Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 327
 Wonderful book... Everyone should read Stroke of Insight December 15, 2009
Mary Jo Jurista
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had already read My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD. It was a library loan and I wanted to have that book on hand almost like a handbook on how to treat anyone who had a stroke. So I ordered three books, with the idea to give two away at Christmas. Got the package in no time. Well wrapped. No problem. Prompt delivery. Meanwhile, I've read another book, Don't Leave Me This Way, by Julia Fox Garrison, which tells of a right brain stroke, whereas Bolte's was left brain. Both books made me realize I've got to watch my blood pressure, though those two strokes were aberrant ones indeed, hitting either at 37 years old, and caused by other than high blood pressure or a blockage. Their varied experiences teaches much, and should be required reading for anyone treating or helping a stroke patient.
 good for left brainers December 8, 2009
sugarloaf (colorado)
I think this book is could be great for people who are really into science and have not delved much into spirituality. It makes an attempt at connecting the two. I did however find the writing to be repetitive and a bit boring, which is understandable considering she has only learned to read and write with in the last few years! From the perspective of having read a lot about spirituality it doesn't really bring much new to the table, and it over simplifies 'Finding your deep inner peace', as she puts it. She says that the first thing she does is remember that she is part of the whole. This works great if you have had a profound experience of connecting to the whole, however for most, this is simply a concept, and at best can only get in our way.
If you are interested in the brain, then I recommend this book. If you are on a spiritual path, I wouldn't bother. There are many more amazing books out there on the subject.
Fascinating Concept, But Poor Execution December 7, 2009
Jessica A. Bartelmay
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Introduction:
"My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientists Personal Journey" by Jill Bolte Taylor examines the personal journey of a stroke survivor as she explores how the brain functions and struggles to recover the abilities she lost. This review seeks to provide a synopsis of the book, as well as present an opinion on the arguments and writing style of the book. "My Stroke of Insight" demonstrates the roles of the left and right hemispheres of the brain in determining who we are, and Taylor makes her book easily accessible to a wide audience with her ability to combine neuroscience with an inspirational message of recovery and rehabilitation.
Synopsis:
Jill Taylor is a thirty-seven-year-old neuroanatomist who experienced a stroke as a result of a blood vessel rupture in the left hemisphere of her brain caused by an arteriovenous malformation (a form of hemorrhagic stroke cause by a congenital disorder where the artery is connected directly to the vein without a buffering capillary bed in between). Her stroke resulted in the loss of her motor control and her skills of higher cognition, including language and memory retrieval. This book chronicles her personal experience during the stroke as she observed her cognitive abilities and motor skill deteriorate as well as her inspirational, eight year struggle of recovery and rehabilitation. In addition to her personal account of the stroke, Taylor provides insights into the lessons she learned from the stroke on how to access the right hemisphere of the brain and achieve a feeling of nirvana. As a neuroanatomist, Taylor provides a valuable and unique perspective on how it feels to have a stroke as well as what happens to the mind during trauma to the brain.
Review:
The first half of "My Stroke of Insight" is very intriguing and compelling because it offers a unique perspective on the devastating effects of a stroke on cognitive function. Taylor is able to successfully communicate her gradual deterioration and loss of function staring form the time she awoke to the point where she was finally able to focus her attention and call for help. Her personal narrative as well as the thoughts that crossed through her mind as she fought to gain control of her motor and cognitive functions enable to reader to understand how the increase in blood loss in the brain slowly destroys the ability to talk, recall memory, walk, and see. Her personal narrative follows her recovery as well as her description of the way she had to train her brain to re-establish all of the neural pathways she lost during the stroke. This book is a valuable example of what happens during recovery, especially what is needed from caregivers to facilitate patient recovery. She also does an excellent job of describing the state of mind necessary to facilitate recovery, because Taylor essentially became an infant in an adult body, and she had to retrain herself and rebuild her knowledge.
