Brain Trust

93 Top Scientists Reveal Lab-Tested Secrets to Surfing, Dating, Dieting, Gambling, Growing Man-Eating Plants, and More!

By: Garth Sundem

Narrated by: Garth Sundem

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Blind them...with science!

How much better would your life be if you had an army of Nobel Laureates, MacArthur "geniuses", and National Medal of Science winners whispering tips in your ear about your body language, or how to resist that impulse purchase you’ll regret tomorrow, or when to sell your car - or even helping you trick your spouse into doing the dishes?

With this mighty little audio tome, you can have the next best thing - because Brain Trust is packed with bite-sized scientific wisdom on our everyday challenges, hand-delivered to you direct from the galaxy’s biggest brains. Based entirely on interviews with an incredible lineup of luminaries from the fields of neuroscience, economics, anthropology, music, mathematics, and more, Brain Trust is full of cutting-edge science that’ll help you see the real world better - and smarter.

Discover:

• what advanced math can teach you about getting all your chores done today
• how creating a "future self" can help you shop smarter at the grocery store
• what prairie voles can teach us about love
• how the science of happiness can help you trick lawyers into doing charity work
• the components of gullibility, and how they can help you scam-proof yourself
• the secrets to building your very own army of cyborg beetles
• how memetic information can help you exploit altruism for good…or evil
• why eating for eight hours can help you lose weight
• the behavioral economics behind selling your junk for big bucks on eBay
• how to get more pleasure for less price

…and much, much more.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Garth Sundem (P)2012 Random House

Sort of scattered

A couple of gems but mostly passing fancies. Unless you have perfect recall you will not find most of the topics useful. However, it is a good exercise in "outside looking at human behavior on the inside."

Good if useless trivia is your thing

The whole book is what do you think about ____________. followed by expert X says that it is exactly what you would expect. This is the first author that did an excellent job reading his own book! I would recommend he spend more time reading books for audio than actually writing them. His ablity to read in an interesting manner, like there was at some point going to be something useful to come is what got me to listen to the entire book.

Brain Trust is Fun Trust!

Would you listen to Brain Trust again? Why?

This fun audio book must be listened to more than once. There's so much to "take-in" that you'll find it odd, but interesting; fun, but serious. The information and delivery is fascinating; and from one story (chapter) to the next, you'll hear things that make you go, "mhmmmm.... I need to see that research in writing!!" --which is cool, because there's a companion pdf that you'll get with the purchased download.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Garth Sundem's performance throughout the book is pleasant. The information alone with keep you captivated because the research goes from bizarre to bizarre, promising to make you think and re-think.

Have you listened to any of Garth Sundem’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I've heard Garth Sundem.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. But, just know, you'll want to listen to it again (chapter by chapter).

Any additional comments?

If you would find a government's ability to turn flying beetles into cyborgs for military operations tantalizing, then this is definitely a mind-tickler you will love.

Fantastic!

Where does Brain Trust rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm new to the audio book world, but this book was great!

What other book might you compare Brain Trust to and why?

See answer above

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many, it's hard to choose. I really liked the section on training your child to have perfect pitch

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The information provided was great, but I didn't cry

Any additional comments?

Great information on so many topics!

Brain Loss!

What did you love best about Brain Trust?

OK, I really did like Brain Trust yet I have a problem with the fast moving recording and each section running together. This is one book that could use a narrator that is not the author. I enjoyed the humor and silliness the author has offered but he is hard to follow. I wish the whole had defined sections that were clearly beginning and then ending.

Interesting factoids and perspective. My suggestion is to get the paper version. I think this is a much more visual book.

Any additional comments?

Whew! Glad it is over. Happy reading.

A lots of neat information

Where does Brain Trust rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 20%

What did you like best about this story?

Good stuff to hack your life. Useful and fun info.

What does Garth Sundem bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Energetic read

Any additional comments?

A good use of a credit

Fun, interestion, not bad

I liked it but then I like this kind of book. It's a little Malcolm Gladwell mixed with the science facts you might see on the evening news. About half of it won't apply to most of us but interesting none the less.

Interesting for egg heads

Very good book; however quite technical and a little too much detail. A good variety subjects but some are not very interesting. Enjoyed listening to it and would recommend to friends with a technical background.

Handy bits of knowledge!

Would you consider the audio edition of Brain Trust to be better than the print version?

Yes, Sundam made the boring otherwise interesting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Brain Trust?

So many facts I'm gonna have to listen again.

Which scene was your favorite?

Him learning to surf.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Would recommend to everyone.

Quite curious and inspiring. In small drops.

If you could sum up Brain Trust in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, inspiring, byte-size.

What three words best describe Garth Sundem’s voice?

Cheerful e confident but most of all: nerdy!!! ;-p

Any additional comments?

Perfect companion for subway rides, lunch breaks. Since it is a compilation of numerous described interviews with notable intellects. Each with really nice life hacks.