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|  | Author: Norman Doidge M.D.
Creator: Jim Bond
Publisher: Brilliance Audio Unabridged Lib Ed
This item is no longer available
Rating:  182 reviews
Sales Rank: 3711569
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Audio Cassette
Edition: Library
Number Of Items: 10
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.7 x 5.1 x 2.3
ISBN: 1423367987
EAN: 9781423367987
ASIN: 1423367987
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 182
 Fascinating book for anyone with a brain or even half a brain! October 18, 2009
B. Lovelace (cville va)
This is one of the most inspirational and interesting books I have ever read. A scientific study of the incredible plasticity of the human brain. It proves that human (and perhaps animal) potentiality is unlimited. I can't recommend this book enough!
Fantastic book October 17, 2009
Maire Threasa (Boston)
Absolutely fascinating, I loved this book and have bought numerous copies for family members. Book has been very well received by family members I have given it to.
My advice:if you are interested in neuroplasticity-buy this book.
Everyone has to read this book October 15, 2009
D. K. (Salt Lake City, Utah)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Anyone who thinks we cannot change must read this book. Every chapter is filled with engaging examples of how people have reshaped their lives, and without scalpels or drugs. This book is a persuasive testament to the power of human transformation.
Kip Kreiling, Author of "The Imposter? - How a Juvenile Criminal Succeeded in Business And Life"
The Brain that Changes itself review October 1, 2009
Jessica M. Zeineh
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this book after reading the first few pages. I was hooked. I'm a believer in human abilities and the potential for growth beyond what we perceive. This book goes on the idea that human brain potential is relatively so vast that our capabilities to heal and grow are still unknown. The brain is such a complex machine. Its a miracle. The book has a lot of clinical data and detail into the individual studies performed, so if you like detail, you'll like this book. It also has areas that discuss and speculate on potential and it really makes you sit back and think... WE CAN DO ANYTHING. I loved it.
 Mostly Good, But Read With Care September 30, 2009
K. Buitron (CO, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Brain that changes itself is about brain plasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt and change in the face of adversity...for the most part. The book has its flaws (see "the bad", and "the ugly") but the full range of damage and injury that is covered in this book makes it a must read. I believe that everyone will will encounter someone in their lifetime with at least one of these injuries and understanding what this book teaches will help us understand the situation and treatment options much more completely. Because of the flaws, I think this is a good read as long as you take the time to think about the text and draw connections between the chapters.
The Good:
Most of the chapters in this book are devoted to striking and impressive examples of brains overcoming damage caused from genetic learning disabilities, acquired injuries, cancer, and strokes. Norman Doidge for the most part does an admirable job of showing how all sorts of diseases and injuries that were considered incurable are now curable with a variety of different treatment methods developed by a serious of very interesting and intelligent people.
Also, to me, the most interesting section was in the appendix that explained about not only the plasticity of the brain but plasticity associated with culture and physical changes (and how that related to the brain), I would love to see a whole book on the subject.
The Bad:
There is some serious problem with organization. For some reason, he throws the chapter "Acquiring Tastes and Loves" in the middle of the book. It is a chapter devoted to more subtle forms of brain plasticity and how it relates to love and fetishes...nothing to do with any of the exciting stuff like caner or any of that (I actually never finished the chapter because it interrupted the book so much). I think this chapter and a different chapter "Turning our ghosts into ancestors" belongs in a different section of the book that specifically relates brain plasticity to more normal psychological conditions and explains how psychotherapy can be beneficial in aiding these less radical changes (I am pretty sure that is the point he wants to make).
Also, (A more personal peeve) I think he missed out on a great opportunity to talk about those few baffling people that appear to have virtually no brain just a bunch of cerebrospinal fluid in their skulls and yet lead reasonably normal lives. He could have speculated on the density of the brain cells or even the potential for other nerve cells to take over brain function. Or just left it as a medical marvel and indicated that there is yet more to learn about brain plasticity. (I am aware of the doubts regarding this info, but he could have easily addressed all the issues and opened our minds up to the possibilities of even more plastic change)
The Ugly:
He is very opinionated and really loves some of these scientists paying them far more attention in the text than other equally impressive scientists. He does tend to take a more permissive view on animal experimentation, so if that bothers you, get the book from your library (I borrowed it from a friend), it's still worth reading for the information on techniques for overcoming disadvantages.
There were several places where he made implied contradictions; they could be easy to miss since the contradicting sentences are at the beginning and the end of the book. Also, I think he missed out on some great places to tie things together for the reader and perhaps smooth over the contradictions.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 182
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