Astrobiological Neurosystems: Rise and Fall of Intelligent Life Forms in the Universe by Jerry L. Cranford
The core of the book explains (and presents educated guesses) how nervous systems evolved on Earth, how they work, and how they might work on other worlds. Combining his knowledge of neuroscience, computers, and astrobiology the author jumps into the discussion whether biological nervous systems are just the first step in the rise of intelligence in the Universe.
The book ends with a description from both the psychologist's and the neuroscientist's viewpoints, exactly what it is about the fields of astrobiology and astronomy that boggles the minds of many amateur astronomers and interested non-scientists.
This book stands out from other popular science books on astrobiology by making the point that astro-neurobiologists need to begin thinking about how alien nervous systems might work.