Can a fleeting, ineffable event so alter a person’s brain chemistry that thirty-five years later, nearly to the day, his life—his ordinary, slightly above-average, but otherwise unexceptional suburban life—can be turned upside down and inside out?

“Children Of An Idle Brain” is the true story of how, given the right circumstances, it really can happen. This book is a case study, in real time—time stretching over much of an adult life—of the power of that thing of which songwriter Cole Porter asked: “What is this thing called love? This funny thing called love. Just who can solve its mystery? Why should it make a fool of me?”

But make a fool of us love can and does. It did happen to Alan Mack, that ordinary, above-average suburban guy—a good husband, a good family man, a good boss, a good friend, someone you might meet for a drink after work—who thought he had a firm grip on life, but who otherwise won’t be worth reading a book about, except that he fell victim to “that funny thing called love.”

Have you ever wondered about the anatomy of love, its details? What brings it into being, what keeps it alive when it might otherwise flicker out? For centuries poets and novelists, wielding their penetrating insights, authorial skills and instinct for the truth, were our primary source of descriptions of how people in love behaved and communicated, from Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy to Alexei Vronsky and Anna Karenina to Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby.

But we live in a different age now, an age of science in which the study of love is being assumed by evolutionary biologists and chemists in lab coats wielding MRI scanners to look deep into our brains to see, if they can, how love affects its changes.

That's precisely what Alan Mack does in his eye-opening book, “Children Of An Idle Brain.” Mack's book challenges the conventions of storytelling and delves into the scientific recording of love, faithfully describing its real-life path from a barely discernible spark to an earthquake overturning the lives of all concerned. Along the way he confirms the wisdom of the novelists using the methods of the scientists.

“Children Of An Idle Brain” is not a “love story.” It's not a novel, nor is it a romantic tale "based on true events." It's an unfiltered account of love as it really happened–in the setting in which it actually occurred, the great American suburban middle-class in the latter half of the 20th century. Mack immerses us in the lives of everyday people navigating the surprising constraints and conventions that remained during a transformative period in our social history.

The narrative unfolds over five decades, tracing the journey of people who grew from naive young lovers into supposedly seasoned adults. This is a deep dive into the emotional heart of the contemporary American upper middle class, a class often taken for granted. From the 1950s onwards, Mack scrutinizes how love evolved amidst societal shifts, exploring the complexities of the human heart in the age of apparent liberation.

The human psyche is a labyrinth filled with contradictions, dreams, and emotions that defy easy description. “Children Of An Idle Brain” takes on the formidable task of unraveling these mysteries for the reader. Why do people change their minds? Suppress their feelings one day and follow them the next? Why do they dream the dreams they do, even love the music they love? Does love recast the very structure of the brain? These questions are dissected in remarkable detail, venturing into the dense, intricate, and often contradictory world of human emotion.

‌The characters in this narrative are far from legendary figures or fictional heroes. They are everyday people like you and me, grappling with the exhilarating and tumultuous journey of love.

In an age where facts and figures reign supreme, “Children Of An Idle Brain” stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of creativity and intelligence. Mack challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of those around us—about love, about connection, about family and friendship, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate dance of affection that extends beyond data and measurements.

If you've ever been curious about the enigmatic world of love, “Children Of An Idle Brain” is a must-read. It isn't just a story about love; it's an immersive journey into the depths of the human soul—into the mind in love as well as the heart. To the extent possible it unravels the mysteries of love in a way that challenges us to see the world through fresh, unfiltered lenses.

So, seize the opportunity to experience this book's captivating narrative. It promises to leave you pondering the mysteries of love long after you've turned the last page, redefining your understanding of one of humanity's most complex and enduring emotions.

About the author:

Alan Mack was a typical suburbanite who experienced modest business success. You could meet him on a tennis court, in a place of business, or at a PTA meeting. Yet he was also a fool for love, with dire consequences. Despite that and some of the inevitable embarrassing moments that produced, he believes that such a "case study" will be of interest to the general reader, who may begin to look at those around him a little differently. Alan’s book is an unfiltered look into the emotional world of the American middle class—a true reflection of how love expresses itself in our brains, and consequently in the contemporary world around us.

About the book:

"Children Of An Idle Brain" by Alan Mack is a revelatory exploration of love's enigmatic essence in our ever-evolving world. This captivating book takes us on a journey through the lives of ordinary individuals, unfolding their stories and the profound impact of love, all set against the backdrop of middle-class America from the 1950s to the present day. As scientists venture into the brain's complexities, Mack offers a unique perspective, chronicling the intricate workings of love and its transformative power. The narrative peels back the layers of human nature, probing the mysteries of emotion, dreams, and the subtle nuances of the brain in love.

Contact Information:

To get in contact with Alan Mack, please get in touch with his publicist, Peter Wilburt.

Availability:

"Children Of An Idle Brain” is out now on Amazon and at the major online bookstores. Do not miss this opportunity to purchase copies of this masterfully written literary work and savor a book that is well worth your time. It will be a treat for anyone curious about that complex emotion we call true love!

Paperback copy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Idle-Brain-Alan-Mack/dp/1088145388/
EBook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Idle-Brain-Alan-Mack-ebook/dp/B0C9J4G3PK/