Not a bad book necessarily, but it doesn't do what the blurb promises. Rather than looking at the neurological and psychological roots of emotions and drives correlating to the seven deadly sins, the book looks at extreme cases of each. The blurb and introduction claim that the book's argument is about the necessity of these traits for human survival; that is barely discussed or explained. Also, the immense amount of fragments got annoying really fast. I'm not a huge stickler for grammar, and I'm all for breaking the rules for effect. But fragment after fragment really fractured the reading experience.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book of medical investigation into the neurological and biological reasons that might have given rise to the idea of deadly sins, what it tells us about humans, and what it means for many of our actions.

I guess I should say that I learned about the seven deadly sins in the CCD classes that Catholic boys and girls have to attend for religious instruction. As I never paid any attention in class, thinking more of the checks I would get for confirmation and other things, I am sure it was not there. I would assume it was in the Deadly Sins series my Grandfather used to read by Lawrence Sanders, who was the James Patterson of the seventies and eighties. Pride, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Wraith, Gluttony and Greed have been used in many books, movies and albums, to stop temptation or to lead one deeper in. Even the Big Red Cheese, Shazam, or Captain Marvel, or whatever he is called now, used the deadly sins to show how great a hero Shazam was. They have become so much of a trope that in many ways they have become accepted. Greed is good. Keeping up with the Joneses. Dr. Guy Leschziner in his book Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human looks at a variety of neurological and biological reasons that might have given rise to the idea of these sins, how they destroy lives and families, and how their legacy continues to this day.

The book starts with a brief history of the idea of seven sins, the theological impact and how it has been brought into teaching and learning. Readers are also give a biographical sketch of the author, his years of experience dealing with patients of all kinds, from war zones, to refugees and more, and how the sins that are discussed are responsible for many of the situations these patients are dealing with. Using his own family Dr. Leschziner discusses how his grandfather's experiences in the Holocaust, seeing the worst sins that humans could do to others, is still something his family, generations later are still dealing with. From there the author discusses the ideas of the sins, and different patients, that are suffering neurological and psychological problems similar to what the sins are. A patient with epilepsy finds a medicine that cures his seizures, but gives him periods of massive almost Hulk-like rage. A wounded soldier with a brain injury finds himself talking about women nonstop, and what he thinks of them. The need for some people to buy to excess, and never be happy, always feeling less but wanting more.

Not the book that I expected, but something far more. Though reading about a lot of these people, especially the ones who were trying to get better was sad, and maddening. I can't imagine finding a cure to one symptom, but to find that the cure makes one rage at friends and co-workers. Also the stories about gluttony, the never ending need to eat, to be full that never comes, while eating horrible things, and destroying one's health. Dr. Leschziner is a very good writer and an empathetic one, making the reader feel things for these patients, even the one's that don't deserve much. Also Dr. Leschziner has a chapter on free will, that is a well reasoned argument about how much can one claim that they are sick, and still carry on destructive behaviors, to themselves and others. One of my favorite sections in the book.

A book that fans of Dr. Leschziner's previous books will enjoy, and one that asks a lot of questions and makes readers think. And more importantly feel for people. Which is something that is in short supply. A unique and different read.

I feel that I’ve finally come to a book about which I feel woefully underqualified to write a review. It’s Dr. Guy Leschziner’s Seven Deadly Sins, a look at neurobiology related to gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and anger. (With a chapter on free will thrown in for the heck of it. More on that in just a second.) It’s a book labeled as “controversial” by its publisher, St. Martin’s Press, because of its shocking declaration that human beings do not have free will because the synapses firing on all cylinders are so rapid that decisions are made in the brain before the thought that we humans may have. If I’m getting this right, that means that the cheeseburger you find yourself craving was decided to be ordered well in advance of you going to the local hamburger joint and plunking down money for some tasty ground beef on a bun. (With cheese!) The book is a little more complicated than that, and it’s a long one — it’ll take you about seven hours to get through it if you read indiscriminately. I think this might be a book that is best meant for academics and clinicians; the only reason I’ve read it is because a free advance copy was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I can say a few good things about this book. The most appealing aspect is easily the case studies that Dr. Leschziner presents. Culling from his patient records, the good doctor tells stories of people who have suffered brain injuries and have become promiscuous (that’s lust) or are suddenly prone to angry outbursts (that’s, well, anger). The premise itself is also likable: that the seven deadly sins are neurologically based instead of being a moral imperative — that is to say, we are hardwired to do bad things at some cellular level that a slight bump to the head can throw off-kilter. However, I wonder if this book is “controversial” for the wrong reasons. That is, if one is to believe Dr. Leschziner’s findings and hypothesis that sin is more a matter of the mind than of the heart, it can lead one to make the following conclusion: if a gene causes undesired behavior a, b, or c, then it would logically flow from that that that gene or piece of grey matter could be edited out. In other words, eugenics. To the best of my memory, this is very lightly touched on in the book — and if that memory is faulty, well, it was a long, dense book packed to the gills with information.

