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)

Tending The Garden of Your Mind

I found this audiobook to be a very unique, rewarding, and surprising experience. I don't think the book could have been written as effectively by anyone other than a brain scientist such as Jill Bolte Taylor. No one else could be coming from the same unique perspective or have the same awareness and deep knowledge of what was happening during and after a catastrophic stroke. Audible provides a very thorough description of what happened to Jill. However, you simply must listen to her story and keep an open mind as you yourself experience one surprise after another.

You may wonder what it felt like during her stroke, did she know what was happening, how did she get help, how did she rehabilitate so successfully while so many others are permanently affected and damaged? You will find out through the author's own voice and words. I found myself fascinated with how it felt to the victim immediately after her stroke and through the recovery process. I never once imagined that stroke damage could feel wonderful and that anyone would have to make themselves choose recovery over status quo! How could that be? Don't we all want to be the way we were before the damage occurred?

Be aware that in the last parts of the story, Bolte Taylor, feeling fully recovered, discusses much of her personal philosophy about her mind and the mind in general. I think her recommendations are immensely helpful if one is able to ponder what she says both during and after the audiobook experience. This seems to be the challenge for us all, giving up the hustle and bustle of our current lives and taking the time to still and ponder our present. I am very inspired by this book which turned out to be an unexpected gem for me.

As far as narration, as I listened I kept hoping it was Jill narrating. It was. How could anyone else capture the right inflections and feelings as well as the author/stroke victim, herself? No, she is not a professional narrator and her voice will reveal that, but there is something to said for someone narrating their own personal experience. What you may lose from lack of professionalism, you gain from authenticity.

Highly recommended for the thoughtful and the curious.

Brain Candy for those interested in Enlightenment

Would you consider the audio edition of My Stroke of Insight to be better than the print version?

Unsure only listened to it so can't compare

What three words best describe Jill Bolte Taylor’s voice?

honest, mildly annoying

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

I found the author's descriptions and explanations about how her stroke affected her mind both in the moment and after during recovery particularly engrossing. As someone who is interested in meditation, calming the mind and developing strategies for improving brain function her discussion of the right and left brain and her experiences with language loss and reprogramming her brain were fascinating.

Any additional comments?

It is a quick listen but very thought provoking.

Amazing insightful, and emotionally profound

Amazing insightful, and emotionally profound I loved this book. When I bought it I thought it would ba an interesting trip through the ins and outs of left brain, but she delved deep into the meaning of life without ego or pretension, and did so beautifully. What a gift to the world that she survived to share it.

A beautiful inspiring incredible gift to the world!

My mom had a stroke in December 2009. She was completely healthy before that and after. She read a stroke of insight and was moved, inspired and encouraged by Jill’s story. At the time I had small children and not a lot of time or energy… It didn’t even occur to me somehow to read this book that my mom was so grateful for. I just finished listening to the audible book. my stroke of insight, 7 years after my mom‘s death. Throughout the book I wished so much that I had read it when my mom was still alive… To be able to share it with her, to ask her questions, and to be of more help to her than I was able to be at the time. This book has helped me on so many levels… It has helped me to understand my mom‘s experience. As a nurse it has helped me better understand how to serve my patients in a better way… On a spiritual level it has inspired and amazed me with the possibilities of our brains. I find this story and Jill‘s experience to be so valuable and such a gift that she has given all of us by sharing her experience and insights. Thank you so much Jill. I will be listening to this book over and again. And sharing it with as many people as will listen.

A stroke can be mind blowing!

I first heard about this book when the author was interviewed on Oprah. I was intrigued and wanted to read it. Wow! What an experience and she was able to articulate it I well.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a loved one or a friend who has suffered a stroke. Also any medical professionals who work with stroke victims. My son was studying to become an OT and I sent him the book. He told me that it was mandatory reading. He loved it as well.

“Audible 20 Sweepstakes Review Entery”

All Neuro nurses should read this book!

How many times as a Neuro nurse did I think I was doing the right thing by turning on the tv to stimulate my patients brain. I am an Neuro educator in a large teaching hospital. I am totally amazed at how much she learned from her stroke and was able to share. I appreciate her insight on stroke and on life itself. I know from now on, I will step to the right when things are difficult.

great book

loved listening to this book. I will listen again. I always thought something was wrong with growing up, I am an artist as well as art teacher. this book puts into words. what I could feel but not express.

Thank You

I started reading your book the day after my brother suffered a stroke (at the age of 37). It helped me gain insight into his mind when he couldn't verbalize it. It helped me be a better caregiver and sister. I recommended your book to every nurse, doctor and therapist we are encountering in his journey of recovery. Thank you for sharing your story!

Excellent listen

Really enjoyed the experience. The information was fabulous and very useful. i would recommend it to everyone.

A journey to the brink with wisdom to share

Great and short true story documenting the frightening and psychedelic experience of a rare stroke, the seemingly supernatural near-death experience she experienced, her explanation of some of it as a brain scientist, and her recovery story and the Buddha-like wisdom she gathered about the nature of the brain and the control that we have over it to experience good feelings instead of bad, and how to do it. What a journey. Highly recommended, and as a meditator, I can say that many of her insights coincide with insights I've found via mindfulness meditation.