Think Smart

A Neuroscientist's Prescription for Improving Your Brain's Performance

By: Richard Restak

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

In Think Smart, the renowned neuropsychiatrist and best-selling author Richard Restak details how each of us can improve and tone our body's most powerful organ: the brain.

As an expert on the brain, Restak knows that in the last five years there have been exciting new scientific discoveries about the brain and its performance. So he has asked his colleagues---among them the world's leading brain scientists and researchers---one important question: What can I do to help my brain work more efficiently?

Their surprising and remarkably feasible answers are at the heart of Think Smart. Dr. Restak combines advice culled from cutting-edge research with brain-tuning exercises to show how individuals of any age can make their brains work more effectively.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2009 Richard M. Restak (P)2009 Tantor

To the point

One of the better books I've encountered lately. Up-to-date and thorough, with just the right balance of take-aways plus detail. Good narration.

Think Smart

Well written, easy to follow, and contains some of the most important personal mental health information in the world.

A good starting point

If this is the first book you read about improving brain health, you will find it informative and enjoyable.

But first the bad :
The author does not exercise enough skepticism of neuroscience and psychology research. There are parts where I know for certain that the author is wrong or has misinterpreted some studies. The author also does not back away from making statements that are clearly baseless,even based on the material he cites.

As for the good, I think the fundamental ideas are sound and the exposition is clear. The work is cited with clear sources and the material is overall well chosen and organized.

Towards the later chapters it becomes clear that the author meant this book to be read by someone who is past their prime and going into old age and wants to remain brain healthy. It is also catered to the average population. A lot of it is not directed at those of us who think for a living and want to eke the most out of our brains and or optimize their nutrition.

Summary of book : heart health = brain health. Sleep good. exercise good. Mental exercise not that transferable across tasks, but could prevent dementia.

Poorly narrated

The narration in this book sounds like a computer reading. It is monotone and very hardly entertaining. I wish I could get my credit back and buy the actual book to read myself.