Customer Reviews

Inside the Brain: Revolutionary Discoveries of How the Mind Works

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book raises some very important issues. It is a popular account of some not-so-modern-anymore research in brain plasticity, development and neurochemistry, as well as some genetics. The main points the author wishes to get across are the fact that the brain is molded by the enviroment, that molecular neurobiology is beginnig to use the brain's plasticity to heal it, and that behavior and personality have strong biological bases. All of these points are corroborated, and the book discusses work done by lots of interviewed neuroscienctists. The text is real easy to understand, and has a lot of valuable information in it. It is by a journalist, and reads like a piece of journalism.
The thing I most dislike about these kinds of books is that thay are too optimistic. Yes, you understood right. ONly one side of the debate is presented. And the research discussed is oversimplified to astonishing degrees. I mean, it is not scienctifically responsible to make claims like "receptor x is for agressiveness, receptor y for attentiveness, receptor z for arousal". Those are gross simplifications. It is simply ridiculous to make such claims. Another thing is that the author fails to mention that almost every research mentioned is contested by some other that failed to get the same results. Genes or receptors for this or that arise every week, are refuted the next week, and brought back to life the next week after that. The field is really promising, but it is also really murky right now.
The discussion on plasticity, new thechniques fighting strokes and Altzheimers, and the importance of enviroment on development are pretty accurate, however. The author does a good job in showing the great impact the change of view from "hard-wired" to "fluid" has had in the neurosciences. This is really some of the most iteresting issues, and those that most easily will have an impact on daily life. But the book is by no means scientifically rigorous.

I tend to collect books on the brain, partly because of my personal interest and the fact that I am a neuroscientist and an educator, especially of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. I am always on the lookout for good quality books which provide simple but concise descriptions of the brain's capacities and the impact of drugs, alcohol, and injuries on the brain. Kotulak does a pretty good job, and actually provided me with some interesting information which wasn't available in textbooks. He also backed up his information with reliable research, even though it gets confusing occasionally between hard science researchers such as those who do MRI and catscan studies of the brain, and soft science researchers or those who are in the psychiatric professions. He does the reader a favor by providing them other places to go if they find a particular part of the brain or the problems of the brain by quoting these researchers and providing them as references. On the whole the book is worthwhile, and it is available for my students and peers to read as a good start in basic neuroscience. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu

When this book was first assigned in a college course, I sighed inwardly, imagining long nights filled with tongue twisting neurobabble in my future. So I was happily surprised when I found the writing to be consise, easy-to-read, and above all, interesting. Inside the Brain is written for the non scientist by a non scientist. The theories discussed are riveting. I never had any idea that child rearing before the age of five could have such a positive or negative affect on a child's brain. Or that violence can become hard-wired through the environment a child is raised in. The discussion of addiction and alcoholism is fascinating. I would be very happy if a cure for these deadly and humiliating diseases was found in the near future. Although much of what is presented in the book is grim, Kotulak manages to put a touch of hope into all of the findings. People from all walks of life would benefit from the information found in this book.

Kotulak provides the interested layman with a series of short chapters dealing with relatively recent discoveries about how the human brain works, how early experiences affect brain chemistry (and behavior), and what can be done to maintain maximum brain efficiency. It is a fine introduction to the neurobiology of the brain and recent discoveries that will have a lasting impact on how we view human behavior. Chapters are concise and to-the-point and leave the reader with much to ponder. More diagrams and illustrations would have greatly improved the book, but the price is right. I teach an adult course on brain biology, and of all the affordable "brain" books I reviewed this one works out best as a reference source for students in terms of stimulating discussion.

The book is very readable and easy to understand. The author captures very intricate aspects of the brain and put it in simple terms and forms that anyone can comprehend. The author should be commended for this because anyone who has taken courses in the study of the brain, knows that this area is extremely complicated and difficult to comprehend. A good Job. Thanks.

Ronald Kotulak is a compelling and well researched author who translates boring neurological studies into vibrant literature. This book is a must-read for parents, educators and others who are interested in how children learn, how to avoid hard-wiring violence into the brain, and how to age intelligently.

It's not the kind of book one would normally take on vacation for beach and dock reading but I did and as a teacher of 3 to 6 year olds and a mother I was gratified to see that what has been felt for years is finally being proven. We, as teachers watch and see alot and it is the environment of the child's life that ultimately makes the difference and now the proof is in. I also recommend it for anyone who has suffered from depression or alcoholism, the explanations are clear and make sense.

When I first discovered this book, I realized how important it was. I suggest chapters from it to my students in Introductory Psychology and Child Development. These discoveries are leading the new positions in education, prompting earlier and earlier "teaching" (enrichment) for children. Written with enthusiasm and skill.

This book should be read by all educators. It has startling information on how critical education is in the primary grades. This book gives new insight on how to prevent difficulties with the brain, and how the medical profession is close to curing many mental disorders. It is one of the most fascinating research studies that I have read. I want to know more

This easy to read, informative book gives a clear picture of how stimuli connects and wires our brains from conception on. How bad stress, substance abuse, and physical abuse can lead to white matter damage. The research and references are outstanding. This book should be mandatory for all educators and parents. Dr. James A McGregor and Suzi McGregor