Right Hand, Left Hand

Winner of the Aventis Science Book Prize.A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Grays anatomy J G Ballard, New Stateman Books of the Year

FascinatingNew Scientist

Wonderful Nature

- What is the connection between Paul McCartney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Babe Ruth?
- Why are parrots and peacocks left-footed?
- Do left-handers behave differently from right-handers?
- Why are most people right-handed?
- Why are all muppets left-handed?
- Why is the heart on the left-hand side of the body?
- Why is each side of the human brain so different?

RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND uses sources as diverse as the paintings of Rembrandt and the sculpture of Michelangelo, the behaviour of Canadian cichlid fish and the story of early cartography. Modern cognitive science, the history of the Wimbledon tennis championship and the biographies of great musicians are also used to explain the vast repertoire of left-right symbolism that permeates our everyday lives.