Play

How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul

By: Stuart Brown, Christopher Vaughan MD

Narrated by: Michael Hinton

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From a leading expert, a groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our happiness and intelligence throughout our lives.

We've all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming, and fun. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play. Particularly in tough times, we need to play more than ever, as it's the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solutions, and remain optimistic.

A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.

©2009 Stuart Brown (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Sprinkled with anecdotes demonstrating the play habits of subjects as diverse as polar bears and corporate CEOs, Brown and co-writer Vaughan present a compelling case for promoting play at every age." ( Publishers Weekly)

play for life!

terrific material encouraging and accessible. play through life or wither and fade. a book which inspires action and health.

🎶Remember When🎶

Listening to this was an amazingly eye opening experience for me! Time to go “Play” again ……………!
Yes, I loved it!!!

Essential information for life

I knew play was important and this book only intensifies the way I feel about it.

If you already understand that Play is important, then you can skip this

If you already understand that Play is important, then you can skip this.

If you want to learn about how to play, now, this book is not worthwhile, though the narrator's voice does have a warm sound to it.

Tangent of sorts: Is it not a disgrace that this title, just as many others "worth one credit (where are we, District 9?!)" has no text aside from "Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and et al.

very informative

great read, kept me engaged the entire time. I will be evaluating my past and current play!

Amazing

Absolutely everyone needs to listen to this! It’s so important for everyone! I can’t recommend it enough!

Great information but little repetitive and slow

I love the way all the research and examples of both animal and human play are tied together but there were aspects that were repetitive. I would have liked to see more information on the different play styles and how to be more aware of your play style as an adult and recognizing it in children.

Amazing book

this book is based on how everybody should play and this book has taught me so much I loved it

play play play

I loved this book. remembering to play as an adult is so important. play to be happy, play to learn, play to be creative, and play to express self joy.

This Book is Life Altering

I had forgotten how to play. i knew something was missing from my life, but couldn't figure it out. Now i get it, i played with my first 2 children, but after death in my family, injuries, surgeries, and divorce... I was depressed and lonely.
On a whim I got this book... and I can now see my deficite... I'm going to have some fun... and it just might save my life!