Table of Contents

1: Introduction: What is music, what is this book about?2: How the brain processes music3: Brains and the evolution of Homo sapiens4: Why do we have music as another communication system?5: Music, altruism and social cooperation6: The consequences of owning a modern mind7: Music, development and education8: Music, therapy and old age9: Coda: Homo sapientior?List of Illustrations

About the Author

Born in London, educated at Forest School, then Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. PhD in visual neurophysiology, Australian National University, Canberra. After postdoctoral work in the USA and at Flinders University in South Australia, moved to The University of Western Australia in 1984. Now Emeritus Professor in the School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology. Main experimental laboratory interests are in neural development, neurotrauma and neurotherapy, the research primarily focused on the CNS, with an emphasis on the visual system and spinal cord. Also passionate about music and over the past 45 years or so has sung in numerous choirs and played many concerts as a solo artist or as a member of various folk or rock bands. Has contributed to a number of recordings/CDs. Currently sings with Perth Symphonic Chorus and recently travelled to Singapore and to Carnegie Hall in New York to sing with the choir.

Reviews

Harvey builds his arguments clearly with a call to action, highlighting the need for public policy to reflect that music is essential for our psychological health and the social well-being of humanity.
*- Angus McPherson, Limelight Magazine *

Harvey says, To quote my colleagues, music is perhaps the most important thing we ever did. He demonstrates that profoundly and irrefutably from a scientific perspective in this extraordinary book.
*Mandy Stefanakis, Music Trust E-Zine *