The common understanding has been that the mind responds to danger in one of two ways--"fight or flight." But as scientists unlock the secrets of the brain, a more complex understanding of the fear response has emerged. The ancient brain circuitry wired to process fear is also intricately tied to our ability to master new skills, and the sensation of terror can actually enhance both our physical and our mental performance. Science journalist Jeff Wise explores the primal force: Where does panic come from? How do some people perform masterfully under pressure? How can we live a more courageous life? Reporting from the front lines of science, Wise takes us into labs where scientists are learning how we make decisions when confronted with physical peril, how time is perceived when the mind is on high alert, and how willpower succeeds or fails in controlling fear.--From publisher description.