Lefties: The Origins & Consequences of Being Left-Handed

by Jack Fincher

Jack the Ripper and the Boston Strangler were left-handed. So were Leonardo da Vinci and Marilyn Monroe. Today every lefty knows that being left-handed is a sign of special genius and a nuisance in a world geared—from handshakes to scissors—to the right-handed. This informative volume examines every aspect of left-handedness, from its causes and historical attitudes toward it, to the latest scientific theories about what it represents.

For on the largest minority groups in the land, Lefties is a lively, comprehensive guide to the facts and new findings, legend, and lore of the so-called "sinister people."

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History

221 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Britney]

I thought it was an interesting analysis of left handed people and how their brains work. It basically explained how left handed people are different and how they view the world, which makes them extrodinarily different.
People who might enjoy this book would be lefties or people into how the brain works. This book really does talk about both things a lot.
People who might not enjoy this book are people who don't enjoy the genre or don't care about handness.

[Tilopa]

Un survol amusant et bien documenté sur la relation entre le cerveau et la main.

[Joelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of research studies and math theory, which is all probably useless considering the book was written 30 years ago. Not quite the lighthearted read I imagined..

[Gaston G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am insulted!

The book begins well with some history and some science as to right/left side preference in various entities on nature. It's almost a difficult read as the author does not mince the scientific jargon.

However, topwards the end, the inference is made that lefties are a result of brain injuries that probably occur during birth. Then some scientist report that their research shows that in most areas, righties outperform lefties. One scientist says that she was surprised that somwe of her finding mirrored what she thought would happen and some did not.

I was reminded as I read the last few chapters of this books that sceinetists generally set up their research or experiments to confirm what they had deduced in the first place.

Being a lefty, I am insulted that anyone would think that those of us who use our left hand would be brain damaged or brain inferior. I think society tried to prove the same thing about people of different race.

[Gable Roth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking it would contain funny stories and examples of how it is difficult for a left-handed person to live in a right handed world. I expected a little backstory on the history of being left handed but that is basically all that this book is... it was not as fun and light-hearted as I was expecting. The most frustrating thing is that the author said himself that most of the data he presents in the book is inconclusive, not to mention the new studies that contradict those given in the book. So basically the take away from this book is, Lefties are different... and there may be studies that might give evidence as to why they are different.

[Ava Markham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt that this author hated left people and found them lesser than, even though he himself says he is left-handed. The entire book just tastes of unsound, prejudicial science. As a lefty, I hated this book. I do not think we are stupid, incapable or otherwise inferior to our right-handed counterparts. I think we rock. It also seems the authors wife doesn't like his left-handedness. Very odd...

[Melissa Blanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part way through: I'm liking this book so far. Some parts are technical / scientific, much more so than any other book about left-handedness that I've read so far. It's a good thing, for the most part! At the end of the book: Fascinating material, excluding the fact that the author believes in evolution.
my rating: 7.5

[Dipuponski · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, if somewhat dated, take on what possibly makes some of us left-handed. Especially Levy's research on why some lefties write by hooking their hand over the text while others do not, made this book worthwhile reading.

[David Hibberd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected. This is a look at many different studies into the causes for handedness. Possible causes are genetic, environment, and something in the brain. I find the answer to all these causes to be the same, yes, no, maybe so.

[Khoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It very good , thank author

[William Crosby]

Fascinating examination of left-handedness from several aspects: cultural, neurobiological, evolutionary.

[Andrew Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 2/3 of this book focused on whether handedness existed at the atomic level or internally in biological structuring, in other animals, and in early humans. It was okay, but went on for a bit too long. Once he got to actually handedness in modern humans, I was much more interested. He also had a very interesting writing style, in which very casual language, even slang sometimes, was randomly inserted into otherwise academic writing. Lastly, I'm sure a lot of the information is outdated as it was originally published in 1980.

Overall, though, it was a worthwhile read to skim through and pick up a few random tidbits.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't much original thought in this book. Most of it is just a rehashing of Martin Gardner's many wonderful books.