scope:

Preface

In September 2007, when I received the invitation to write the second edition of The Female Brain, I was thrilled. I was also a bit dubious . . . would there be enough new information to warrant a second edition? I ran some literature searches and to my delight discovered that, indeed, research on the female brain has progressed. I began to plan the second edition. One of the first decisions I had to make was how to treat the new literature in the area. It was clear from the first literature search that some of the new experimental results that had been published were really confirming the results of earlier studies cited in the first edition. I had a choice of trading a study that I had cited originally for a newer one saying the same thing, listing every single confirmation of the original result, or sticking with the original and adding new references only when they amplified or clarified the results of the earlier study. I decided to go with the latter, which seemed to be the fairest solution. As a researcher myself, I know how frustrating it can be when you publish a result, someone else confirms it, and they get the citations rather than your original experiment. As for listing every replication, I think readability would have suffered. I also decided to add new sections on pregnancy, stress, and sleep.

I knew from the beginning that this was going to be a very different writing experience in comparison to the preparation of the first edition. We had study-leave plans and conference travel already finalized. Whether it is apparent or not, there should be a very international flavor to this book. Bits of it were written in Japan, Germany, Australia, and the United States. A lot of it was written in France. In fact, my first "thank you" is to the staff of the Hotel du Danube in Paris. For two wonderful months they made me feel comfortable and welcome, and provided a lovely, elegant environment for writing. The whole experience was a dream come true.

Many people have offered support and encouragement along the way, and I am grateful to each and every one of them. My friends on the Multi-Region Ethics Committee have punctuated our meetings with words of encouragement. My colleagues in our research group have been so thoughtful and supportive that I don't even know how to formulate an appropriate thank you.

I must express my appreciation to Associate Professor Robert Miller, who is the editor of this series. For almost twenty years now, Robert has been a source of inspiration to me. Finally, thank you to Paul and Max. My husband, Paul, who is ceaselessly amazed at the peculiarities of my spelling and grammar, has proofread, comforted, dealt with builders, cooked, and kept me up to date on the rugby scores. Our cat, Max, provided input and distractions for the first edition. He's a little older and wiser now and prefers to nap on a quilt or snooze on my lap while I work.

To all of you, thank you so very, very much.