The Rough Guide to the Brain 1

by Barry Gibb, Barry J. Gibb

Within our skulls resides an organ more powerful than the fastest supercomputer, the ultimate multi-tasker controlling everything from the retrieval of memories to complex reasoning - and even breathing. The Rough Guide to the Brain provides an absorbing and accessible introduction to the science of the mind. From how the human brain evolved over millions of years and how it differs from those of other animals to the power of positive thinking and extrasensory perception hypnosis. Illustrated throughout with photos and diagrams, this Rough Guide is guaranteed to get you thinking.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, Brain, Health, Education

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-rate primer, succinct yet broad in scope. Topics include not only structure and cognitive function, but also scientific history, disorders, drugs, unexplained phenomena, and future possibilities.

[Srab.alal]

This book has changed my life , and it's my first English book that I have read .
I can't express how great is it, how clarified wronge concepts and explanation.
What I would like to say is THANK YOU Barry/the author.
=)

[Ijat Loloque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. The content of this book fit its purpose in explaining generality about brain. As a layman, I found it comprehensible. Good job, Barry J. Gibbs.

[Keith]

Its a shame not everyone is free enough to use their own brains.

[Kitty Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I complained about this book to the publishers( Penguin )who assured me in writing they would amend the chapter on Autism in future Editions. I was also successful in having the book removed from my local Library . In addition I also wrote to the author calling him out on his woeful and unscientific depiction of autism but he failed to respond .The chapter on autism casts a dark cloud over the entire book .The author appears to have no understanding or experience of autism and appears to have simply written what they thought they remembered about autism (much of which is woefully inaccurate) without actually looking into it or undertaking any personal investigation. As if there isn’t enough stigma associated with autism, without needlessly adding to it! I expect better of a scientist! The websites provided as references at the end of the chapter , contain none of the ‘information’ he provides so it would appear as if they have been used to grant his writing on autism some authority. I have a huge problem with this and so should he! Many readers would be duped into thinking his statements on autism have weight and that they come from these websites . In my opinion the lack of sources, citations and proper references for claims and statements demonstrate poor academic writing. The chapter on autism (pages 175 to 176) is deeply inaccurate at best, but damaging and hurtful also.

This is a book about the human brain and yet this short and very limited chapter on autism only refers to children, giving no indication of the condition in teenagers or adults .As an adult on the autism spectrum with children also on the spectrum and with other family members with the same neuro-diverse condition, ranging from low support to high support needs I was particularly distressed and also horrified at the misinformation .Most of the statements he makes on autism are damaging, closed, limiting, narrow, out-dated and offensive and provides no indication of the broad range of functionality of people on the spectrum and fails to acknowledge that a child on the spectrum can grow and learn and change !

The entire chapters focus is on disability rather than ability (and doesn't even consider the potential for ability) Furthermore these statements do not apply to many ,many people on the autism spectrum .The author also doesn’t give the slightest reference to the potential for high functioning autism (Also known as low support needs autism ; previously recognized as Aspergers)

[ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

الكتاب فعلا بيستعرض نواحي كتير عن الدماغ البشري , بداية من التشريح و كيمياء الدماغ و انتهاء النوم و الذكاء ..ألخ
الكتاب ممتع في بعض الاجزاء - من وجهة نظري- خصوصا ما يتعلق بالذكاء الاصطناعي و السؤال اذا ما كان المخ مازال يتطور ام الا .
انصح بقراءته لمن يريد ان يبدا بالتعرف علي تركيب الدماغ و مفاهيم زي الوعي , والاختلاف بين الانسان وباقي الحيوانات و مفاهيم اخري متقدمة زي ال cyborg , Artificial intelligence, brain machine interface

[Louise Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting. It's the first science book I've read in which everything has been explained clearly enough for my very non-scientific brain to comprehend. I feel like I actually learned a lot and really enjoyed it too.

[Derrick Trimble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book to gain an overview of brain anatomy and physiology. It indeed met my expectation. Nothing presented was earth-shattering or mind-blowing, but rather informative and kept me interested. However, the reading signposted me to other areas of interest.

[Monika C]

Giraffes sleeps for 2 hours a day
Delfins have bigger brains than humans
Alcohol is twice as bad as sugar
Cbt (thinking & behaving)

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

very clear intro to a range of subjects about the brain

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good explanation of the brain, including the history of brain science, the biology of each part, mental illnesses and disorders, how drugs affect our brain and the future of brain science including AI, social media etc.

Fairly easy to read but did take time to think about each chapter in turn. The information is very clear and concise with images and graphs scattered throughout.

[Valia (beingshelfaware) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice rough guide to learning about the brain, and a nice break from the fiction books I usually read. Learned some new facts. Recommend it to anyone who would like to learn about the anatomy and functions of the brain.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, easy to read synopsis of current knowledge of the marvellous brain. The implications of the first chapters should enlighten everyone who has not been exposed to current research on the brain. The concept of "mind" fades as research on the brain progresses.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very interesting book, but quite dry. If that's your sort of thing, you'll love it.

[Uriha · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fanstastic book. very through and informative.

[Kimeduc8r · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro book--accessible language

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to what we know about the brain.

[Neil Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy to follow and interesting.

[Gianfranco Ruffini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A+/ottimo, semplice intro tocca tutti soggetti rivedere fare note, studiare per primo