Customer Reviews

Use Both Sides of Your Brain: New Mind-Mapping Techniques, Third Edition (Plume)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Tony Buzan is one of the pioneers of the "Brain science". He studies how the brain works and then teaches us how we should use it. Although the first edition of this book was written in 1974, it is still considered to present the "modern approach".

The book follows a logical sequence - from explaining how the brain works and how it should be used, through lessons on speed reading and mind mapping, and finishing off with a section on study techniques. The book is full of illustrations and graphs and it is very easy to read.

I would recommend this book to every student or self student. It will improve your study productivity and your memory a lot. Perhaps it should be also combined with other books by Buzan, especially Speed Reading and Make the Most of Your Mind. I only wish I had discovered Buzan earlier.

This book outlines series of very simple yet effective means to learn and retain information. None of the concepts are particularly earth shattering but they are presented in such a way as to make you say Ah ha! Of course, why didn't I think of that? Buzan includes points on how to help you read faster, how to use mnemonics to remember simple to complex information and he explains mind maps and their role in learning. He points outs the flaws in traditional learning styles and note taking and encourages you to evaluate your learning style to best utilize the time and resources available.

This book is great for students and professionals alike and I found it especially useful while studying for my MBA classes.

This book deserves 5 stars hands-down. I have read this book several times since 1985 when it was assigned reading by my professor at USC. I could not believe the transformation in my improved study habit as a direct result of this gem of a book. In short, I went from a C- undergraduate to straight A's in graduate school courses and all courses since then to this day. I work smarter not harder! This book teaches you in plain language how you can too.

As I wonderered how in the world I was going to make it back in college at 38, Tony Buzan's book "use both sides of your brain" caught my eye. Briefly, I finished two and a half years of Bachelor's work with a 3.9. I immediately continued with a Masters and graduated at 3.8. That is not as great as how I felt about myself. This information actually taught me how it is I learn best, it is a gift. It is written in a way that invites curiosity, simply easy to read. This is the thing to do. I am very happy I dared to try the 'mind maps' poster size! It took lots of courage to let go of old ways but the author seems to know we all have a 'self critic' and wrote directly at mine :). I am grateful for this book, thoroughly!

While this book seems a bit enthusiastic and ``gee whiz'' it appears to be based on some solid research about how the mind works. This book is must reading for students, and for anyone else trying to keep up with the literature in a field. The book discusses study techniques, and the centerpiece of the book is a discussion of an innovative, efficient, and highly effective note-taking technique called ``mind mapping''. If you only read the chapter on mind mapping alone, you'll be amply rewarded for the time you spend with this book.

There aren't many better introductions to the broad goal of bringing a greater understanding of how the brain works and how we can utilise that knowledge for better notetaking, improved reading, stronger memory, etc.
Most of the information within this book has been repeated (on many occasions) in Buzan's other works in more detail (ie., separate publications of memory, speed reading and mindmapping.)
What this book does provide though is a 'context' for the more detailed reading that you will NEED to do once completing this book. Mind mapping is not explained in depth in this book and you will want to find something else to cover that topic in more depth. Memory techniques are little more than intimated at in this publication so if you want to take that further it's another book again.
This volume isn't expensive so start here to set the scene for more specific brain techniques.

Overall the book is short, succint, and gets the basics of how the brain, eyes, and body work to remember information. His idea of 'mind-mapping' is interesting and the color diagrams that he provides help readers start using 'mind-mapping' techniques. However, the book lacks clarity on the explanations of each section - particularly on the section about reading and increasing reading speed. His diagrams also do not always stay in touch with the explanations on the direct page. Thus, sometimes the diagrams confuse the reader rather than help illustrate his point.

In the State of Texas, there is a comprehensive exam to become a certified school teacher. It's in two parts, given at different times of the semester.

Thanks to Buzan's ideas, I managed to pass both parts of the exam the first time. I used mind maps, memorization techniques he presented and in general, studied extensively. To be sure, I modified his techniques to fit my own style, but it worked. Mind mapping and mnemonics make good partners!

As with many other study techniques, it is still a lot of work and requires effort, and sometimes you'll have to make time to study when you'd rather do something else. In other words, you'll still need self discipline. But in my opininon, it makes the time studying a lot more fun.

Your mind maps don't have to be great works of art -- and they can be revised -- in fact, the process will help you remember better.

It's possible to do well and pass -- even ace -- tests without these techniques. But if you want something that will make the process more fun and probably more efficient, then this is the book for you.

This excellent book takes a common-sense approach to critical aspects of absorbing the information available from print, a presentation, or a meeting. It also deals with how the mind remembers. Best self-improvement book I've read in years.

I read the book more than two years ago, and since then I practice mindmapping every time I have an exam. I usually don't study at all. English is not my mother tongue. But I am an honor student (GPA 3.76). I don't say it is all because of mindmapping (I don't think I am smart, either), but I am sure Tony Buzan was a great influence on my academic performance. This book should be read by everyone, not just by students. Reading the book is going to be a nice opportunity to realize that effort is not something required for great performance.