The War of the Soups and the Sparks - by Elliot Valenstein (Paperback)

About the Book

The War of the Soups and the Sparks tells the engaging story of the dispute between the pharmacologists who uncovered the first evidence that nerves communicate by releasing chemicals and the neurophysiologists who dismissed the proof and remained committed to electrical explanations. At the center of the story are the neuroscientist Otto Loewi and the pharmacologist Henry Dale, who received Nobel Prizes for their work, and the physiologist Walter Cannon, who would have shared the prize if he had not been persuaded to adopt a controversial theory. Expertly researched and recounted, The War of the Soups and the Sparks is the absorbing and enlightening tale of an immensely consequential scientific discovery.

Book Synopsis

Like the cracking of the genetic code and the creation of the atomic bomb, the discovery of how the brain's neurons work is one of the fundamental scientific developments of the twentieth century. The discovery of neurotransmitters revolutionized the way we think about the brain and what it means to be human yet few people know how they were discovered, the scientists involved, or the fierce controversy about whether they even existed. The War of the Soups and the Sparks tells the saga of the dispute between the pharmacologists, who had uncovered the first evidence that nerves communicate by releasing chemicals, and the neurophysiologists, experts on the nervous system, who dismissed the evidence and remained committed to electrical explanations.

The protagonists of this story are Otto Loewi and Henry Dale, who received Nobel Prizes for their work, and Walter Cannon, who would have shared the prize with them if he had not been persuaded to adopt a controversial theory (how that happened is an important part of this history). Valenstein sets his story of scientific discovery against the backdrop of two world wars and examines the fascinating lives of several scientists whose work was affected by the social and political events of their time. He recounts such stories as Loewi's arrest by Nazi storm troopers and Dale's efforts at helping key scientists escape Germany.

The War of the Soups and the Sparks reveals how science and scientists work. Valenstein describes the observations and experiments that led to the discovery of neurotransmitters and sheds light on what determines whether a novel concept will gain acceptance among the scientific community. His work also explains the immense importance of Loewi, Dale, and Cannon's achievements in our understanding of the human brain and the way mental illnesses are conceptualized and treated.

Review Quotes

The War of the Soups and the Sparks provides insight into an important time in political history and the history of neuroscience.--Elizabeth I. Martin & Charles B. Nemeroof "New England Journal of Medicine"

A fun, fast read, covering more than the title implies, and it can substantially broaden the modern reader's thinking.--Nicholas C. Spitzer "Nature Neuroscience"

A rewarding read for anyone who marvels at the wonders of scientific discovery.--Eva Chmielnicki "Nature Medicine"

A treasure trove.--Donald M. O'Malley "Quarterly Review of Biology"

An engaging story of scientific discovery and debate that spanned the two world wars. Highly recommended.--J. A. Hewlett "Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries"

An interesting book that ably covers an important era in brain science.--Frank R. Freemon, MD, PhD "Journal of the American Medical Association"

Masterly account... beautifully crafted monograph.--Jerome Kagan, Ph.D. "Cerebrum"

One of the most riveting stories of modern neuroscience.--EM Tansey "Medical History"

Provides a lively and detailed account of the sceintific perserverance that was necessary to change their thinking.--Melinda Kelley "Science Books & Films"

Scientific style and personality loom large.--Susan Lanzoni "American Scientist"

Valenstein takes the reader on fascinating excursions into the science of the early 1900s.--Diane C. Zelman "FASEB Journal"

Valenstein's book tells a fascinating story in a lively way.--James P. Schmidt "PsycCRITIQUES"

Valenstein's book... is a readable and instructive history of one of neuroscience's most important scientific disputes.--Charles Stevens "Nature"

Valenstein's well-narrated account of one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of medical research can be strongly recommended.--Arvid Carlsson "Science"

About the Author

Elliot S. Valenstein is emeritus professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Michigan and the author of Blaming the Brain: The Truth about Drugs and Mental Health and Great and Desperate Cures.