Mastermind

How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

By: Maria Konnikova

Narrated by: Karen Saltus

No fictional character is more renowned for his powers of thought and observation than Sherlock Holmes. But is his extraordinary intellect merely a gift of fiction, or can we learn to cultivate these abilities ourselves, to improve our lives at work and at home?

We can, says psychologist and journalist Maria Konnikova, and in Mastermind she shows us how. Beginning with the "brain attic" - Holmes's metaphor for how we store information and organize knowledge - Konnikova unpacks the mental strategies that lead to clearer thinking and deeper insights.

Drawing on 21st-century neuroscience and psychology, Mastermind explores Holmes's unique methods of ever-present mindfulness, astute observation, and logical deduction. In doing so, it shows how each of us, with some self-awareness and a little practice, can employ these same methods to sharpen our perceptions, solve difficult problems, and enhance our creative powers.

For Holmes aficionados and casual listeners alike, Konnikova reveals how the world's most keen-eyed detective can serve as an unparalleled guide to upgrading the mind.

©2013 Maria Konnikova (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"A delightful tour of the science of memory, creativity, and reasoning ... engaging and insightful." (Steven Pinker, Harvard College professor of Psychology, Harvard University, author of How the Mind Works and The Stuff of Thought)

Narrator makes many mistakes - it’s a stretch

Not keen on the narrator as it seems she took one pass and nothing was corrected. Words are mispronounced, etc. story is okay but seems as if the writer stretches everything to fit her narrative.

Just what I was looking for

pulling from Sherlock Holmes Adventures and modern science to create a mental model like Sherlock Holmes' way of thought was genius

it was okay

hard to get through. I'd need to relisten to it to pick up what I missed

Too long

Interesting topic and approach but much too long. Stories could have been better connected with clear statement of what each one is trying to teach us.

Very insightful!

Loved learning about the thought process of one of one Sherlock Holmes. Well written and researched. I leaned allot and am now applying the knowledge to my own life. Thank you for writing this book,