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Am I Normal?
The 200-Year Search for Normal People (and Why They Don’t Exist)
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Check link for latest rating. ( 299 ratings, 40 reviews)
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See moreThe riveting history of the strange science of the 'Normal', and the origins of an anxiety-ridden modern obsession
The riveting history of the strange science of the 'Normal', and the origins of an anxiety-ridden modern obsession
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
As heard on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour
A Blackwell's and Waterstones Best Popular Science Book of 2022
'Excellent ... one of those rare pop-science books that make you look at the whole world differently' The Daily Telegraph *
'Riveting' Mail on Sunday *
'Captivating' Guardian, Book of the Day
'Compelling' Observer
Sarah Chaney takes us on an eye-opening and surprising journey into the history of science, revisiting the studies, landmark experiments, and tests that proliferated from the early 19th century to find answers to the question: what's normal? These include a census of hallucinations - and even a UK beauty map (which claimed the women in Aberdeen were "the most repellent"). On the way, she exposes many of the hangovers that are still with us from these dubious endeavours, from IQ tests to the BMI.
Interrogating how the notion and science of standardisation has shaped us all, as individuals and as a society, this book challenges why we ever thought that normal might be a desirable thing to be.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Sarah Chaney's Am I Normal? is praised for its engaging exploration of the concept of "normal" and how it permeates society. The book is described as compelling and highly readable, integrating topics from beauty standards to sexuality. It's noted for being an eye-opening read that prompts reflection on the very definition and relevance of normality in our lives.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781788162463
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 13 July 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Wellcome Collection
Edition: Main
Illustration: B&W integrated
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 271g
Pages: 336
About the Author
Sarah Chaney is a research fellow at the Queen Mary Centre for the History of the Emotions. She spent her teens and twenties furiously rebelling against the mainstream, whilst secretly longing to be normal. It wasn't until she passed thirty that she (mostly) stopped worrying about this mythical ideal. Alongside her research work she runs the public exhibitions and events programme at the Royal College of Nursing, occasionally writes for The Conversation and Psychology Today and reads far too much X-Men fanfic.
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