In my opinion, the second half of the book completely destroyed the credibility and value of the book by transforming it from a journey of personal recovery to a self-help motivational book about achieving deep inner peace. The last couple of chapters in which she describes the insights she obtained from her stroke centers around her belief that you can awaken the consciousness of the right-hemisphere to achieve nirvana and universal peace. It describes how she was able to remove all of her negative thoughts, and prevent herself from relearning jealously and anger during her recovery. The metaphysical nature of the last few chapters and overall message that the stroke was the best thing to happen to Taylor because it taught her that everyone can uncover feelings of well-being and oneness with the universe by quieting the left-hemisphere of the brain and living through the right-hemisphere.
Style and Structure:
This book is both informative and entertaining, and the author's writing style, while not always clear or concise, makes the book accessible to the layman. This book is targeted to individuals who are stroke survivors, caregivers, or have a family member or friend who is a stroke survivor, and the personal narrative effectively communicates the author's message. Taylor uses simple and clear explanations to describe the neuroscience behind strokes, and the incorporation of illustrations clarifies the scientific content of the book. The author's writing style for her internal dialogue during both her stroke and recovery is repetitive and at times, difficult to follow. Taylor writes to a general audience and she successfully simplifies the scientific content, but it is evident that she is not a professional author because the book reads more like fiction than a personal account of recovery.
Although the style of the writing is not always effective, the organization and structure of "My Stroke of Insight" enhances the book's central focus and the chapters transition well from one topic to the next. The general structure of the book consists of four sections: Taylor's life before the stroke, the morning of the stroke, the recovery, and Taylor's personal insights from the stroke. The first portion of the book provides a brief synopsis of Taylor's life prior to the stroke as well as a basic review of the neuroscience of strokes in order to establish the scientific framework for the remainder of the book. The chronological structure of the book enables the reader to better follow the author on her road to recovery. The narrative during the stroke and recovery is often repetitive, and Taylor's ability to recall her thoughts with such great detail as she was losing her higher cognitive functions is questionable.
Interesting Quotes:
"I was momentarily privy to a precise and experimental understanding of how hard the fifty trillion cells in my brain and body were working in perfect unison to maintain the flexibility and integrity of my physical form (39)."
"Without the linearity associated with the constant brain directives of my left brain, I struggled to maintain a cognitive connection to my external reality (48)."
"No longer capable of perceiving temperature, vibration, pain, or proprioceptions, your awareness of physical boundaries shift (79)."
"It was as if I had an infant brain again and had to learn virtually everything from scratch (93)."
Recommendations:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading portions of "My Stroke of Insight"; however, I believe the latter half of the book, which describes achieving deep inner peace by accessing the right hemisphere of the brain, reduces both the value and credibility of the book's information on strokes and the brain. By combining neuroscience, a personal journey of recovery and the author's personal insights as a result of her stroke, this book examines the devastating effects of strokes on the neurocircuitry of the brain as well as analyzes the steps required for rehabilitation. "My Stroke of Insight" appeals to all readers on some level, whether it is the inspirational message of recovery and finding inner peace or the science behind strokes and brain trauma. I recommend this book to anyone interested in how strokes alter the mind and brain, especially in regards to recovery of function and understanding strokes from the patient's perspective. However, if the reader is looking for a more scientific analysis of the impact of a stroke on the brain, I would recommend a different book or suggest skipping the latter half of the book where the author provides her personal insights.
Nice Clean Book December 7, 2009
M. Shiver
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book was received in "New" condition and was very nice. It seemed to take a longer time than prior buys. I am very pleased with the company, would buy from them again. Thanks. M.S.
GREAT- BOOK December 5, 2009
Loves flats (california)
Great book, I met Jill Bolte Taylor and what a wonderful woman. As she tells her story you just dont move for two and a half hours what she went through for 8 years and is still finding things coming to her after 12 years is amazing.If you ever have a chance to hear her speak please do.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 327
|
