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  • The Brain that Changes Itself

  • By: Norman Doidge
  • Narrated by: Jim Bond
  • Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (338 ratings)
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The Brain that Changes Itself

By: Norman Doidge
Narrated by: Jim Bond
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Summary

An astonishing new scientific discovery called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the adult human brain is fixed and unchanging. It is, instead, able to change its own structure and function, even into old age.

In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they’ve transformed.

©2007 Norman Doidge (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

“A remarkable and hopeful portrait of the endless adaptability of the human brain.” (Oliver Sacks)
“Mind-bending, miracle-making, reality-busting stuff with implications for all human beings.” ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Brain that Changes Itself

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting topic, strange focus

What did you like best about The Brain that Changes Itself? What did you like least?

I liked that the book did give examples of real world evidence of plasticity and of the changing of the scientific mindset

Has The Brain that Changes Itself put you off other books in this genre?

No, although I will likely not put myself through listening to the whole thing if I'm not enjoying it again

What about Jim Bond’s performance did you like?

Well read, nice voice and good pace

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

This book focuses so, so much on the "problem". You hear about what was wrong with someone in graphic, lengthy detail. Some of it is really not pleasant and, to my mind, not relevant. There is a fair amount of academic excess - 10 pages to say what could be said in 1 page, but that wouldn't be such a problem if the author just got on with tellings us about the topic (brains adapting) and less about people putting a nail through their genitals... In print, you could easily skip past that stuff, much less able to do that if you're listening to it while driving.

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41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Incredible, but not credible

I really wanted to like this book, and at first I did. Quite soon however, I started questioning it at a very fundamental level, to the point where I eventually felt that I couldn't really trust the conclusions. I felt it was sold to me as a means for a layman to understand a complicated area of science, but when looking closer I felt it really lacked a proper scientific approach. Every conclusion in the book was presented using such supreme certainty, in a field where virtually everything is up for debate. I just couldn't believe that the author could know all of that without even a shadow of a doubt.

Some serious warning lights finally started flashing when the author started bringing up Freud left right and center. I mean, perhaps the guy had some good points. But the author discussed Freud as if virtually everything he stood for had been vindicated by the theory of plasticity. Furthermore, like Freud, he kept using his narrow studies and anecdotes to justify a series of extremely moralising conclusions on society.

I didn't hate this book and it certainly inspired me to read more on the subject. However, I cannot recommend it.

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A must listen

I do feel that this book would possibly be a better read than listen as it's something I would like to dip in and out of, choosing the most interesting parts. However as I am currently unable to read I am very grateful that it is available on audio. For anyone like myself, who has a chronic pain condition and a belief in neural plasticity- ie the brain's ability to change- this is a must listen. It is an inspiring listen and fills me with real hope and positivity. I especially liked hearing the stories of those whose lives have been transformed by neural plasticity and wish there were more of these.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Informative, interesting and a pleasure to listen

This audio book is great if you struggle to read or don't have the time to read. It's informative, and interesting right until the end.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible learning experience

Strongly recommend this to anyone. It is a real eye opener on the brain. The concept of the "plastic paradox" is important for all of us to understand

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

very informative

A well written book and a fascinating subject. Highly recommended reading or a good audio book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

Extremely interesting, fascinating read. So much traditional medical knowledge is a load of rubbish! All doctors should read this book!

However, I would get a paper version. The narrator has such a monotonous droning way of speaking, and his intonation is so strange sometimes the meaning of the sentence is lost by emphasising the wrong word.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Read by a robot?

I was keen to read this book and fascinated by the subject matter. However, my enjoyment was completely ruined by the reader. His robotic like voice did not flow, places inflections where they should not be and lacked rise and fall where they should be.... completely odd to listen to and very distracting. Disappointing.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent revelations

Brilliant and massively informative I would recommend it to any one interested in phsychology or the mind

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Eye opening book

Worth listening to. Many scientific experiments and real life recoveries from serious brain conditions are highlighted in this book. Enjoy!

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1 person found this helpful