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|  | Author: John Medina
Publisher: Pear Press
List Price: $29.95
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Rating:  85 reviews
Sales Rank: 11278
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 301
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4
ISBN: 0979777704
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.82
EAN: 9780979777707
ASIN: 0979777704
Publication Date: February 26, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 76-80 of 85
 Fascinating look at the space between your ears, as well as practical application... May 29, 2008
Thomas Duff (Portland, OR United States)
30 out of 32 found this review helpful
When an author and industry expert you hold in high regard says a book is the best one s/he's read in 2008, it's probably a good idea to take notice. So when Garr Reynolds of Presentation Zen fame recommended Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina, I decided that should be something I get sooner rather than later. After reading, I can see why he recommends the book so highly. Medina's 12 "brain rules" are based on solid science, but they're presented in such a way that you can actually apply your new-found knowledge.
Contents:
Exercise - Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power.
Survival - Rule #2: The human brain evolved, too.
Wiring - Rule #3: Every brain is wired differently.
Attention - Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.
Short-Term Memory - Rule #5: Repeat to remember.
Long-Term Memory - Rule #6: Remember to repeat.
Sleep - Rule #7: Sleep well, think well.
Stress - Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.
Sensory Integration - Rule #9: Stimulate more of the senses.
Vision - Rule #10: Vision trumps all other senses.
Gender - Rule #11: Male and female brains are different.
Exploration - Rule #12: We are powerful and natural explorers.
Acknowledgements
Index
When Reynolds reviewed the book on his site, he focused on how these rules pertain to the art of making presentations. Attention, as explained by Medina, means that the brain does not multitask (much to your bosses dismay), we notice patterns and abstract meanings better than recording detail, and you have basically 10 minutes before the audience checks out without a new stimulus. Vision, the sensory "trump card", is the dominant sense, our brain controls what we see (and it's not totally correct), the processes to "see" something are very complex, and most importantly, we remember and learn best through pictures and not written/spoken words. That one insight alone should be enough to make you totally rethink the way we attempt to present to people...
Now, even if you're not approaching the book from a presentation angle, the book is still outstanding. Something like memory, an act we take for granted, is a deep mystery that we still don't understand. Medina shows by studies and real-life examples how things *might* work, knowing full well we haven't even begun to understand but a fraction of what goes on there. Sleep, something that boosts brain power, is *not* a time of relaxation for the brain. In fact, it often kicks into overdrive. Why? There are still no definitive answers. But he does go on to prove how *lack* of sleep can utterly render you incapable of rational thought and physical action. When you've worked through all 12 of the brain rules, you'll have a more complete understanding of how you can affect the quality of your brain functioning, all the while being entertained and amazed at what lies between your ears.
Every time I got to the end of a chapter, I started to put the book down. But then I'd think "just one more and then I'll turn out the light." Needless to say, I was at the end before I knew it. Like Garr Reynolds, this is one of the best books I've read this year, and one that I'd recommend to others for a number of reasons and purposes.
Rule #0 Read this Book May 24, 2008
K. Sampanthar (Boston, MA)
50 out of 61 found this review helpful
The Summary
John Medina has written one of the best brain books I have read. He is a molecular biologist and director of Brain Center for Applied Learning at the Seattle Pacific University. He explains the latest research on the brain, and there have been a lot of advances recently on how the brain works. He boils them down to 12 rules that will help you in all walks of life. If you want an owner's manual for the brain then this is probably the one that should be handed out with every new-born.
The Audience
Everyone and I mean everyone should read this book! As long as they have a homo-sapien brain, if you have one of the older models; homo erectus, neanderthal you should probably wait for evolution! This is truly an owner's manual for the brain! If you are a student or knowledge worker you should run; yes running will actually help you digest the material in the book better (Rule #2 - Exercise - exercise boosts brain power); to buy it and read it! Medina outlines some of his own thoughts on how to leverage the rules in the home, school and work.
