|  | Author: Norman Doidge M.D.
Creator: Jim Bond
Publisher: Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD
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Rating:  182 reviews
Sales Rank: 161040
Format: Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: MP3 CD
Edition: MP3 Una
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 1423368010
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.8
EAN: 9781423368014
ASIN: 1423368010
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
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Showing reviews 11-15 of 182
 A Guided Tour of Neural Plasticity December 6, 2009
Matthew Caldwell (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As the title implies, "The Brain That Changes Itself" is an extensive and thoroughly enjoyable look at the history of neural plasticity, albeit from the point of view of a staunch supporter. I found the book to be very well organized, and Doidge's arguments to be very cohesive. The book chapters are filled mostly with stories and case studies regarding a common theme in the study of neural plasticity.
Doidge begins by relating the story of Paul Bach-y-Rita's research and efforts to debunk the widely held localizationist theories of the 20th century. He presents some more dramatic case studies such as Cheryl who used her tongue to learn to stand after a debilitating brain injury or Barbara, a seemingly retarded woman, who ended up with advanced degrees and a successful research career (these stories are every bit as interesting as they sound). Doidge relates again and again how massive and usually debilitating brain injuries were overcome by physical and mental therapies.
Following his analysis of catastrophic brain injuries and defects, Doidge gives examples of more everyday plasticity. He relates how common disorders such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can be attributed to (often minor) traumas and incidents during the critical childhood period. He talks about several schools which have had great success rehabilitating victims of those and other disorders through concentrated and prolonged efforts to retrain the brain. He also gives examples of how plasticity can affect even our emotions or sexual tastes.
In the final chapters, Doidge relates what he calls the "paradox of plasticity." He explains that, while plasticity can be used to treat crippling injuries, it can also be responsible for equally crippling mental disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. He explains how rewired neural circuitry can create phantom pain in amputated limbs, reinforce bad habits into addictions, and give rise to compulsive behavior. He further delves into the field of psychoanalysis and reveals the power of thought. He describes many cases where psychoanalysis and new ways of thinking provoke measurable changes in the structure of the brain. He relates one study where a group of people were able to strengthen their finger muscles just by imagining daily finger exercises. As Doidge puts it: "...But now we can see that our "immaterial" thoughts too have a physical signature, and we cannot be so sure that thought won't someday be explained in physical terms. While we have yet to understand exactly how thoughts actually change brain structure, it is now clear that they do, and the firm line Descartes drew between mind and brain is increasingly a dotted line."
Finally, for those that make it past the last chapter, the appendices and notes section actually contains a wealth of interesting information. Doidge annotated and explained all of the case studies and references that he uses in the preceding chapters, and included some interesting additional arguments about the nature of culture and its effects on the brain.
As with any book that isn't a textbook, "The Brain That Changes Itself" is filled with opinions. Fortunately, many of these opinions are well supported, but readers new to the field could benefit from some time spent in the notes section. Overall the writing style is casual, easy to follow, and very engaging. I particularly enjoyed Doidge's heavy use of case studies to prove his points. Most of the case studies were tremendously interesting, and I regard them as one of the book's best features. I would say that this book is a good read for any audience, but less interesting for those that already have an extensive background in neuroscience. As a final note, I would highly recommend the Kindle version of this book. Unlike some electronic books I have read, the formatting was great, there were no typos, and the book was organized in such a way that I didn't waste time constantly scrolling or flipping pages back and forth.
Fascinating November 28, 2009
M. Hyman (Seattle, WA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is an easy to read, approachable book about the miracles of the brain. It reviews, through various themes and anecdotes, many past theories about how the brain works, and reveals many new fascinating findings about how dynamic the brain really is. Much of the book centers around the brain's ability to self correct after injury, and it reveals fascinating research about treatments for stroke, autism, and many of ther issues of the brain.
The book combines science with human interest and history, discussing not only what is going on, but the people who are doing the research and who have made some key discoveries.
If you are interested in psychology or neurophysiology, but are not in the field, this is a great book and very thought provoking. (It might be great if you are in the field as well, but I'm not so I don't know to what extent the book covers material you will think is common knowledge.)
Definitely worth reading.
