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This book invites you into the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Alexander Romanovich Luria whose groundbreaking contributions to understanding of the human mind continue to reverberate through modern neuroscience and clinical practice.
Drawing from previously unknown personal diaries, intimate family archives, and firsthand accounts from those who knew him best, this book depicts the man behind the science. Born in revolutionary Russia and navigating the tumultuous political landscape of the Soviet era, Luria emerged as a brilliant mind whose work transcended borders and ideologies. It is not merely a biography it is an invitation to discover how one exceptional scientist's blend of brilliant observation, methodological innovation, and profound empathy created a legacy that continues to transform how we understand and treat neurological conditions today.
The book highlights Luria's revolutionary contributions to neuropsychology, his unique "romantic science" approach, and the personal insights offered through previously unpublished materials.
What made Luria truly exceptional was his refusal to reduce patients to clinical cases. Instead, he pioneered what he called "romantic science" an approach that honored the whole person behind the neurological condition. This small book gives the reader in-depth analysis of two of Luria s celebrated case studies. The Mind of a Mnemonist and The Man with a Shattered World, including the afterlife of these books, showing that decades later, Luria's work remains essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the complex relationship between brain, mind, and human experience.
Delving into personal accounts from Luria s students and collaborators highlights his pivotal role in shaping the global neuropsychology community. His visionary approach to education established him as a mentor who profoundly influenced generations, leaving an enduring legacy through his systemic-dynamic method. His influence continues to resonate today, as his students make his ideas accessible to a new generation of scientists through webinars, conferences, books, and journal publications, including the Lurian Journal.
List of contents
Preface.- . Introduction.- 1. A LITTLE BOOK ABOUT A VAST MEMORY.- 2. THE MAN WITH A SHATTERED WORLD. THE HISTORY OF A BRAIN WOUND.- 3. LURIA S ROLE IN EDUCATING PSYCHOLOGISTS WORLDWIDE.- . GENERAL CONCLUSION.- . References.
About the author
The author, Bella Kotik-Friedgut is one of the last doctoral students of Luria. As one of Luria's direct disciples and a close collaborator during his later years, Kotik-Friedgut has devoted her career to expanding and applying his theories in cross-cultural neuropsychology. Born in the Soviet Union and educated at Moscow State University under Luria's direct mentorship, Bella worked at Rostov State University until in 1992 immigrated to Israel where she became a professor at David Yellin Academic College of Education in Jerusalem. This unique cross-cultural perspective has enabled her to extend Luria's theories into new domains, particularly examining how cultural factors shape neuropsychological processes and influence new language learning and developing of bilingualism. Beyond her research, Kotik-Friedgut has played an invaluable role in preserving and disseminating Luria's intellectual heritage. Through her translations, commentaries, and personal reflections, she offers unique insights into both Luria's scientific methodology and his humanistic approach to patients. This book is a tribute to the visionary who profoundly shaped neuropsychology and to the lesser-known dimensions of his personality, passions, and life. It provides one of the most intimate portraits available of Luria as both scientist and mentor.
