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

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

Intricate and accessible

Such interesting information that was provided in an accessible and useful way. The fact that it was read by the author adds a certain amount of excitement that makes the listening experience even better.

Great presentation of technical information.

This is a great way of understanding how we learn, with practical application. I ended up buying the paper copy so I could reference back to some of his information.

Best brain book I've ever read!

Enlightening and highly entertaining! Very unusual for a book about brain science. Author is witty and clever and makes it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Loved it and have re-listened several times already! Highly recommend.

Be prepared to think! And laugh!

What made the experience of listening to Brain Rules the most enjoyable?

John Medina is hysterical! I am thankful that my steering wheel stopped me from doubling over and losing sight of the interstate! Plus, i am a geek, i love brain stuff, and Medina knows how and what to explore and in a manner that you do not forget what you are listening to.

What did you like best about this story?

It's organization and Medina's ability to interweave personal experience into the narration.

Which character – as performed by John J. Medina – was your favorite?

Medina narrated his own book. This is not fiction. His voice is friendly, expresses humor, yet with an intensity that shows his scientific dedication to finding out how and why the brain works!

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

Yes, i could sitting in my car which is where i listen to all my audible books. very entertaining and exceptionally easy to follow

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended - interesting even at 9:30 going home on the interstate.

Much more than popular science

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

Very highly

What did you like best about this story?

Clear explanations of psychology, of learning and physiology.

Any additional comments?

The supporting website was a great enhancement to the experience.

Fascinating and useful

Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't stop listening. Medina deserves to be a highly praised pop culture scientist in the same vein as Neil Degrasse Tyson and Bill Nye.

good info, goofy presentation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not really. The information is really interesting and well-organized, but the reader's style was really irritating to me, so it was hard to enjoy. I believe the kindle or hard copy of the book would have been better.

What aspect of John J. Medina’s performance would you have changed?

He was reading serious scientific information as if it were almost comedy, way too silly, way too energetic to a point of being distracting from the content, not enhancing it.

Any additional comments?

The book was a little repetitive and I don't care for the reader, but it still relates very interesting and relevant facts about the brain. It wasn't a bad book, just could have been better.

Reform

What did you love best about Brain Rules?

An excellent format for this winning book. I wouldn't want to read when I can have the Dr. Medina read it to me. I felt as though I was sitting in on one of the most interesting lectures of my life

Who knew our brains were so interesting?

I loved this book because it kept me interested from the first sentence. Mr. Medina is a good reader and and I loved thinking about why MY brain works the way it does.

Endearing narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Loved this book. Medina's voice does get squeaky at time, but you can tell it's because of his excitement about the content. I learned a lot from this book and will enjoy listening to it again soon.