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)

One of the best books I ever read

It’s a mind opener, it made a big impact on how I see my self & the world, also such an easy “read”, luved it

Too much crime & punishment

I loved the first few chapters of this book. Very informative and educational about how the brain works - pretty amazing stuff. Lots of really good examples of the many unconscious "zombie" functions we go through all day long (even as I think up what to say in this review!)

The segments about physical attraction and "personal" preferences were intriguing.

Once he started getting into the details (for WAY too long) of why Mel Gibson might have had his anti-semitism meltdown, I started losing interest. Then we delve into the criminal mind and start lecturing about how the justice system needs to work with the specifics of peoples' brain condition... well, my brain started to wander off.

Well read by the author though. He could narrate other books and I'd listen!

Favorite!!

Eagleman is by far, my favorite neuroscientist! Explains things so thoroughly and exquisite, I can’t get enough! I look forward to all of his work.

Another Groundbreaking Book by Eagleman

Cutting edge analysis of the current state of brain science. Coventry and clearly argued.

Intersting

very interesting, Enjoyable, Easy listening.
and clearly this is meant for a lay audience, I dont think anyone with a serious interest in neuroscience field will spend hours to listen to it.

Too short.

The author/narrator makes a strong case for admitting our "self" is a product, more than anything, of complex neurological structure reacting with a fluid environment outside of and prior to our awareness. On the question of free will he basically says "no but It's ok," and explains both. A chapter is devoted to how the legal system could be reformed to reflect current understanding of brain disorders, which of course come in all gradations. Basically you try to prevent future crime, whether it means punishment, rehabilitation, or incarceration. Don't simply punish bad behavior. That's crude and -- given what we now know-- stupid.

Here's a shocking bit: There is a set of genes which, of you have them, make you 10 times more likely to commit murder, 8 times more likely to commit aggregated assault, 13 times for armed robbery, and *44 times* more likely to commit sexuality's assault. 98% of people on death row have this combination of genes. *And fully half the population carries them.*


.. there is a simple test to see if you have it ... look down. It's the Y Chromosome.

Lots of important fun stuff like this is discussed, leaving me with a bit of a new perspective. And nice to have it read by the author himself.

Ok I found the last chapter a bit ... speculative? ... repetitive? ... conversational? ... unnecessary? But it's a top shelf book in my library, I highly recommend it.

Mind-blowing!

This is a mind-blowing book: prescient, brilliant and right on the mark.

Bravo!!

Eagerly awaiting David Eagleman’s future books, research and discoveries...

Interesting Take....

on the unconscious and the brain. But do be aware this is something of a beginner's book on the brain. After having just read Schwartz's The Brain and The Mind and several other deeper books on brain function and being a long time student of neurology, I found this book something of a step down. It is a good book and well written, but it is best taken early in one's reading in this subject. (I almost never comment on readers, but this growing habit of writers reading their own books needs to end. Eastman puts UNdo INflection on NEarly EVery WORd, and his awkward enthusiasm detracts somewhat from a book already not the deepest in content.)

Changed the way I think about how I think...

This was a great listen; interesting and informative with a great pace/flow. I wouldn't call this book heavy, and yet there are ideas and truths contained in this book that have permanently altered the way I think about what makes a person who they are. Also, a lot of interesting concepts are presented here on the nature of reality, perception, free will - definitely gave me a lot to think about on my long commutes.

Please! I am not in middle school.

A very interesting subject and lots of details about the brain and especially as it pertains to eyesight that I found worthwhile. But I found the reader offensive because he was condescending. The author should have left it to a professional reader. But, looking past the audio, I think there was an offensive tone to the book. There were too many sentences that began with "Imagine..." and too many examples used. I found myself saying, "I've got it already!" Also some information was delivered as if the author had discovered it and it may not be exactly common knowledge, but my intelligence was insulted. For example: You don't have the same effects if the front and back sections of the brain are altered, like if the left and right hemispheres are. Duh!