Just the Way You Are How Heredity and Experience Create the Individual

by Winifred Gallagher

Winifred Gallagher, a science writer, journalist, and the author of The Power of How Our Surroundings Shape Our Thought, Emotions, and Actions, has produced a book about a timeless Who are we and how did we arrive this way? Gallagher addresses this fundamental question by looking at the science and history of temperament, including new, fascinating research on how heredity, anatomy, biochemistry, and the way we are raised affect the patterns of human behavior. Tackling a formidable subject and lacing it with the true story of an abandoned child, she has produced a readable and important book.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always take these kinds of book personally. If there is a condition described, I have it. So, these self-helf, or self-healing, or self-medicating books always make me nervous, or worse. But, Winifred Gallagher is a very good writer and a convincing scientist. She makes some points that could describe our very worst or our very best selves. This book cites vast amounts of research on personality that is hard to digest. It is hard for me to digest. But, one of the things that gave me pure joy was the description of Bill Clinton's mother. Her name was Dorothy and she was married five times which is why her last name is not Clinton. She was an outrageous woman, and apologized for nothing. I love that.