Into the Gray Zone

A Neuroscientist Explores the Border Between Life and Death

By: Adrian Owen

Narrated by: Steve West

In this “riveting read, meshing memoir with scientific explication” (Nature), a world-renowned neuroscientist reveals how he learned to communicate with patients in vegetative or “gray zone” states and, more importantly, he explains what those interactions tell us about the working of our own brains.

“Vivid, emotional, and thought-provoking” (Publishers Weekly), Into the Gray Zone takes readers to the edge of a dazzling, humbling frontier in our understanding of the brain: the so-called “gray zone” between full consciousness and brain death. People in this middle place have sustained traumatic brain injuries or are the victims of stroke or degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Many are oblivious to the outside world, and their doctors believe they are incapable of thought. But a sizeable number—as many as twenty percent—are experiencing something different: intact minds adrift deep within damaged brains and bodies. An expert in the field, Adrian Owen led a team that, in 2006, discovered this lost population and made medical history. Scientists, physicians, and philosophers have only just begun to grapple with the implications.

Following Owen’s journey of exciting medical discovery, Into the Gray Zone asks some tough and terrifying questions, such as: What is life like for these patients? What can their families and friends do to help them? What are the ethical implications for religious organizations, politicians, the Right to Die movement, and even insurers? And perhaps most intriguing of all: in defining what a life worth living is, are we too concerned with the physical and not giving enough emphasis to the power of thought? What, truly, defines a satisfying life?

“Strangely uplifting…the testimonies of people who have returned from the gray zone evoke the mysteries of consciousness and identity with tremendous power” (The New Yorker). This book is about the difference between a brain and a mind, a body and a person. Into the Gray Zone is “a fascinating memoir…reads like a thriller” (Mail on Sunday).

Superb Listening, and more importantly, super important information!

Recommend this to anyone with even an ounce of interest in the brain and consciousness. Never bogged down, always clear and, at times, heart wrenching. This book will make you rethink how you view non responsive patients and make you reevaluate what you want for yourself, should the worst ever happen,

Beautiful!

Truly a beautiful story that brings a unique aspect of neuroscience to the table. Also, Steve West’s narration was incredible as well as it brings this story to life!

Thought provoking

loved this book, amazing and interesting documentary into something we don't often contemplate unless we ourselves are affected by this trauma. you will have a different outlook on the value of life when you finish this book. I guarantee it

Fantastic!

If you have someone that has been affected by some sort of neurological issue this is the book to listen to. Excellent listening and content!

Yes and no?

I loved the storyline, the narrative aspect, and the discoveries they made over time. Knowing someone who had a NDE I look at the spiritual aspect as well. I think to be fair it would have been better to talk about where some of the patients “went”. Those that recovered had stories, memories of their grey zone time. It would have been great to hear those as well.