Incognito

The Secret Lives of the Brain

By: David Eagleman

Narrated by: David Eagleman

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

If the conscious mind - the part you consider to be you - is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing?

In this sparkling and provocative new book, the renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising mysteries: Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? What do Ulysses and the credit crunch have in common? Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant in 1916? Why are people whose names begin with J more likely to marry other people whose names begin with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? And how is it possible to get angry at yourself - who, exactly, is mad at whom?

Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, Incognito is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2011 David Eagleman (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

"Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness.” (The New Yorker)

“Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you.” (Wired magazine)

“A fun read by a smart person for smart people...it will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings.” (New Scientist)

So interesting!

Normally, I only love classic works of fiction or some times autobiographies. However, this book completely captured my attention and imagination. This book will surely let you know the unadulterated truth: you are not you. You are your brain. And the human brain is THE MOST incredible thing on the frickin' planet; therefore, we're pretty awesome too. LISTEN TO THIS BOOK! Of course, your brain already knows if you are going to listen to this book That's probably the simplest thing this book teaches; you may be undecided, but your brain rarely, rarely is..

Well delivered and organized content on the brain

Love this book. I learned so much about behavior and the makeup onlf the human brain. Thanks David Eagleman.

Exhibit A: Authors shouldn't narrate their books

Great material I wish I would have read rathern than heard. Authors should resist the urge to read their own books as audio versions. At least this author should have. His speaking style is exhausting to listen to.

SO GREAT

This book is smart and really enlightening as far as neuroscience but manages to also be engaging with anecdotal stories and interesting studies. Definitely nerdy but not to a fault :)

Incognito

What did you love best about Incognito?

While I have read some of this information before, his presentation and analysis provided new insight into the conscious and unconscious aspects of what we call our mind.

What does David Eagleman bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

While some authors add little to their books with their voices, Eagleman's enthusiasm for his subject carries through with his voice and rhythm. It was a joy to listen to.

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

The subject is too thought provoking to give it justice in a single sitting. I listened to it during my commutes to work and then could cogitate on it through the day. Very thought provoking. Especially the intriguing possibility that we could possibly reprogram our personalities later in life by reteaching our unconscious selves whom we really want to be.

Great read by the author

Would you listen to Incognito again? Why?

The author's narration didn't sound like an actor, so it was a little less graceful, but it did sound like a brilliant and interesting man who knows his stuff and is really excited about the research. I felt like drives in my car were one-on-one time with a favorite professor. Really great material. I'll By the book.

Jefery R.Campbell, PhD

What did you like best about this story?

To be able identify some of various we use our mind

Which scene was your favorite?

The study that the pretty girls facing the men.
the determining factor was nothing more than whether the subjects eyes were dialated. Many great cases, also.

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

It really caused me to want to take my and learn to develop better

Interesting, but...

I found Dr. Eagleman's presentation of brain functions to be interesting and informative, however, I was not interested in what, I assume is a particular passion of his regarding the criminal justice and penal systems.

Further, I might eventually be more interested in his future presentations once he has matured a bit more and incorporated a little less passion and 'certainty' about what he 'knows'; and a little more humility about what he thinks he understands and the implications for related fields about which I get the impression he has only a superficial knowledge and experience.

Know your brain.

An overview of the current knowledge in neuroscience, in a refreshing simple and direct language.

Excellent

Fascinating theories and a further look into the inner workings of ourselves. Great summary at the end.

Una mirada profunda al cerebro y sus dinámicas

Una buena presentación de la complejidad qee se esconde tras nuestro cerebro y nuestra conciencia e inconsciencia.
Muy interesante para entender nuestra naturaleza