Includes bibliographic references and index.

Part one: Understanding (yourself). 1. The scientific method of the mind -- 2. The brain attic: what is it and what's in there? -- Part two: From observation to imagination. 3. Stocking the brain attic: the power of observation -- 4. Exploring the brain attic: the value of creativity and imagination -- Part three: The art of deduction. 5. Navigating the brain attic: deduction from the facts -- 6. Maintaining the brain attic: education never stops -- Part four: The science and art of self-knowledge. 7. The dynamic attic: putting it all together -- 8. We're only human -- Postlude.

What is it that separates Sherlock Holmes from his long-suffering friend and side-kick Dr John Watson? What makes Holmes such a superior detective, able to piece together clues and solve problems that seem elementary to Watson only in hindsight? And can we - most of us Watsons ourselves - ever harness a bit of Holmes' extraordinary powers of mind, not to solve crimes, but simply to improve our lives at work and home?