one of most unpleasant episodes in neuroscience history.

The Only Thing She Has to Fear

The most fearless woman alive—someone scientists thought literally could not feel fear, ever, under any circumstances—has a weakness after all, it turns out. What’s her kryptonite? Carbon dioxide...

The most fearless woman alive—someone scientists thought literally could not feel fear, ever, under any circumstances—has a weakness after all, it turns out. What’s her kryptonite? Carbon dioxide...

How Your Child’s DNA Invades Your Brain

A new study shows that fetal cells can invade the mother's body—including her brain. What those cells do is anyone's guess, but the scientists involved set out to probe a tantalizing connection to Alzheimer's disease...

A new study shows that fetal cells can invade the mother's body—including her brain. What those cells do is anyone's guess, but the scientists involved set out to probe a tantalizing connection to Alzheimer's disease...

Dolphins, Race, and Aspm—Here We Go Again?

A gene that once ignited a firestorm over IQ and race has now been linked to bigger brains in dolphins...

A gene that once ignited a firestorm over IQ and race has now been linked to bigger brains in dolphins...

She Woke Up With a French Accent

People who suffer from foreign accent syndrome suddenly sound as if their native language is a second tongue.

People who suffer from foreign accent syndrome suddenly sound as if their native language is a second tongue.

The You in Me

Cells of a sibling, child, or possibly even a long-forgotten lover may persist in our bodies for decades, yet little is known about the role such genetic interlopers play.

Cells of a sibling, child, or possibly even a long-forgotten lover may persist in our bodies for decades, yet little is known about the role such genetic interlopers play.