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)

Fascinating

This audio book was terrific so interesting and really teaches you a lot about your own mind.

Great book that needs a different narrator.

Generally, I enjoy it when authors read their own books, but this is the exception. He just spoke too slowly. I had to put the speed to x2.5 to get it to a speed that I found tolerable. It could just be me.

The overall subject is very interesting. I especially liked the chapter on vision. If you find cognitive science interesting and do not have a strong background in it, you'll find this a very good read. If you already know quite a bit about cognitive science, I don't know how much of this will be new to you. I have a pretty rudimentary knowledge of it, and the majority of the information was new to me or explained in a way I had never thought about it.

Great Read

What did you love best about Incognito?

It was so full of information and presented in such an interesting way. You will learn so much about brain function...

What did you like best about this story?

Great

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

Great

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

Great

Any additional comments?

Great

Amazing book!

So easy to hear this enthusiastic voice. Also, I loved learning about how the brain functions.
I could easily understand because nontechnical language was not used for the most part and technical terms were clearly explained when author needed to name such terms.
This is the third book he wrote that I have read. Great mind, great performer!

Very Interesting

Less scientific than most books on the same subject. Makes some great points. In particular, raises the point that pursuit of understanding the brain and mind through materialism and reductionism may be limited. I recommend this book.

Very enlightening book

Would you listen to Incognito again? Why?

Yes. I learned so much from reading this book that I was constantly telling my family and friends interesting facts I learned about the brain. This is not a

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are no

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

No.

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

It was fascinating.

Any additional comments?

Anyone can relate to this material. I was particularly astounded at how much of what we

Unbelievable content with impeccable delivery

This was a great book with super interesting concepts. The authors delivery both in text and speech was easy to understand fun! Definitely recommend the book. 10/10!

Humbling

This is for anyone whose brain network is geared toward curiosity. If it's not maybe you should start that network now. Loved!

Very interesting

This book has re-provoked a lot of questions that I had during my teenage/growing up period.
I certainly appreciated the examples provided in this book as a way of explaining points thoroughly, and I certainly recommend it.

Great book

This book over delivered on all my expectations and I enjoyed it far more than expected