Does being left—handed make a person different in any way that matters?Since the late Stone Age, approximately 10 percent of humans have been left—handed, yet for most of human history left—handedness has been stigmatized. In On the Other Hand, Howard I. Kushner traces the impact of left—handedness on human cognition, behavior, culture, and health. A left—hander himself, Kushner has long been interested in the meanings associated with left—handedness, and ultimately with whether hand preference can even be defined in a significant way. As he explores the medical and cultural history of left—handedness, Kushner describes the associated taboos, rituals, and stigma from around the globe. The words “left” and “left hand” have negative connotations in all languages, and left—handers have even historically been viewed as disabled.In this comprehensive history of left—handedness, Kushner asks why left—handedness exists. He examines the relationship—if any—between handedness, linguistics, and learning disabilities, reveals how toleration of left—handedness serves as a barometer of wider cultural toleration and permissiveness, and wonders why the reported number of left—handers is significantly lower in Asia and Africa than in the West. Written in a lively style that mixes personal biography with scholarly research, On the Other Hand tells a comprehensive story about the science, traditions, and prejudices surrounding left—handedness.