The Brain That Changes Itself: Personal Triumphs from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Very informative. A must for scientific minds. Much like a text book on the brain in its scientific feel. Focus on brain damage and defects repair. Would have been more interesting if there were more examples of how normal brain people can use this research to strengthen their brains.

It is great to know that those with brain injuries, abnormal brain development and boomers move into the later stages of life can take control of their mental health. It is a fascinating subject. We learn that many ideas held about the brain are being proved false. Read, learn and be empowered. Oh yeah, there is also a sales pitch in there,,,,

As someone who had 4 massive strokes at age 25 I had to fight to get back all that I have. I was told just 7 years ago that after 3 months my recovery was done. That was it. When you're in that situation you can either accept it or not, I chose not to accept it. Neurologists are all amazed as to what I got back. So I love this book, it might not matter to you in your life but if you know someone's who has had a severe brain injury, all you can tell them is to keep trying. Don't let the doctors tell you to give up, don't accept it. Keep trying! Let's see how many doctors we can confuse, lol. There's one thing that everyone can accept about the brain and that is we know nothing about it. So good job Dr. Doidge.

Unabridged non-fictions can sometimes bog down in details...this one does. The topic and coverage is fascinating and well read. Some of the author's research would have been better summarized. Recommend the written work for professionals in the field. An abridged version would be better for the lay people.

This book is a comprehensive survey of evidence in the realm of neuro-plasticity... the ability of the brain to change. I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be profoundly mind-opening. However, the chapter on psychoanalysis was a little sketchy. Other than that, a great book that lights the way for neuroscience for the next decades.

The basic thesis of the book is that the brain can be radically rewired through experience. That this can happen until shortly before the point of death and that this is the norm has only very recently been accepted as a mainstream view in science. This book is probably the first good survey of this revolutionary new understanding.

The book is entertaining more than scientifically rigorous. That doesn't mean that the basic thesis of the book is scientifically suspect (it is not), just that the book doesn't attempt scrupulous rigor.

It contains sections on the formation of sexual fetishes that make for slightly creepy reading and sections on psychodynamic that are probably pretty speculative. But it also contains truly inspirationally stories of recover from stroke and other misfortunes.

This is an important book for anyone close to or
responsible for another person who has suffered
brain injury. I am such a person. The old
beliefs about the brain being the only major organ
in the body incapable of self repair is still held
by too many so called professionals who have medical or rehab contact with these people, not to mention everyone else. I have believed differently for some time, now, but this
is the first place I have seen the idea of
"neuroplasticity" laid out in an understandable
manner for everyone to see.
Some parts of the book, itself, were better than others and it sort of fizzled out, at the end.
The narration was fine. Not too long and pretty
clear. A good starting point for one's research.
If you are or know someone with brain injury, no matter
what caused it, and you are not familiar with
the ideas and facts related to the neuroplastic
nature of the human brain, this is a must read.

I'm very interested in the subject matter, but I was afraid this would be too dumbed-down and oversimplified. I was skeptical that it would enhance my knowledge of the brain.

I was pleasantly surprised by the detailed characterization of mental plasticity. This is definitely one of my favorite audiobooks.

I also think this goes well together with Jeff Hawkins' "On Intelligence" audiobook.

I enjoyed this book because it was not hard to follow. The case studies were quite interesting and reviling on how the brain can heal itself through the will of the individual of said brain. To me it shows what faith, will power, and action can accomplish. There is uncomfortable subjects and information in the book but i felt it showed the positives of brain power more then the negatives. Cool Book.

Amazing, incredible, inspiring! The best book on the workings of the mind! Dr. Doidge, author, is your personal private detective, hunting down the modern day heroes of the neurological profession, to unveil systematically the research that can relieve suffering for everyone from birth to death, disabled to normal to genius to diseased. Along the way he refers to patients who have benefitted from research relevant to each chapters topic. Highly enjoyable!