Incognito

The Secret Lives of the Brain

By: David Eagleman

Narrated by: David Eagleman

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

If the conscious mind - the part you consider to be you - is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing?

In this sparkling and provocative new book, the renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising mysteries: Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? What do Ulysses and the credit crunch have in common? Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant in 1916? Why are people whose names begin with J more likely to marry other people whose names begin with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? And how is it possible to get angry at yourself - who, exactly, is mad at whom?

Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, Incognito is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.

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

©2011 David Eagleman (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

"Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness.” (The New Yorker)

“Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you.” (Wired magazine)

“A fun read by a smart person for smart people...it will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings.” (New Scientist)

A fascinating look at the "real you"

This fascinating and well-read book reveals that your subconscious mind is really a computing powerhouse capable of solving incredibly complex problems in nanoseconds.

Eagleman's narration is excellent. I just read a review that said the author "exclaimed" his views instead of reading them from the page. Eagleman certainly reads with enthusiasm but I never had to adjust the volume because of it. I certainly prefer an enthusiastic reading to one that puts the listener to sleep.

Astounding

Weaves together neuroscience, genetics, and a healthy dose of anthropology to ask tough questions about human behavior and propose new ways of thinking about existence itself. You will think differently about our justice system, your own decision-making, and what constitutes humanity's greatest work.

Awesome for nerds

As a graphic designer I'm not, by any means, an expert in the field of neuroscience. But I still found this book enjoyable.

Surprised me & I loved it

I am not certain what exactly I was expecting from this book. The time between purchase and actually listening was longer than I intended.

I loved this book , Dr. Eagleman explains many nuanced ideas with easy to understand stories or analogies. This is one I will definitely revisit.

Especially liked the summary at the end tying, what I interpreted to be the ideas biocentrism with our current understanding of how the brain works.

If you like ‘brain stuff’ this is the book for you.

Great reading

Fascinating book. I like it that it was read by the author himself. One can feel his passion towards the subject !

Enjoyed it, but didn't respect it

I am torn by this book. On one hand it was a fun read. But it lacks some of the mental challenge that I enjoy in a book of popular science. I enjoy a little more depth to the explanations of research. Did he do any of the research or was he borrowing and cribbing from real researchers? I lean toward the second. If you have a lay person's interest in neurology and the workings of the mind, much of the first 4-5 chapters is nothing you haven't read before. Interesting condition upon interesting condition is quickly discussed for the "oooh" and "aaaah" factor. Chapter six has a mad, voice-crying-out-in-the-desert quality. It reads something like, "Why doesn't anyone listen to me? I have the answers that will solve the world's problems with crime and criminals!" Frankly, it can get more than a little redundant and tedious in that section. Still, I can't completely trash the book. Though it wasn't as scientific as I prefer, it was a fun quick read about the brain, its functions and malfunctions. Perhaps I've read too much popular neurology for this to be fresh for me. If you haven't read that much you might enjoy it greatly. It could spur greater interest in the field.

Your Brain

Excellent exploration of how your brain works and what it means to your identity and behavior.

Interesting and Very Well Read!

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

One of the best audiobooks I've heard so far!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Incognito?

I can't believe that this author is both smart enough to understand all this stuff AND well-spoken enough to give an excellent performance in his narration.

Which scene was your favorite?

The content is super interesting and thought-provoking.

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

There were so many points he made that had never crossed my mind before, but he articulated them in a very easy-to-understand manner.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book to anyone who loves the brain and/or is fascinated by human thought!

Excellent Book!

The book made me want to know even more! very well written & read! can't wait to learn more!

A younger more hip Dr. Oliver Sacks

This is my first experience with Dr. Eagleman the author. His DVD series The Brain has been an adjunct to my lectures since it came out. Being a good little groupie I found all of his earlier pieces as well as he has a real knack for explaining/showing the unexplainable/unknowable- and doing it with enough of the wonder that marks the true scientist that I’ve been able to use his clips to elucidate the educated and lure in the “I hate school” students with equal efficacy.

I only make the comparison to Dr. Sacks because he was the first Neuropsychologist who reached out to the unwashed masses without making said masses feel filthy.

I lived for Dr. Sacks’ books, have memorized Dr. Eagleman’s DVD’s- now I shall look forward to reading more of his works.

As a paramedic, a person suffering from a catastrophic head injury and a teacher of science, he is one of those people I’d love to meet in person!

I cannot recommend this book enough, and if the good doctor ever wants to chat please find me. I promise not to be extra stalkerish.