The Details
John Medina has written one of the best brain books I have read (Rule #5 Short Term Memory - repeat to remember, Rule #6 Long Term Memory - repeat to remember). There are many books out at the moment that talk about the latest research on brains but John's is undoubtedly the best. Neuroscience has taken some giant leaps in the understanding of how the brain works in the last 20 years. I was researching AI back in the early 90's and since then there has been a lot of new research in this area. For the last year I have been catching up and reading everything I can find on neuroscience and that was how I stumbled across Medina's book. I nearly put it aside since it seemed too basic but boy am I glad I didn't. This book is fun to read and I learned a lot. I love John's approach of only including research that follows certain criteria. For a study to appear in this book it has to pass the Medina Grump Factor (MGF) - (John refers to himself as a grumpy scientist)
1) Research must be published in a peer-reviewed journal
2) The research must be successfully replicated
Even though the material in this book is based on cutting edge research you should not feel intimidated. This book is well written and the material is presented following many of rules that are outlined. The book is actually a pleasure to read!
Following these rules has lead Medina to not only structure the book so it is easy to digest; adding stories, chunking information, providing summaries etc but he has also included a DVD with videos and an accompanying website with more information and references. This is truly a full sensory experience (Rule #4 - Attention - We don't pay attention to boring things!, Rule #9 - Sensory Information - Stimulate more of the senses, Rule #10 Vision - Vision trumps all other senses)
If you want to understand your brain and improve it; and everyone should want to understand their brain and improve it; you should read this book.
The Take-Aways
I can't say enough good things about this book. John Medina has written an excellent book leveraging all the latest research about the brain and turning it into a set of rules to remember. Your brain will never feel the same again! Read and then follow Medina's advice on how your brain remembers new information and how often you should review it (Rule #5 Short Term Memory - repeat to remember, Rule #6 Long Term Memory - repeat to remember).
Kes Sampanthar
Inventor of ThinkCube
Fantastic, engaging read! May 15, 2008
M. Cottam (AZ, USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is among the most engaging books on the topic of brain science and learning I have read - and I have read quite a few. The book is interesting for the experienced and accessible for the novice reader in the field. I use the book with my team of instructional designers to spark lively discussions on how we can work more effectively (e.g. no vain attempts at multitasking) and create more engaging, attention grabbing, memorable courses (e.g. hooks every 10 minutes).
I particularly enjoy the author's presentation of research studies in a storytelling format. Good research can be dry and difficult to digest, but not here. He also sprinkles relevant personal stories the reader can relate to throughout the chapters.
Fantastic read! Engaging media! I bought 5 copies.
Great Book - Audio Version Very Engaging April 21, 2008
Lee (Atlanta, GA USA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed learning about the brain research mentioned in this book. The author is very engaging and uses great examples to make the points. Be warned, the book does go into some pretty scientific info on brain research. While I did not understand it all, I felt like it was never out of my reach. I have already started reading the book again to catch some of the details I missed the first time. The best part is learning about all the ways we have structured our lives and culture that seem to work directly against the way the brain works.
Updated Easy to Understand Brain Science for Everyone April 19, 2008
Matt Taylor (Brooklyn, New York)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
This book is chock full of the latest brain science in an easy to understand format by an extremely engaging, funny, sharp man who will change the way you think about yourself, others, and the human brain. It's a must read for teachers and business owners but it's honestly totally accesible to anyone from any walk of life and the concepts apply across the board to everyone on earth. Best of all, it dispels many commonly held beliefs (right brain/left brain, 'you only use 10% of your brain' etc) in very clear terms. I am buying copies of this book for all family and friends for the next year until I've gotten through their birthdays and holidays. It really is that good. Do yourself a favor and spend the paltry amount of cash this excellent book costs. You will wind up inspired!
Incidentally, if you ever have the opportunity to see John lecture, see if you can find a way to attend. His presentations are the living embodiment of the fundamentals from the book and he will have you in stitches to boot!
Showing reviews 76-80 of 85
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