The Mind Mappers

The Mind Mappers by Eric Andrew-Gee is a gripping read of history, obsession, friendship, and betrayal. The history is ours – Canadian. The obsession is the quest by neurosurgeons William Cone and Wilder Penfield to map areas of the brain and their links to function. The friendship and, ultimately, the betrayal are between the same men.

Wilder Penfield (1981-1976) is a name known to many Canadians. The Heritage Minute (1991) by Historica Canada would have been his introduction to young people who had no prior knowledge of his pioneering brain surgery. Montrealers considered him an adopted son, and clinicians worldwide marvelled at his accomplishments. Where Penfield was an explorer and researcher who enjoyed the acclaim, William Cone (1897-1959) was his colleague “in harness” who did multiple surgeries for every one of Penfield’s. He was renowned for his surgical precision, his caregiving compassion and and his restlessness when not in scrubs. William Cone is the name that is not well known, yet he was beloved by his residents, the nurses, patients and their families. Together, William Cone and Wilder Penfield founded the Montreal Neurological Institute, a magnet hospital, which attracted neurosurgeons around the world.

The Mind-Mappers is a well-crafted, engaging recount of history. It’s a story about the passion for exploration and excellence that made “The Neuro” an international landmark.

^{Bonnie Lendrum is the author of Autumn’s Grace, the story of how one family manages the experience of palliative care with hope and humour despite sibling conflicts, generational pulls and career demands. Autumn’s Grace is a powerful commentary on the need for well-organized and well-funded palliative care in private homes and in residential hospices. It’s a gift to people who would like to be prepared as they help fulfill the final wishes of a family member or friend.}