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Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

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Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

By: Lisa Feldman Barrett
Narrated by: Lisa Feldman Barrett
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About this listen

From the author of How Emotions Are Made, a myth-busting primer on the brain in the tradition of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.

Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett demystify that big gray blob between your ears. In seven short essays (plus a bite-sized story about how brains evolved), this slim, entertaining, and accessible collection reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research. You'll learn where brains came from, how they're structured (and why it matters), and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Along the way, you'll also learn to dismiss popular myths such as the idea of a "lizard brain" and the alleged battle between thoughts and emotions, or even between nature and nurture, to determine your behavior.

Sure to intrigue casual listeners and scientific veterans alike, Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain is full of surprises, humor, and important implications for human nature - a gift of a book that you will want to savor again and again.

©2020 Lisa Feldman Barrett (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Biological Sciences Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Human Brain Witty Cognitive Science

Critic Reviews

"Acclaimed neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett narrates her series of essays in this brief but sprightly introduction to the brain. In her erudite, enthusiastic voice…Barrett's goal is to give compelling and comprehensible information to a general audience. In this production she has definitely succeeded." - AudioFile Magazine, An Earphones Award Winner

“An excellent education in brain science…[Feldman Barrett] deftly employs metaphor and anecdote to deliver an insightful overview of her favorite subject…so short and sweet that most readers will continue to the 35-page appendix, in which the author delves more deeply, but with no less clarity, into topics ranging from teleology to the Myers-Briggs personality test to ‘Plato’s writings about the human psyche.’ Outstanding popular science.” - Kirkus, STARRED

"What about that 'three-pound blob between your ears'? In seven essays about the brain and a half-size one about its evolution…Barrett has crafted a well-written tribute to this wow-inducing organ." - Booklist

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This was super interesting and thought provoking; I’ll be relistening to keep learning and broadening my understanding.

Great essays and explanations

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Author imprinted her understanding of the Brain straight to the reader's brain with a genius execution of flow.

Transformed a huge deal of complexity so simply.

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I enjoyed being challenged to rethink the “models”. The 5Cs made so much sense. As a teacher the idea of body balance resonates.

Insight and new learning

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Anyone can make complex information difficult to understand. Lisa Feldman Barrett has a briiliant way of making the complexity of neuroscience understandable and accessible. She has turned this knowledge into wisdom in 7 1/2 lessons.

Accessible wisdom

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A good read very well written and will flip your ideas of what your brain does

the new concept of the brains role

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Brilliant book. It’s rare to find a book that makes you challenge your most dearly held beliefs. The God delusion was one, Sam Harris and his discussion about free will is another, and this book for its dismantling of my fairytale. I love it when an author talks to their own book, and Lisa handles it with aplomb.

Brilliant. I put it On the shelf with God delusion

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Lisa has done an amazing job taking such a complex topic and breaking this down into an easy to understand and apply narrative. The intersection of deep science and with the social context is well crafted and this makes the science outcomes relevant and actionable in our lives. I have found myself unconsciously referencing the lessons from this book to other topics and texts. I have recommended the book to my family and friends. Great work Lisa!

Exceptional with actionable insights

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Great length and information. Lisa presents information in a succinct manner with relevant examples and metaphors that were helpful to understand the concepts that really stretch thinking.

Thought provoking

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