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

Somewhat interesting

Some chapters I found interesting, but some had way too many little stories that I didn't care for. He claims that would help you remember. It didn't for me.

Great content, terrible narration

I usually find books read by the author to be greatly favorable over those that are not. This might be the one case in which I would have rather heard a professional's voice over the author's. This was difficult to endure, and I only managed to get through it because the content was so very compelling.

What a Fun Way to Learn About The Human Brain

Medina is awesome.

What he manages to do with this work, is to make learning fun. It is full of all sorts of vivid mental pictures, as he explains the amazing organ, that is the brain. There is no off the wall, half-baked conjecture. He only includes information that is proven and tested. If he does not know something, (Or the science community in general does not know)he will simply say "we don't know".

Lots of fun - I have went though this book a few times, and seem with each review, I enjoy it more.

Great listen

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

Yes, I would recommend this book to anyone. It has a host of scientifically based information presented in an easy to understand manner. It comes with many suggestions of how to use this knowledge to help in many aspects of everyday life.

A must listen for all people.. especially teachers

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

Top 10 - and I've been an audible member since 2000.

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

His personal touches and perfect inflections to the words he wrote.

Any additional comments?

My only beef is all ten of the key points are proven facts... by more than one scientific study but he weaves in the evolutionary theory through out the book as if it were proven fact. But I still say this book is a must...

Insightful, funny, practical and charming

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

I have recommended this book to several friends. Specifically I recommended it to my teacher friends who would benefit from the many educational insights. This is not only a book to help you with your personal life, but one that can assist with your work place.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Brain Rules?

The studies and touching stories told brought the book to life. I was particularly moved by the stories Medina told of his mother. These helped make the book inspirational as well as educational.

What about John J. Medina’s performance did you like?

Fun, light and engaging, Medina's passion is evident in his work as well as his presentation.

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

I listened to this book one chapter a day and did it in a little over a week. It gave me time to take note, process and digest on my learning.

Any additional comments?

Anyone with a passing interest in neuroscience can't pass this one up.

Complicated matter explained

Would you listen to Brain Rules again? Why?

I'd listen to it again, only because you have to in order to really get the material. It's not that it's presented poorly, but because it does at times delve into very great detail about how the brain functions. And if you're driving and listening, you sometimes lose some of the important info if your mind wanders even for a second. But the material is solid and eye opening.

Would you be willing to try another book from John J. Medina? Why or why not?

Yes. He does break down how the human brain operates and is able to ask the reader very thought-provoking questions to ponder.

What about John J. Medina’s performance did you like?

I loved his performance. He was very animated in an appropriate way and made learning about the brain a pleasure.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Brain Rules?

I think I'd apply mostly the sections on child development since we have a 2-month old.

Certainly Brain rules

If you could sum up Brain Rules in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Educational & Easy

What was one of the most memorable moments of Brain Rules?

Talking about stress management and the difference between male and female mental abilities.

What about John J. Medina’s performance did you like?

John is enthusiastic and obviously he put much effort to simply the material of the book. Also, the fact that he injected much of his personal life made the book more real and closer to the heart of the listener.

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

It made me re think everything I knew about brain and the way it works. Stress management and how essential it is to control made me rethink my habits and also provided a closer lens about what is happening around me.

Explore the fascinating world of human cognition

Must read/hear to better understand human cognition and behavior and the scientific methods towards approaching them.

Amazing, Interesting, and insightful

Sometimes science based audio books can be tough to get through or dry. Not with Brain Rules! The author did an incredible job narrating book. The book is very well written and takes and incredibly complex topic and puts it into an educational but captivating read.