There Is Life After the Nobel Prize

“Winning the Nobel Prize does not presage one’s intellectual demise,” writes neurobiologist Kandel (In Search of Memory) in this remarkable recap of his post-prize career. Kandel won the Nobel in physiology or medicine in 2000 for his work discovering “how short- and long-term memory are initially formed in the brain.” But before he got the news, Kandel’s wife told him that she hoped he didn’t win “soon,” since research shows that after winning the award, recipients don’t “contribute much more to science.” With his tongue slightly in his cheek, Kandel explains how he aimed to prove her wrong. He achieves his goal magnificently by highlighting his extensive research, public outreach, and work bridging science and art over the past 20 years. He relates his research on how memories are stored, his efforts to unravel the biological basis of schizophrenia, and his exploration of ways to ameliorate age-related memory loss. He also recounts his writing of a “scientific autobiography” as well as books that integrated brain science and art to better understand the creative process, and cohosting a PBS television series about the workings of the brain. Kandel’s intellect and passion are present on every page. Readers will be awed by the depth and breadth of Kandel’s work. (Jan.)