To keep this text from serving primarily as an undergraduate sleep aid, Wolfe (Harvard U.) explains that he and his colleagues sought to convey their enthusiasm for the field by offering chapters telling coherent, interesting stories. The colorfully-illustrated chapters cover early philosophers' views on perception to current research- based understanding of neurobiological, genetic, and social factors in normal and impaired sensory perception. An extensive glossary is a plus. A companion student Website is available. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR