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  • The Master and His Emissary

  • The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
  • Written by: Iain McGilchrist
  • Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman
  • Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (61 ratings)

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The Master and His Emissary

Written by: Iain McGilchrist
Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman
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Publisher's Summary

This pioneering account sets out to understand the structure of the human brain - the place where mind meets matter. Until recently, the left hemisphere of our brain has been seen as the "rational" side, the superior partner to the right. But is this distinction true?  

Drawing on a vast body of experimental research, Iain McGilchrist argues while our left brain makes for a wonderful servant, it is a very poor master. As he shows, it is the right side which is the more reliable and insightful. Without it, our world would be mechanistic - stripped of depth, color and value.

©2009 Iain McGilchrist; Introduction copyright 2018 by Iain McGilchrist (P)2019 Tantor

What listeners say about The Master and His Emissary

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I am in awe of McGilchrist's erudition.

The most polymathic expression of deep erudition you may ever come across. McGilchrist is a scholar of neuroscience, classical art, poetry, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, Philosophy across continents and the span of time, not to mention the history of science. The end product is a mind-stretching analysis of the Western mind including post-modern ideology while avoiding the trapping of soul-destroying Deconstructionism. I think I am smarter for having read this, perhaps only smarter by being humbled by the author's intellect. I have a better idea, at least, of how little I know.

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broo

read this now. it explains so much of what we miss about ourselves and where we can go.

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Great Foundational Read for These Key People

This book will be hugely enlightening and influential for engaged leaders, exemplary educators and community-minded politicians who want to understand their own personal proclivities and possibilities and be better able to accompany others in conversations about how we see, say, value and do things differently depending on how our right and left hemispheres act: more or less independently or interdependently. Rang hundreds of bells for me—for example, the conservative view that the economy and growth of GDP is THE key to prosperity (left hemisphere focus on utility, measurability); whereas individuals and countries that put material benefits in the context of relationships and physical, emotional, spiritual well-being (right hemisphere concerns) were more reasonable to me than my rational conservative friends. Lots and lots to ponder.

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Excellent - and the Narration is Pretty Good.

One of the most interesting books I've read/listened to. I thought the narration was fine. Highly recommend this audio book!

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Great book; horrible narration...

Though his love of run-on phrasing and circular, 'philosophical' prose become somewhat intolerable after the first few chapters, the book is nonetheless intriguing, memorable, and well- researched/ written. My biggest complaint would have to be the narrator. I've never had an issue with or dislike of English accents, but his unique pronunciation of so many words makes one want to reach through the speakers and strangle him. I'm absolutely flummoxed that the company would choose his services for the recording; he's so incredibly annoying.

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A must read (listen)

Absolutely incredible work by Dr. McGilchrist. A well rounded and extensive approach to deal with some of the most fundamental problems of consciousness. Very approachable yet engaging

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Fantastic

One of the best books I’ve read! Explains our screwed-up world with empathy and a ton of research. Likely will become a classic.

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Thoughtful Ideas Worth Considering

I enjoyed the great analysis of brain research, and interesting philosophical interpretation of literature and history.

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Fantastic

I loved this book! I gained so many insights on everything to the personal to the global/international. It was time well spent. I highly recommend this book!

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A lot of religious sentiment

It seems like the author at the time of writing was still seeing the world through the filter of his old religious conditioning. It feels like he favors religion over science, although never explicitly admitting his preference. Otherwise, this book is a large body of work with a lot of great points and observations. Thank you.

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