Pathways to Prominence in Neuropsychology discusses the origin and development of research and clinical neuropsychology in the 20th century. This is an important first book to help us better understand where we have been, where we are, where we are going and who we are, but be forewarned that the writer of this review is extremely biased, believing that history is both interesting and potentially useful to enlighten our individual and collective journeys. The writing of history, its facts and interpretations, is fraught with challenges and pitfalls, especially when looking at ourselves. As the American humorist Herb Shiner once said, “Nothing has changed the course of history as much as the historian.

The book begins with an overview that explains there is no exact point in time when neuropsychology evolved, but it emerged from various pathways. Although the clinical work of neurologists like Broca, Wernicke, and Hughling-Jackson is recognized in the book, the pathways most discussed are those that occurred after the 1900's. The conclusion is that neuropsychology grew out of four main paths: investigations by neurologists of manifestations in clinical environments; mental ability testing developed in military and educational settings; use of standardized norm-referenced tests applied in clinical medical and research settings; and experimental detailed animal ablation techniques used to unravel brain–behavior relations. Regional differences in the evolution of neuropsychology are recognized for the United States, Canada, Western Europe, the Soviet Union, and Latin America. It is also recognized that there were differences between developments in academic and clinical neuropsychology, with the most rapid developments occurring the last 50 years.

Following this overview, the book is divided into three major sections entitled: part I, “Pathways Unforgotten,” which discusses the work of Nelson Butters, Henry Hécean, Aleksandr Luria, Roger Sperry and Hans-Lukas Teuber. The chapters are written from the perspective of other persons with the exception of the chapter by Nelson Butters, which was written shortly before his death in 1995. Part II, “Pathways Remembered,” is the work of such living contributors as Dirk Bakker, Anne-Lise Christensen, Kenneth Heilman, Edith Kaplan, Manfred Meier, Oscar Parsons (now deceased), Karl Pribram, Ralph Reitan, Byron Rourke and Otfried Spreen.

Part III, “Pathways Imagined” concerns the current status and future of neuropsychology. Writers include Russell M. Bauer discussing clinical neuropsychology, Laird Cermak discussing research neuropsychology, and Anthony Y. Stringer the role of neuropsychology in rehabilitation. Dr. Bauer offers some useful hopes and suggestions in a cleverly title chapter “To infinity and beyond: Clinical neuropsychology in the twenty-first century.” Cermak discusses important issues regarding past, present and future scientific neuropsychological research. Both of these authors present important thoughts that merit serious pondering.

The book is generally well written and edited. Because each chapter is written by a different author, the quality of writing varies. Of the many well-written chapters, chapter 5 by Antonio E. Puente on Roger W. Sperry is exemplary. It is a succinctly written account of Sperry's many contributions and a thoughtful tribute to Puente's mentor.

The book has several weaknesses:

• A number of key players from the past and present who deserve chapters are missing. Examples of absent notables are, André Rey, Ramón Cajal, Kurt Goldstein, Charles Matthews, William Gaddes, Arthur M. Benton, D. Frank Benson, Muriel D. Lezak, M.-Marcel Mesulam, and Jeffery Cummings.
• Pictures are included for part I, providing important visual memories, but they are not included for part II. It would have been nice to have images of all the past and present persons upon which the book focuses.
• There is a lack of depth in the autobiographical information regarding the patchwork of persons involved in the development of clinical and research neuropsychology
• The significant controversies in neuropsychology are mentioned, but not discussed in any depth. It would have been useful to more openly present these matters and offer some ideas into their sources and potential resolutions.

All of the professional endeavors of the key players are best understood in the light of who they were as persons. Their professional work and focus are significantly shaped by their personalities and psychological styles. More background about these important colleagues—our fellow human beings—would be both interesting and useful in understanding their journeys. Despite the limited amount of personal information, some of the autobiographical chapters are of interest not only because of the facts revealed but also because of the potential insights into the authors. Mark Twain made the following comment about autobiographies:

Chapter 14 by Ralph Reitan, entitled “The best-laid plans—and the vagaries of circumstantial events,” is of particular interest because of the strong influence the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery has had upon many clinical neuropsychologists. The chapter reveals interesting facts about the development of that particular clinical approach and also “between the lines” about Dr. Reitan. He is both a very significant early contributor to the development of clinical neuropsychology (especially in North America and Northern Europe) and an interesting personality. This chapter illuminates his past and present journey.

Neuropsychology is the creation of a hodgepodge of bright obsessive minds and colorful characters whose dedication and productivity have intentionally and unintentionally made neuropsychology happen. These interesting persons have mostly worked independently. While there has never been any master plan orchestrating an integrated development, the discipline and practice of neuropsychology has grown. The pieces have gradually merged to form a recognized and viable professional collective. This is especially true of clinical neuropsychology in North America.

History is like that. Often the pieces initially seen as unconnected disorganized fragments eventually come together to form meaningful patterns. The noted historian William Manchester once stated this clearly:

This is also true of neuropsychology and this book helps understand the pattern of our brief history. It is highly recommended that this book be read, digested, and discussed by all neuropsychologists, especially those who appreciate the importance of history in guiding our future. By taking the time to look farther backward we can potentially move farther forward.