Author(s): David Wolman

Popular Science

This is a light-hearted exploration into the history, psychology, science, and most of all, the culture of left-handedness. Readers who believe that "only left-handed people are in their right minds" will want to join David Wolman on his left-hand turn around the world, in search of the origin and meaning of the lefty mystique. In a quest to prove his premise of Southpaw superiority, his travels take him from the halls of history to the halls of science, as he visits a Scottish castle with a staircase designed for left-handed sword-fighting, and a California operating room where he watches cataract surgery performed by a left-handed doctor. He searches for the mystical significance of leftiness at a handwriting analysis conference and a palmistry workshop. Along the way, he meets colourful Southpaws such as Diabolos Rex, follower of the ancient religion of the Left Hand Path, and members of the National Association of Left-Handed Golfers of Japan. Weaving his personal experience with a blend of sharp-eyed reporting and intriguing personalities, Wolman crafts an entertaining narrative in praise of all things Southpaw.