The Puzzle of Left-Handedness |
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| Author:
| Smits, Rik |
| Translator:
| Waters, Liz |
| ISBN: | 978-1-78023-043-6 |
| Publication Date: | Aug 2012 |
| Publisher: | Reaktion Books, Limited
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| Book Format: | Paperback |
| List Price: | USD $25.00 |
Book Description:
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Left-handedness seems to be no big deal. Many of us are left-handed and those of us who aren't don't tend to give left-handednessmuch thought. Yet throughout history left-handers have been associated with clumsiness, untrustworthiness and insincerity. The Latin word for left, sinister, is redolent with all kinds of ominous connotations. Rik Smits uncovers why history has been so unkind to our left-handed forebears. Through an array of historical anecdotes, strange superstitions and...
More Description
Left-handedness seems to be no big deal. Many of us are left-handed and those of us who aren't don't tend to give left-handednessmuch thought. Yet throughout history left-handers have been associated with clumsiness, untrustworthiness and insincerity. The Latin word for left, sinister, is redolent with all kinds of ominous connotations. Rik Smits uncovers why history has been so unkind to our left-handed forebears. Through an array of historical anecdotes, strange superstitions and old wives' tales, Smits explains why left-handedness continues to be associated with maladies of all kinds, including mental retardation, alcoholism,asthma, hay fever, diabetes, insomnia, suicidal urges, criminality and shorter lifespans. The Puzzle of Left-handedness is an enlightening and entertaining odyssey through the enigmas and paradoxes, theories and experiments surrounding the left-handed among us.