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Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain cover art

Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

Written by: Lisa Feldman Barrett
Narrated by: Lisa Feldman Barrett
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Publisher's 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.

What the critics say

"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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  • 2023-11-29

Great knowledge

Excellent information, well written and easy to understand! Great work. Everyone should read and share with others so we learn globally

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Amazing

loved it. amazing lessons and an excellent way of performing and taking you through your brain.

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1 person found this helpful

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Very interesting

Fascinating explanations of how the brain works and the mind develops. Gave my mind a workout!

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3 people found this helpful

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Scientific and Uplifting

Try as I might, neuroscience books don't often get finished by me.
This one is different and has given me a better understanding to apply other ideas too.
Will listen to again.

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meh

I often takes notes if the nonfiction book has insights pearls of wisdom I want to remember. I took very few notes from this book. Quite a few political, left-leaning endorsements, which seemed awkwardly inserted. The points were expanded upon but this didn't add much to the message. Felt like a 10 minute Ted Talk that was made into a 6 hour audio book by adding fluff.

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