My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey
Ratings28
Average rating3.6
An incredible book. It was recommended to my daughter who is reviewing how she deals with life after being diagnosed with breast cancer. This book is so hopeful. Jill Bolte Taylor's ability to reprogram her brain is nothing short of remarkable. Although the text was academic at times, which I skimmed, there was enough of a personal diary that it kept me hooked until the end.
ok, so this is a book that everyone should read solely based on the fact that it is the first hand experience of someone who experienced the separation of the hemispheres of her brain and can tell you about from the perspective of a neuroanatomist.
I picked up this book to see whether it might be interesting from the perspective of a daughter of a stroke survivor or for the stroke survivor himself (my Dad). The first few sections are worthwhile, through the section describing the initial recovery process. However the second half of the book is a little too repetitive and goes less into stroke recovery or day-to-day alternatives and more into a bunch of new-agey stuff. That was a disappointment after how well the author interviews on NPR. All in all, it's just okay, unfortunately.
A really fascinating book, both from a scientific and a spiritual perspective. Dr. Taylor provides a uniquely insightful perspective on having a stroke - being a brain anatomist, she was able to describe in concrete and neurologically accurate terms (accessible to any reader) the experience of her massive stroke, physically and emotionally. Her writing expresses a deep understanding of the human mind and the human soul.
Understanding how the human mind works helps her to explore her attitudes and neurologically ingrained reactions and character traits, and to readjust those attitudes and reactions to her own desires. A wonderful book for helping yourself work through negative thought patterns and to create the outlook on life that you desire. Self-help in the most scientific manner.