This book’s author was featured on PBS’s television program “The Brain Fitness Program.” This book mixes scientific research with anecdotal stories. This is not really a self-help type book, but it does give the reader a good overview of brain science. It will not give the reader examples of “how to” change, but that change is possible, with examples of such.

This book uses the term “Neuroplasticity” which was a brand new term for me. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons
(nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.
The following is a listing of the chapter titles in the book, which might give you an idea of the types of stories the author uses to convey his theories. The first two stories are inspiring stories of a woman who made incredible recoveries. The breakthroughs made with stroke victims are amazing. Chapter 3 was a very interesting read, and I feel that most “every day people” (non doctors) will get the most out of this chapter because it is about improving memory and thinking clearly and efficiently. It is written in easy to understand language. The next chapters get more scientific, involving research about the brain repairing itself after injury, etc.
A Woman Perpetually Falling…: Rescued by the Man Who Discovered the Plasticity of Our Senses
Building Herself a Better Brain: A Woman Labeled “Retarded” Discovers How to Heal Herself
Redesigning the Brain: A Scientist Changes Brains to Sharpen Perception and Memory, Increase Speed of Thought, and Heal Learning Problems.
Acquiring Tastes and Loves: What Neuroplasticity Teaches Us About Sexual Attraction and Love
Midnight Resurrections: Stroke Victims Learn to Move and Speak Again
Brain Lock Unlocked: Using Plasticity to Stop Worries, Obsessions, Compulsions, and Bad Habits
Pain: The Dark Side of Plasticity
Imagination: How Thinking Makes It So
Turning Our Ghosts into Ancestors: Psychotherapy as a Neuroplastic Therapy
Rejuvenation: The Discovery of the Neuronal Stem Cell and Lessons for Preserving Our Brains
More than the Sum of Her Parts: A Woman Shows Us How Radically Plastic the Brain Can Be
The Culturally Modified Brain
Plasticity and the Idea of Progress
I did find that some of the stories seemed like “extreme” cases where the patients were cured as the rarity. I would not want this book to give false hope to someone living with disability, but maybe to give realistic hope that change is possible.
This is one of those books you will not want to put down, but will probably want to re-read to absorb all the information. If you are interested in howthe human brain functions, or specifically if you know a stroke victim, this
is the book for them.


Article written by Christine Miserandino, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
Author: Norman Doidge
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 1 edition (December 18, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143113100