• Brain Rules

  • 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School
  • By: John J. Medina
  • Narrated by: John J. Medina
  • Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,981 ratings)

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Brain Rules  By  cover art

Brain Rules

By: John J. Medina
Narrated by: John J. Medina
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Publisher's summary

Most of us have no idea what's really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know - such as the brain's need for physical activity to work at its best. How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget - and so important to repeat - new information? Is it true that men and women have different brains?

In Brain Rules, molecular biologist Dr. John Medina shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule - what scientists know for sure about how our brains work - and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.

Medina's fascinating stories and sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You'll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You'll peer over a surgeon's shoulder as he finds, to his surprise, that we have a "Jennifer Aniston neuron". You'll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can't tie his own shoes.

Visit brainrules.net/dvd to view videos mentioned in the book.

©2008 John J. Medina (P)2008 Pear Press

What listeners say about Brain Rules

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good read for brain-curious listeners

What did you love best about Brain Rules?

It had satisfying detail about how the brain works, the function of the various areas of the brain and how they interact.

What did you like best about this story?

The author was methodical in his research and spelled out the science in terms that the lay reader can understand.

What does John J. Medina bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I've become a committed audio listener, so there are plenty of reasons for me to hear the book instead of reading it. Medina did a fine job in tone, delivery articulation, without distraction.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Understanding of brain function has definitely progressed since I last read about it.

Any additional comments?

This book might not appeal to a person who doesn't have patience to hear a description of the mechanics of the brain, not just how we think but how the brain is structured. If you're interested in these things, however, go for it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this book

Really enjoyed this book, a lot of good knowledge and description on how to teach as well as give presentations that will be better perceived

The example of how to apply could have been deeper. the stories of true life people was GREAT

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brain Rules

This book is very well-written and well-researched. Hat's off to Dr. Medina. Sorry to see some of the poor reviews. Maybe those people should be writing the books instead of reading (or listening to) them. I have listened to this audio book at least 5 times beginning to end, each time writing down new ideas about how to be a better teacher and business operator (which I do both). As for the narration, I welcomed the genuine and enthusiastic voice of the author reading his book versus the droning voice of a professional reader.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Narration is grating but content is great

John Medina should have allowed a professional to narrate his book (the pre-pubescent sounding squeaks of his own adult voice are grating) - the only reason I give it less than 5 stars. There are numerous good neuroscience books out, but Medina's "Rules" are most helpful in understanding neuroscience with practical applications to which anyone can benefit. These are easy-to-understand Rules to learn from and apply, which can improve individual, team and organizational performance whether you're a homemaker or CEO.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good information

The narration on the audio is a bit grating but the information is good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Entertaining Book About a Serious Subject

I'm not sure why I bought this book, but I'm glad I did. It tells about brain function in a very entertaining way. It is full of stories that are fun to repeat to friends. I've actually listened to portions of it several times.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Brain Rules

Wonderful book. Learned a lot. She spoke simply that all would enjoy and not have to be a science major.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good read

This is an interesting book on how the brain works. The author uses real life examples and provides insight on how humans learn. As an educator, I loved the connections and implications to teaching at all grade levels.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Content

Great info. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about the mind and human behavior.
The author should have hired a professional narrator, but it doesn't really detract from the overall package.
He does have some opinions that if plainly presented would qualify as "an agenda" but he does a fine job of separating those opinions from the facts presented.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Food for brain

Compelling book, sometimes hard to follow via audio. I'm thinking about buying hard copy, there are chapters I plan to go through several times.

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