So why do I feel so unqualified to review this book? Well, I am not a brain surgeon but a simple layperson. This book was not for me as it was above my pay grade. However, as a layperson, I found this volume repetitive. It also takes weird curve balls into areas such as Huntington’s Disease, which I suppose goes back to the notion of editing out genes that carry horrific diseases down through the generations of families. In short, if this book has any failing, it might be that the author is a tad little too close to his subject matter. Perhaps he was also desperate to shoehorn the “seven deadly sins” angle into this package — making it more of a marketing ploy than anything else. (To wit, I initially thought this would be a book about religious theology before reading the synopsis from the publisher. However, I still greedily took it from the publisher, so say what you will about me.) How much one enjoys this dry and academic read (except for the case studies, which provide glimpses of illumination and interest for the reader) is based on how much scientific jargon and medical mumbo-jumbo you’re willing to take on.

But I don’t mean to be harsh at all. This book will be held closely and lovingly to the chests of neurosurgeons, geneticists, and potentially even psychiatrists. The audience for a scientific tome such as this may be broad amongst brain and nervous systems specialists. And, I have to admit that I was impressed by the intelligence and insight of the author — a native of London, England. Dr. Leschziner is a brilliant man with a clever mind, even if he’s most straightforward in describing the afflictions of his various patients. So, what can I really say about this book? Aside from the fact that I feel underqualified to write about this work (so you may want to consult a second opinion somewhere else), I must concede that it has appeal. If you like medical non-fiction and are interested in grey matter, you might find something to write about here. It would be a sin to skip over this one. All others can take this or leave it. I’m unsure where I exist on this spectrum, but I found the book mildly fascinating, even in its wanting bits. It’s a curiosity, to be sure.

I suppose if you’re interested in reading about psych patients exhibiting the traits of the SDS, you will like this book. I did not. Yes, it’s well written. Yes, some will learn from it. But, like most, I consider a sin an act of choice, and the people here are mentally ill and not in total control of their choices. In that way, it feels exploitive.

Before reading this book, I was aware of the “Seven Deadly Sins” of Pride, Greed (Avarice), Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth, but didn’t really know much about them or their origins.

I learned that they were developed early around the Sixth Century with the idea that Christians who follow them would not wander away from God and the Seven Virtues of Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Kindness, Patience, and Humility that counteract them.

The idea behind the Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human is simple: take the Seven Deadly Sins—also known as the “Capital Vices” or “Cardinal Sins”—of Christianity and apply them to neuroscience and psychological science.

This is an interesting concept, with each chapter dedicated to a specific sin, and I was curious to see how author Guy Leschziner would apply them scientifically. As I plowed through the book, however, I realized that, while the concept probably looked good on paper, the execution wasn’t always well-realized.

I thought that the author tried extremely hard—too hard at times—to take the cases he presented and apply them to the Seven Deadly Sins. When the presented cases and situations fit the respective Sin, the book was fascinating because the cases themselves were fascinating, not that the respective Sin was necessarily applicable.

I did find the chapter on Pride to be of major interest due to the upcoming American presidential election, and how the discussion of narcissism could be applied to one of the major party candidates.

The eighth chapter focused on Free Will and, since the Seven Deadly Sins are derived from Christian thought, the idea of Free Will, as Christianity sees it, is moral accountability and the ability to choose between good and evil.

While the author does go into a detailed discussion of the “Readiness Potential” (RP) or Bereitschaftspotential (BP), which is the idea that the brain is preparing to make a move on its own without conscious thought, I found the concept to be fascinating and one that I’d not come across in my previous readings, however I did find that the discussion veered into a more philosophical direction that I did not find all that engaging.

This is a book I have a challenging time recommending but, to be fair, it is well-written and could be of interest to the reader who is looking for another approach to both neuroscience and psychological science.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. This was def outside of my normal wheelhouse but I'm glad I read it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between neuroscience, psychology, and morality. In this thought-provoking book, Leschziner delves into the biological underpinnings of the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—challenging our traditional views on these age-old concepts.

