NeuroLogic

The Brain's Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior

By: Eliezer Sternberg

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A groundbreaking investigation of the brain’s hidden logic behind our strangest behaviors, and of how conscious and unconscious systems interact in order to create our experience and preserve our sense of self.

From bizarre dreams and hallucinations to schizophrenia and multiple personalities, the human brain is responsible for a diverse spectrum of strange thoughts and behaviors. When observed from the outside, these phenomena are often written off as being just “crazy,” but what if they were actually planned and logical?

NeuroLogic explores the brain’s internal system of reasoning, from its unconscious depths to conscious decision making, and illuminates how it explains our most outlandish as well as our most stereotyped behaviors. From sleepwalking murderers, contagious yawning, and the brains of sports fans to false memories, subliminal messages, and the secret of ticklishness, Dr. Eliezer Sternberg shows that there are patterns to the way the brain interprets the world—patterns that fit the brain’s unique logic. Unraveling these patterns and the various ways they can be disturbed will not only alter our view of mental illness and supernatural experience, but will also shed light on the hidden parts of ourselves.

(With black-and-white illustrations throughout.)

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

©2016 Eliezer Sternberg (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Sternberg is not content to remain within the cozy confines of his medical specialty. That’s revealing, not just of his prodigious intellect but also because, as he refuses to be just another neurologist, the subject of his inquiry also refuses to be just another organ....[an] audacious, wise and compelling book.” —Marianne Szegedy-Maszak, The Washington Post

“A research-rich study of the neurological circuitry behind the narratives we use to make sense of things. Sternberg cracks open the brain’s “black box” to examine its parallel conscious and unconscious systems, and explores states from dreaming and acts on ‘autopilot’ to memory, hallucinations and trauma.” —Nature

“An enchanting journey . . . the author writes with brio and dash . . . of the brain’s ability to draw the story of our life, from experience and from thin air.” —Kirkus Reviews

amazing

intensely interesting while also informative - I feel I learned a lot while having fun!

Interesting and easy to digest.

Fun and interesting stories. Written by an expert for a layman. All of my personalities loved it. Except for Mikey who hates everything.

Excellent book, great narration, very insightful!

I think this book was wonderful. I think this is a book that everyone should read because people don't know enough about how our brain functions. If you don't know how something works you will not be able to use it effectively. Our brain is truly amazing and this book does a great job showing us just how amazing it is. The best part for me was the fact that the author illustrates all the concepts/theories using research. Fantastic!

This book is good

It's interesting, it speaks of different neurologic disorders. The only thing I didn't like is that, it gave in titles at the beginning of the chapter; but did not really elaborate the full meaning.

How brains go mad.

Very nice compilation of neurological disorders with enough examples to understand the strange symptoms and enough science to reveal the underlying processes. See how the brain works by studying cases where parts don't. Well organized, well written, well read.

Super

Je suis très critique et j'ai. Ien aime ce livre. C'est une bonne facon de faire.

great story, well sourced, based on assumptions.

the writer does a great job illuminating many neurological disorders by focusing on the specific studies they're tired to. unfortunately, he assumes much in his analysis of the volition of sub/unconscious processes. many explanations of nearly all of the neurological disorders here are made under the guise of pseudo-Freudianism. The author ascribes cognitions to the unconscious that he can't back up with evidence.

His analysis of dissociative identity disorder is well written and well understood, but he assigns its cause to the unconscious trying to protect the brain by hypnotizing itself. instead of staying in a functional neuropsychological paradigm which stresses the inferences of neuronal activity and psychological experience purely from the anatomy's story he takes liberties in assigning consciousness to this physical phenomena.

This can serve to muddy the waters of the claims and clear science of the text. Thankfully these assumptions stand as great metaphors and teachable concepts, but they may not reflect reality.

Smooth Ride

Having an interest in neuroscience may leave some readers with a feeling of redundancy on certain topics, though the casual reader may leave somewhat mired in technical terminology and neuroanatomical references without being able to view the pdf at the time of listening to certain stories/studies/etc.
It’s well balanced in its delivery and story. The book and narrator do well to make this an enjoyable listen.

informative

loved it. this book made me think about reasons for some of the unconscious thoughts I encounter everyday.i recommend this book to read .

A fascinating trip down the rabbit hole

Dr. Steinberg deftly explains the inner workings of the brain. Looking at current and historical findings to explain the strange intertwined connections between the conscious and unconscious portions of the brain. What is self awareness and how does the brain act to preserve itself or our sense of self in traumatic situations. Most fascinating is how we make sense of the world around us. It is not nearly as simple as you think.