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  • The Brain that Changes Itself

  • By: Norman Doidge
  • Narrated by: Jim Bond
  • Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (360 ratings)

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The Brain that Changes Itself

By: Norman Doidge
Narrated by: Jim Bond
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Publisher's 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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Fascinating - if a little morally questionable

This is a great read. I was a little surprised and disappointed that a man as intelligent as Doidge seems totally nonplussed about the fairly egregious ethical violations described in this book in relation to animal welfare of test subjects. Stapling kittens eyes shut and stitching body parts of monkeys together is obviously shaky moral ground to say the least and at least some measure of representation for PETA's argument (as awful as they are) in a non sarcastic or dismissive manner was lacking in my opinion. This is a fascinating read though and a must for understanding our most powerful organ.

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10 people found this helpful

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enlightening!

Everyone whether they're interested in Neuroplasticity for themselves or someone else, or not, needs to read this book. People need to start understanding the power of their brain and start looking for programs which will help them get their lives back. Complacency is not an excuse, when access to this kind of educational material is so easily available. MCS, CFSME, Fibro, all these things are a Limbic System injury, which is making the body sick, this injury/illness can be fixed.

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5 people found this helpful

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An important book but it didn’t give any how-to’s

The book could have been so much better. I believe it’s concepts are important but it was more about the history and development of brain plasticity than the background followed by exercises, which is what I was hoping for.
Personally I found the reader genuine but dull.
I can recommend the subject matter but not this book by an important contributor to the science.

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3 people found this helpful

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Be careful what you feed your mind

The nature of the mind is both ridged and perfect able. The mind adaptive to input and what you feed it will take physical form in the hardwiring of your brain.

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  • M
  • 30-10-2023

Narration is painful

I don't think I've ever heard a real person who sounds so close to an AI voice before. It makes the book very hard to listen to.

Some interesting parts but be prepared for some cheerfully presented gruesome animal testing stories.

I suspect this book would be better in written form - you could more easily skip the parts you weren't interested in and wouldn't have to listen to that awful droning, grating voice.

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inspirational

inspiration
l. gives hope to those like me with acquired brain injury. great telling of this title

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The explanation of the brain and behaviours in layman’s terms

Interesting to know that there is strong competition for vacated neuron space
And that the left side of the brain can take over functions of the right and vice versa.

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WOW

I love every bit of this book. This must be among my top 10 books of all time.
Well researched.
Thank you, Dr Doidge, for this masterpiece.

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Great examples, but needed more

Unfortunately this book didn't give much insight into how to change a brain, but it gave very interesting examples of what can be done.

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Brilliant and eye opening

Too many people think the human brain is fixed, this book clearly shows, through remarkable examples that the brain can heal and grow.

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