The Evolving Brain by Paul Goldsmith

The Evolving Brain by Paul Goldsmith

Neurologist and neuroscientist Dr Paul Goldsmith reveals compassionate, practical insights on the evolutionary origins of our brain and how we can best use it to thrive in our daily lives.

'A fascinating exploration of how our ancient brains are mismatched for our modern ecosystem, and what we can do about it.' Anna Lembke, MD, author of Dopamine Nation

'Exciting and accessible . . .This is a book to help us to understand ourselves.' Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind and Listen

A New Scientist 'Best New Popular Science Books of 2026' pick.

-----

We often blame ourselves when we struggle with modern life. We see loneliness, anxiety, and burnout as signs of personal failure. We feel miserable when we fall short of the unachievable goals we've set. We become frustrated when we compare our lives to others - whether through job titles or social media likes.

But the problem isn't you. The problem is that the human brain was built for an environment utterly different to the one we now inhabit. Processes that once ensured our survival now leave us overloaded, restless and unhappy. Yet we don't have to struggle: by understanding our brain's original design, we can work with it to thrive.

In The Evolving Brain, Dr Paul Goldsmith draws on cutting-edge neuroscience and case studies from his clinical practice to produce the definitive user's guide to our ancient mind, offering actionable insights to help us live happier, healthier and more connected lives.

Paul writes beautifully, and his combination of storytelling and scientific exploration shines a light on the complexity of the human brain and our resulting behaviours in an exciting and accessible wayThis is a book to help us to understand ourselves. * Kathryn Mannix, bestselling author of With the End in Mind and Listen *
The Evolving Brain is a fascinating exploration of how our ancient brains are mismatched for our modern ecosystem, and what we can do about it. With case studies, rich science, and compelling prose, Goldsmith reminds us we are the strangest of animals. * Anna Lembke, MD, author of Dopamine Nation *
A wide-sweeping, panoramic perspective on how our brains are confronted by - and can adapt to - the formidable challenges of the modern world. * Masud Husain, author of Our Brains, Our Selves and Professor of Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford *
The Evolving Brain explores how many of our struggles are not personal shortcomings but the legacy of an ancient brain in a modern world. By tracing the roots of these challenges and offering ways to adapt, Goldsmith provides a fresh and compassionate perspective on what it means to thrive today. * Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD, Neuroscientist and author of Tiny Experiments *
A rather impressive and beautifully written multidisciplinary tour de force of knowledge of science and culture . . . The author draws on his many-faceted background and clinical practice to provide clinical vignettes and a broad reading of science. * Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, Professor of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology *
We blame ourselves for burnout, envy and endless distraction. But this book shows it is wiring, not weakness: an ancient brain flailing in a modern world. The Evolving Brain explains why stress, distraction and anxiety are evolutionary. It takes in the neuroscience lab and evolutionary human backstory to explain why we're wired not for happiness but for persistence. Why status feels addictive, why copying drives culture - and why the secret to thriving is to understand, not override, the brain we have. This is about why we crave approval, why we mirror others, why we stumble when rewards come too slowly. The Evolving Brain offers a bracing (if sometimes disturbing) new clarity on the allure and snares for humans in the digital world. * Fraser Nelson *

Dr Paul Goldsmith is a neuroscientist and practising neurologist. He has a triple first in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge and a clinical scholarship from the University of Oxford. He undertook postgraduate medical training in Oxford, at the National Hospital for Neurology in London, and in Cambridge, then a Ph.D. in developmental neuroscience at Cambridge, leading to an interest in evolutionary medicine. He is a visiting professor at Imperial College London in the Institute of Global Health Innovation.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781035426461
ISBN 10	1035426463
Title	The Evolving Brain
Author	Paul Goldsmith
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Headline Publishing Group
Year published	2026-02-12
Number of pages	400
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.