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The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (James H. Silberman Books) |  | Author: Norman Doidge
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $17.00
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Rating:  198 reviews
Sales Rank: 747
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1 Reprint
Pages: 448
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 0143113100
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.8
EAN: 9780143113102
ASIN: 0143113100
Publication Date: December 18, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
An astonishing new science called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable.Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Norman Doidge, M.D., traveled the country to meet both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives theyve transformedpeople whose mental limitations or brain damage were seen as unalterable. We see a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, blind people who learn to see, learning disorders cured, IQs raised, aging brains rejuvenated, stroke patients learning to speak, children with cerebral palsy learning to move with more grace, depression and anxiety disorders successfully treated, and lifelong character traits changed.Using these marvelous stories to probe mysteries of the body, emotion, love, sex, culture, and education, Dr. Doidge has written an immensely moving, inspiring book that will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.Hardcover, 448 pages. Published March, 2007
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 198
 Compelling Evidence For Neuroplasticity August 31, 2010
Avid Reviewer (San Jose, CA)
Doidge makes a convincing case for neuroplasticity by presenting a wealth of research evidence and case studies that show the brain continually changes itself *throughout a person's life* (hence the title). His book shows that the human brain is more plastic than previously thought and lays to rest the long-held beliefs that (i) each brain function is localized (or mapped) to only one specific part of the brain (localization) and (ii) the neural pathways in the brain become more or less fixed after we reach adulthood.
This book is easy to understand for any layperson and although a rudimentary understanding of how the brain is divided (i.e. left hemisphere, right hemisphere, the 4 lobes: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, etc.) would be helpful, it is certainly not necessary. This book stands out from other books I've read on neuroplasticity because Doidge approaches the topic from a rather unique perspective. Throughout the book, he discusses neuroplasticity in terms of how we each can exploit it to our advantage. He shows, for example, that bad habits that have been deeply entrenched *can* be broken, and that it is possible for romantic love with one's spouse to last a lifetime -- all through the process of the plastic brain re-wiring itself.
The Brain That Changes Itself provides a very in-depth treatment on a very fascinating topic. I had trouble putting the book down once I started reading it. I think you will likewise find it a very engrossing read from start to end.
 Reviving psychoanalysis? August 28, 2010
Roger Sweeny (Norwood, MA United States)
This is a fascinating book, full of interesting stories about how various people have been able to live better lives by changing their brains--even cases that were once considered hopeless, like stroke victims. The focus is "plasticity," the idea that the brain is constantly growing and changing, and that various techniques can make it change and grow in desired ways.
Doidge knows that the brain is not infinitely changeable. Alas, he leaves the reader with little idea when it is and when it isn't. There's a lot of good science here but I felt that the focus was too much on inspirational stories, stories that are not always representative. Too much of it read like a press release for the various techniques and therapies.
The book is also an attempt to revivify psychoanalysis, which is, after all, about brain plasticity. "Analysis" promised to change how one's brain worked, converting unhealthy ways to healthy ones. Wildly popular in the middle of the last century, few psychologists take it very seriously today.
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was brilliant, creative, learned, and hard-working. He was also full of himself--and by the time of his death, psychoanalysis had become a self-contained cult, cut off from the mainstream of science. It was also rather unsuccessful in curing mental problems. In his later years, the Master himself touted it less as a cure and more as a fascinating journey into self-understanding. Thus the never-ending analysis that Woody Allen lovingly satirizes.
In two chapters, Doidge points out ways in which psychoanalytic principles are compatible with modern plasticity research. He is himself a psychoanalytic therapist and in chapter 9 presents a long case history of a man who was cured by his brand of analysis. I was impressed.
Recommended, with caveats, to just about anyone interested in how the brain works.
The next step August 21, 2010
Daniel W. Wanders (Cody, WY USA)
I have been interested in brain research for years and have read numerous books on the subject. This book is the next step in my learning. I am delighted and have recommended this book to others who are excited about it also.
Inspiring August 21, 2010
Jon D. Erickson
The current science of neuroplasticity is described in depth and in quite understandable terms to the layman. The stories add a very readable interest to the science.
 Book Full Of Hot Air August 13, 2010
Jay Balapa (Chicagoland, IL)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is utterly useless and outright dangerous. It provides false sense of security to people who are suffering. Neural plasticity is very limited and can be very difficult to measure its results.
The entire book is debunked by professors Christopher F. Chabris and Daniel Simons from Harvard and University of Illinois in their excellent work -
The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Gorilla-Other-Intuitions-Deceive/dp/0307459659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281707218&sr=1-1
Using the statistical testing framework they debunk all the non sense this permeates.
Phantom limbs described by VS Ramachandran is true but does not work the other way round. If you lose a part of the brain u lose that functionality forever and neural plasticity cannot do anything to replace it.
Finally I will tell you one thing "CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSALITY" so many cases in this are just mere coincidences and without a statistical testing framework they are just useless.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 198
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