Leschziner, a professor of neurology, brings a unique perspective to the table, examining how these so-called sins are not merely moral failings but are deeply rooted in our biology and genetics. He provides compelling evidence on how certain medical conditions and neurological disorders can manifest behaviors that society often labels as sinful. This approach not only humanizes these behaviors but also encourages a more empathetic understanding of human nature.

The book is structured in a way that each sin is given its own chapter, allowing for an in-depth analysis of its origins, manifestations, and implications. Leschziner’s writing is both accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. His use of real-life case studies adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to the narrative, making the science come alive.

For readers interested in the intersection of science and morality, Seven Deadly Sins offers a fresh and enlightening perspective. Dr. Guy Leschziner’s work is a testament to the complexity of human behavior and the intricate ways in which our biology influences our actions. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of what it means to be human.

I found this extremely informative and really enjoyed the case studies that were brought up throughout. The mind is an interesting thing and our perceptions/opinions on certain aspects of the brain/mental health issues are barely understood in a day to day basis.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this. We are taught from a young age what the seven deadly sins are and to avoid them at all costs. This book delves is the minds of several patients who have various medical issues. I learned some insights and takeaways from this book.

Are we wired to sin? Are the "7 deadly sins" inherently immoral or rather evolutionary strategies? What good does it do us, as modern humans in a global society, to vilify them (some more than others)?

These are all questions Leschziner attempts to tackle. There aren't end-all-be-all answers, but the thought-provoking discussions are invaluable.

This should be a good book unfortunately I could not get into it. Thanks to the author for his efforts.

Seven Deadly Sins is both original and quite interesting. Guy Leschziner looks at the seven deadly sins (wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, greed, and pride) from a biological point. He considers genetics, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and pathology to explain how and why humans may do things that are cruel, or behave in a greedy or lazy way. Each sin is dealt with in its own chapter, and the author presents case studies with rare genetic diseases and illnesses that illustrate and cause the patient to act in a "sinful" manner. Some chapters offer fewer biological reasons for sins, like lust and envy, but even those provide curious and intriguing facts. I will be looking at people's index and ring fingers to judge how much fetal exposure to testosterone they had in utero, beginning with my two sons. Lest you think the author is trying to excuse the sins of the Holocaust or genocide and wars that have arisen throughout history due to wrath and greed, he has also written a chapter on free will and its importance. The glossary at the end of this book is especially helpful for those of us who have forgotten the structures and areas of the brain that we may have learned 45 years ago. This book can help us begin to understand how and why we humans act as we do and the ways biology may play a part in our actions. Four and a half stars rounded up.

I hope Mr. Leschziner's next book is about the Seven Cardinal Virtues, but until then I will be reading another one of his books, The Man Who Tasted Words, an exploration of our senses and how the brain understands and/or misunderstands the world around us.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on December 3, 2024.

It was an interesting read. Not what I'd normally pick up but it had some interesting points that it touched on

Guy Leschziner’s previous book, The Man Who Tasted Words, was one of the reasons I decided to study neuroscience properly. He explains in a clear and entertaining way how our brains cause us to perceive the world we way we do, and how they affect our actions.

In this book, he looks at the Seven Deadly Sins - gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust and anger - and asks whether there’s a physical cause for these behaviors. And indeed, there is. Damage to the brain, disruption to the electrical patterns in our neurons, medication or drugs, genetic abnormalities, disease, and trauma can all cause us to behave in ways that are regarded as bad (or, if you believe in such things, sinful). And, significantly, most of the time, we know they’re wrong, but we do them anyway out of compulsion.

Leschziner presents case studies for every one of the sins, showing how a “normal” person can suddenly find their personality utterly distorted for reasons completely outside their control. Peaceable people can become terrifyingly angry. Energetic people can become slothful and apathetic. Love can turn to pathological jealousy. And in each case, Leschziner identifies a neurological cause. As he says, psychosomatic doesn’t mean it’s not real - it means that our brains have an a literal, physical effect on our bodies.

This, of course, raises the uncomfortable question of free will. Are we responsible for what we do? Can we excuse monstrous behavior by saying “my brain made me do it?” Where’s the line between diminished responsibility and dangerous insanity?

I’ll be thinking about this book for weeks or months, perhaps years.