My Stroke of Insight

By: Jill Bolte Taylor

Narrated by: Jill Bolte Taylor

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

On the morning of December 10, 1996 Jill Bolte Taylor, a 37-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist experienced a massive stroke when a blood vessel exploded in the left side of her brain. A neuroanatomist by profession, she observed her own mind completely deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life, all within the space of four brief hours.

As the damaged left side of her brain - the rational, grounded, detail and time-oriented side - swung in and out of function, Taylor alternated between two distinct and opposite realties: the euphoric nirvana of the intuitive and kinesthetic right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace; and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized Jill was having a stroke, and enabled her to seek help before she was lost completely.

In My Stroke of Insight, Taylor shares her unique perspective on the brain and its capacity for recovery, and the sense of omniscient understanding she gained from this unusual and inspiring voyage out of the abyss of a wounded brain. It would take eight years for Taylor to heal completely. Because of her knowledge of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and most of all an amazing mother, Taylor completely repaired her mind and recalibrated her understanding of the world according to the insights gained from her right brain that morning of December 10th.

Today Taylor is convinced that the stroke was the best thing that could have happened to her. It has taught her that the feeling of nirvana is never more than a mere thought away. By stepping to the right of our left brains, we can all uncover the feelings of well-being and peace that are so often sidelined by our own brain chatter.

A fascinating journey into the mechanics of the human mind, My Stroke of Insight is both a valuable recovery guide for anyone touched by a brain injury, and an emotionally stirring ...

©2008 Jill Bolte Taylor (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Transformative...[Taylor's] experience...will shatter [your] own perception of the world." (ABC News)

"[Dr. Taylor] brings a deep personal understanding to something she long studied: that the two lobes of the brain have very different personalities." (The New York Times)

"Fascinating...invaluable...fearless...This book is about the wonder of being human." (Robert Koehler, Tribune Media Services)

thank you

you touched my senses as a therapist and a whole me..I will help both better

what an eye opening and fascinating read

This book was an eye opening and fascinating read. I love the author broke down the brain so we could understand what happens in our daily lives as well as during an emergency.

Dr Jill is Brilliant!

Intelligent and heart centered, the work of Dr Jill Bolte Taylor has the power to bring about fundamental change. Change with the power to foster lasting personal and collective Peace, Peace in our hearts, Peace in our world. Thank you Dr Jill, you sing the song of my heart ❤️

Subjectivity void of presupposition

Where does My Stroke of Insight rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

On a scale of 1 - 10 about a 9.7

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Stroke of Insight?

When she talked about dealing with fear

What does Jill Bolte Taylor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her real life interpretation of the best way to navigate through a world full of crisis

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fact that it took her so many years to write and rewrite the novel

A must read for stroke survivors

My father had a stroke one year ago and this book was helpful to know that the brain continues to heal and grow even past when the doctors tell you that after one year it's all over. Very understandable and interesting. A fascinating discussion of the brain.

Very eye opening and exciting!

What a great book! So many insights on the brain and how it affects us day to day - moment by moment - and how we can be in charge of how we use it. I look forward to yielding more to my right brain for the remainder of my life in order to have a fuller, richer, and more beautiful journey! ❤️

Fascinating insight!

I love this book! Fascinating to understand more about our brains. If you have a loved one with any sort of brain injury this is a must-read (or listen). If you are curious about how your own brain works read or listen to this book. May this provide deeper understanding to everyone who works with or cares for someone with a brain injury.

Interesting and insightful.

I sought out this book after hearing a TED talk by this author. I listened to the audiobook, however, and I suspect that this book would be better experienced on paper. While Jill Bolte Taylor's story is extraordinary, she is not a professional writer nor narrator and, frankly, it detracts a bit from the information she is communicating. There's a bit of repetition, and that would really be no problem for a reader of the written word, but it becomes more glaring for the listener. Also, I listened to a couple of chapters at a time over a period of about two weeks, but five and half hours straight of her tone and cadence would have been too much for me. Overall I am grateful she has written this book and I heartily recommend it. After hearing it, I went out and purchased paperback versions to give as gifts.

Insightful and well done

What did you love best about My Stroke of Insight?

As an occupational therapist, the book gave me a look into the experience of a stroke that most patients can not provide as they are experiencing or initially recovering. The fact that she not only had the background but paid attention throughout her experience and managed to write it all down is mind blowing. Considering that her primary areas of difficulty were language and more complex thought, she is an inspiration.

What other book might you compare My Stroke of Insight to and why?

I Am the Central Park Jogger - about a woman who survives a brutal attack and documents her rehabilitation. Again, getting perspective on recovery and survival is not only interesting to follow but a learning opportunity.

What does Jill Bolte Taylor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The fact that she read it herself after experiencing such a significant brain bleed never ceased to amaze me. But she also can go into minute detail of the functions of the brain and how this all comes together and plays out in functional ability....She made me able to further understand all of the processes and anatomy on such a deeper level than before. And after a stroke!

Great book.

An amazing trip into a re-builded brain. I can not see my own brain in the same way as before. If you are interested in the plasticity of the brain, this is your book.