Bi-cameral brains in depth

[Joseph Tracy]

I am currently reading Iain McGilchrist’s The Master and his Emissary



One of the most scientifically, psychologically and philosophically profound books I have ever read. It really has me reeling with information and insight and makes sense of so much that seems inscrutable in human history and personal behavior. I came across the title and a description with a brief quote while doing research on another book. It seemed the more intriguing book so I got it from the library. Will be looking for a used copy. 
  The topic is the roles of the 2 hemispheres of the brain and he brings together an unexpected wealth of medical/scientific research, both contemprary and historic to build a very powerful picture of the nature of each hemisphere, as well as the evolutionary logic of their differentiation. Both from the introduction and from some peeks ahead I know he has a philosophic intention that argues for a greater balance  in our cultural biases,  and greater awareness of the brain-structure origins of those biases. 
  From a Pynchon reader POV McGilchrist takes on the brain structure basis of major themes and historic tendencies that appear throughout the body of P’s work. Essentially it is about the division in the brain between left hemisphere’s tendency to seek and produce control achieved through manipulable units of thought, communication, structure, manufacture  and the right brain’s holistic, individualistic and socially empathic style. ( there is no way to adequadetly summarize this or the pages of precise information derived from scientific research). This struggle appers in all P books and with profound starkness in Pynchon’s essay on CP Snow, and the  GR theme of mechanistic control vs nature/pursuit of bliss/personal freedom, humane solidarity.

The writer’s background for this book is about as good as possible. Professional Psychiatrist specializing in physiological brain issues, a researcher in neuro-imaging and an  Oxford English teacher 3 times elected Fellow at All Souls College. Of equal or greater importance is the originality of his brilliance and the humane depth of his quest to understand how our brain structure fits into our historic development, and his sense that understanding these things might free us to find a better way forward. 

Has anyone else read it?

462 pgs of text and over 100 of end notes etc.-
Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l