One of My All Time Favorite Books November 25, 2009
Frank S. Kalich (Lawrence, KS United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
What follows is a comment I made to a reviewer who gave this book a 1-star rating. As I put this much effort into it, I thought to post it as a stand alone review. Keep in mind, this is in response to a severe critic of the author.
"All I can tell you is that I have myself applied his principles towards personal efforts and finding the results in my view, dramatic. You are trashing him in a way I often see author's trashed, I would call it nit picking. I see this done on histories, other books of merit. You fail to appreciate that the book is full of very wise advice. I don't care if other books have wise advice, that does not diminish from this book. It does not matter that much if it is correct of not. Who cares? Most people want to find an efficient way to get from point A to point B. I find myself applying his model, and am finding the results to be very remarkably positive. Specifically on guitar I am achieving finger independence (essential for real artistry) by changing my way of practicing, understanding that practicing in a manner where my fingers were not moving independently was reinforcing a mushed up brain mapping. The author makes it clear that change requires discipline and concentration. I really was not aware that I did not concentrate as I should, and am finding that when I concentrate precisely, the changes come even faster, as the author has stated. I also have applied his principles towards other endeavors, such as learning Spanish. I don't care if he is fully correct or not, he has wonderful practical advice if one listens to him. This book can help people. However it clearly takes discipline and careful observation of your habits to put his model into practice. The two major guidelines I feel are (1) Do things correctly, go back to square 1, patiently do things correctly and let the undesirable synapses weaken, build up a new desirable network, don't continue the bad habits, find a way to proceed where you don't you don't reinforce the bad habits (this required some careful observation and thought in my case), be patient and disciplined, and (2) Concentrate! It works for me, I am sure of that. Also in anger control. I have 8 cats that used to drive me nuts with their needs and being annoying, jumping on me when I am trying to concentrate while practicing, etc. I came to understand I just had a neural network that triggered anger. I started letting that pass, to catch myself, looking at it as just a wired response. Just now one of them jumped up, knocked a bunch of stuff off, broke something. I did not even get mad, not at all. The neural network in my mind has changed, the anger response has weakened and no longer fires. I don't care if it is correct, that what the author claims, actually happened or not. Following the model has worked for me, dramatically. I don't know if regular exercise and new mental challenges will keep me sharp at age 90. However, regardless, I don't see myself kicking myself on my death bed because I kept physically fit in my life, and intellectually involved. I realize your point of view. But you focus on what really has no importance, it is not like the author is going to determine where research money goes. This is a book for the average person, and if it helps the average person, or can help, it is a great book, regardless of irrelevant (for any practical purpose) flaws that you might find."
Things I wish I had known years ago November 20, 2009
P. Tew
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A friend of mine was recommending this book to another friend and I was intriqued by what she was saying. I had no idea that the book would contain as much information as it does, fascinating information. I am loving it!
A few thoughts... November 18, 2009
Clarke Morgan (UT USA)
This book ought to be read right after you read Learned Optimism. It will change the way you look at your limitations. "The Brain..." gives example after example of people that should not have been able to change their lives, at least according to outdated theories that are proven wrong in this work.
There have been so many excellent reviews, that I will not go into detail about the contents of the book, but I would like to share my thoughts as I finished reading it.
Several years ago, I read a book that struck a chord with me: Out Of the Box for Life. Many of the ideas in that book are right in line with Learned Optimism. As a person that grew up in a less than perfect home (didn't we all?), I found the frame of reference that I gained from reading these three books to be liberating. The thoughts that have grown from my reading these three books focus on my ability to control my life. "The Brain..." solidifies the scientific proof presented in Learned Optimism, which reinforced the paradigm shift that was presented by Out of the Box for Life by Berland.
I have learned that we all have agency to create what ever we can envision for ourselves. We can make a difference in the lives of those around us. It is better to believe that we are in control (because we mostly are) than to believe that we have no control. Those thoughts will most assuredly create failure. If a thought is based in truth, builds yourself and others, then it it should be nurtured. Thoughts that may be true, but do not build others, or opportunities, should not be focused on.
A lot of the self help books I have read through the years were really based in science. This is good news. We are in control of our destinies. We can think for ourselves. We can grow and have fulfilling lives. It is up to us.
Sorry for the ramblings... you may find yourself rambling like this after reading these books as well. Just get them a read them. See if you do not have a better outlook on life, and better control of your future.
Showing reviews 11-15 of 182
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