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The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (James H. Silberman Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Norman Doidge
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  113 reviews
Sales Rank: 487
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1 Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 1
ISBN: 0143113100
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.8
EAN: 9780143113102
ASIN: 0143113100
Publication Date: December 18, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
An astonishing new science called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives theyve transformed. From stroke patients learning to speak again to the remarkable case of a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, The Brain That Changes Itself will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 108 more reviews...
 Unbalanced But Very Informative December 27, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The brain that changes itself" demonstrates the various ways the theoretical plasticity of the brain can produce significant recovery of patients suffering from the most debilitating ailments, including paralysis from stroke, and autism. Prior to the acceptance of the idea that the human brain is surprisingly flexible and adaptable (plastic), most neuroscientists were of the belief that different sections of the brain specialized in specific tasks (localization), and these specialized areas became rigid and solidified early on in life in such a way that sufficient damage to each section would forever deprive the victim of its functionality.
While Mr. Doidge presents numerous case studies detailing the astonishing and successful impact of plasticity based therapies, there is a peculiar absence of failed outcomes using these methods. As a result, just how far can plasticity take us is difficult to ascertain.
Unfortunately, Mr. Doidge's presentation portrays him as more a cheerleader than an objective source of information on neuroplasticity, and his excitement comes through as glaringly obvious. Consequently, his ideas have a deterministic flavor to them. Plasticity, as he implies, is the end all, be all remedy for a host of maladies, and then some.
Mr. Doidge is also unclear what the future applications of this relatively new field of brain study are. Seemingly, he believes plasticity of the brain can reverse or cure maladies in every walk of life, including but not limited to alzheimers, dementia, age related memory loss, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, learning disabilities, worries, obsessions, compulsions, bad habits, stroke, and problems with sexual attraction and love. Clearly, some patients have benefited greatly from plasticity based therapies, but none of these aforementioned conditions have been close to being eradicated, which begs the question, just what is the potential of neuroplasticity? Can it benefit the plethora of conditions as described b y Mr. Doidge or is he grasping at straws in some cases?
Mr. Doidge's effort in writing this book is to be commended, as it simplifies the field of neuroplasticity and introduces its ground breaking ideas in a coherent and understandable manner to the masses with many interesting case studies. Beyond that, a more focused and less deterministic approach would have made this an outstanding piece of work worthy of five stars.
 Fascinating read. December 22, 2008
What I liked about this book was the hope it holds for all of us that if we persevere on a mental or physical path, we may reach a goal that others think impossible. All those little neurons in the brain that are inching toward each other eventually respond to repetition. It may take a long time, but staying with the task is the key. The case studies were fascinating. There seems to be an explosion of new concepts about the brain and about how to harness its powers in ways we are just beginning to understand. I look forward to more on this frontier. Pain Banishment, Not Pain Management:Non-Invasive Treatment for RSD/CRPS and Other Chronic Pain: Such As Neuropathy, Migraines, Arthritis, and Fibromyalgia ~ EVEN WHEN NOTHING ELSE WORKS ~
Encouraging news about the powers of the brain to heal itself December 21, 2008
This is a fascinating book describing the latest findings in the area of brain research. I enthusiastically recommend it for anyone who wants or needs to find out more about the workings of the brain, particularly anyone dealing with a child with developmental issues. It helps to understand a lot.
A great book December 20, 2008
How in the world could we have been so wrong about the brain for so long?
Intersting, thought-provoking and hopeful December 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful book - easy to read and extremely well researched. It gave me tremendous hope for a brain injured person in my family. I would read it when I felt depressed and would get an instant booster shot of hope. Highly, highly recommended!
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