Words Unspoken: The Science, Experience, and Treatment of Stuttering

by Tom Lovett

Stuttering is a mystery. The 99% of people who speak fluently are often shocked when they meet someone whose speech stutters and halts. What's far more surprising, however, is how little most stutterers know about the condition despite living with it their entire What causes it? Why does it sometimes get better, why does it sometimes get worse? Will it ever go away?

These interruptions to fluent speech may seem minor, but they can have a major impact on a person's life. Stutterers have endured the slings and arrows of doubt, insecurity, and rejection for millenia, but that doesn't need to be the case.

Modern academic research is demystifying how speech is produced in the brain, as well as how the brains of stutterers differ from those of their fluent peers. Even further, this research can be turned into a plan of action that stutterers can use to not only increase the fluency of their speech, but how often they speak. And for parents, this research offers clarity and guidance for the often sudden and unexpected appearance of stuttering in a child.

Rooted in his own experience as a stutterer, author Tom Lovett takes the reader on an extensive but accessible tour of this peculiar world that hides in plain sight.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Words Unspoken,” Tom Lovett presents a courageous introduction to both the science and experience of stuttering. As a lifelong stutterer himself, Tom grew frustrated with the lack of available information on the condition’s causes and treatments. When he finally hit upon several academic papers, he found a hidden wealth of published research that no one had ever attempted to summarize. So, he read the 200+ papers himself and translated them into lay language so that their findings could impact others. The result is “Words Unspoken,” which he explains, “is the book I would have loved to read in my early twenties, when I was struggling with my stutter, struggling with my life, and felt like there was no way I would ever dig myself out of that hole.”

“Words Unspoken” is excellently written and deeply grounded in careful research. The prose is engaging and easy to follow, and the book progresses logically from the definition and experience of stuttering to the childhood development, causes, and treatments of stuttering. Better yet, each section is organized and brief enough to function as a handy reference guide after the fact. The author intersperses personal stories along the way that add a human touch and help the reader better understand the research findings. He also offers balanced and reasonable reflections on each topic from his own perspective, further adding value to the book.

From the opening lines of struggle to the ending call of hope, “Words Unspoken” brilliantly guides readers towards a fuller comprehension of stuttering in all its myriad dimensions.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

[bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad has a stutter, and was intrigued to read this book and understand a little more as to why he stutters, and how it can be managed. Upon reading the book, I have discovered that there are developmental stutters (which this book focuses on), neurogenic, and psychogenic (which my dad has), and while there were some crossover, most of the information in this book pertains to developmental stutters. Regardless, I was able to take some information on and apply it to my family situation, which I am grateful for.

In 'Words Unspoken', Lovett interweaves the current research and studies undertaken to understand why and how people stutter, with his own personal experience. I would have liked it to focus a little more on his own experience, and understand better how he was affected by his stutter before learning to successfully manage it. The book also discusses a variety of therapies and management techniques. This book would be a great resource for others who have a stutter, to a) be able to learn the science and management techniques that research has uncovered and b) to see that they are not alone in their struggles,

I did get a little bit bogged down by the science towards the middle of the book, but overall, this was an excellently researched and written book, and I'd be interested to see what the author will do in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tom Lovett to access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacqueline Toscano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate how the author did the work for the reader in reviewing a ton of stuttering research with a critical lens. It was also really interesting to read about the author’s own opinions of how the findings apply to his experience with stuttering.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a stutterer, at least not full-time, except for the occasional "brain fart". I knew nothing about stuttering other than a colleague of mine years ago worked at Ruby Tuesdays as a waiter because constant interaction with people helped him practice and mitigate his stutter. Someone suggested I read this, and I have a real book addiction, so I checked it out.

Tom seems to have done more secondary research on stuttering than most nonfiction authors. There's fascinating deep-dives into the weird and complex ways out brains tell us to speak, and how stuttering screws that up. Want to nerd out on neurology? Lovett has you.

As a stutterer himself, he does bring it all together and make it real. This isn't just a research paper. He stories are sometimes harrowing, sometimes really funny, and always earnest. This ends with a hopeful note, and should be on the t-t-t-to read list for any stutterer, or anyone who is stutter-curious.