Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin

As the author of over 30 books, Ashley Montagu will not disappoint his followers with this latest volume. One thesis of this book is that the skin is one of the more important organ systems of the body. Although few can deny this obvious point, critical readers may object to Montagu's interpretations that include over-generalizations from research in non-human species, overdrawn arguments, and selection of integumentary conclusions from studies involving multiple organ systems. The book's weakest point is its discussion of integrative functions performed by the skin in relation to other organ systems of the body. During early life, the skin functions as an encompassing sensory system which provides the organism with a barrage of data about the world outside. Individuals such as Helen Keller expanded the possibilities of the skin as a sensory system. She was able to develop her mind largely in response to tactile stimulation. More usually,