Emotional Rollercoaster: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings

Description

We cannot help but be fascinated by the emotions that we see in ourselves and others: an absorbing book exploring the extraordinary feelings which make us human, from a rising media star. Claudia Hammond wrote and presented the acclaimed and very popular Radio 4 series 'Emotional Rollercoaster' which explored the science of emotions: what they are, why they happen and how they are created. Emotional Rollercoaster takes the reader through the full spectrum of emotions: fear, sadness, anger, happiness, disgust, hate, jealousy, love, sympathy and guilt. It traces the progress from fear, which is present from birth, to more complex emotions like sympathy and hope and explores the science behind them. Each emotion is vividly evoked by Claudia's experiences and those of others. This unique book explains clearly and memorably everything from why we feel better after a good cry to how bottling up your anger can be good for you. Packed with surprising discoveries and eccentric stories, Emotional Rollercoaster argues that emotions are far more complex than we realise.

Claudia Hammond was born in 1971 and has a degree in applied psychology and a Msc in health psychology. She regularly presents her own distinctive series on Radio 4 including Brain Waves, Raging Hormones, The ABC of Vitamins and Sense the Difference. She lectures part-time in psychology for the Open University and her research in health psychology has been published. She is also a frequent contributor to the Guardian and the Independent. Emotional Rollercoaster: a Journey Through the Science of Feelings is her first book.

'Hammond summarises a formidable array of current research, weaving this gently between personal anecdotes, detailed accounts of some of the more lurid and entertaining experiments and nuggets of hard fact.' Emma Crichton-Miller, Sunday Telegraph 'Learn all about emotions with this book full of mind-bending facts. The answers to the questions affect all of us who ride the emotional rollercoaster every day.' Sam Wostear, The Sun The R4 series Emotional Rollercoaster was described as "a wonderful series" by the Observer, "spellbinding" by the Irish Times and "a fascinating kaleidoscope of voices, observations and ideas" by the Sunday Express