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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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Summary

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.
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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

What listeners say about Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

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Short, sweet and informative

Lisa's descriptions are concise and vivid creating wonderful imagery for complex mechanisms ❤️I'm probably going to be listening again sometime soon 😅 Loved it!

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A very interesting book.

There were really interesting ideas and concepts in this book, fo that I see things (myself and the world) differently after reading it.

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Interesting

An interesting book. A small introduction to the brain evolution and how we can compare the human brain with other brains.

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The most insightful book about the brain

This is the clearest and most useful book about brains I’ve read in years! Lisa Feldman Barrett is incredible as always.

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New ways of thinking

Loved this book. Whilst a bit slow in places (more likely me just keen to find out more), the book is evidence-based with excellent examples to explain further and illustrate the points being made. I have loads of books on similar topics of the brain and neuroscience which I am finding tend to get a bit repetitive. However this one contains loads of new insights (or new ways of explaining ideas) that made me think differently. It feels short (probably because I listened over a few days) but is concentrated - there is a lot packed in to each chapter. I will definitely be listening again!

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Superb

The current state of cognitive neuroscience, summed up in highly relatable metaphors and well-articulated explanations by one of our time's most brilliant and humane scientists. Recommended for anyone interested in the brain and mind.

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Brilliant

Really good insight into human reality
Makes you think how real is the world we see

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But I thought that…

This is a really useful and thought provoking book that dispels many of the old ideas about how our brains work and should be read by every trainer and consultant out there that relies anything to do with neurology.

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interesting insights

A light, accessible style. Good narrative. Evidence based. Interesting insights which were new to me. I'd recommend it.

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Fascinating!

This short, engaging and informative book has really got me thinking - in the best possible way. I highly recommend it to anyone curious about how the biology of the brain affects our reality day to day.

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