A User's Guide to the Brain

Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain

By: John J. Ratey

Narrated by: Eric Martin

John Ratey, best-selling author and clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, lucidly explains the human brain's workings, and paves the way for a better understanding of how the brain affects who we are.

Ratey provides insight into the basic structure and chemistry of the brain, and demonstrates how its systems shape our perceptions, emotions, and behavior. By giving us a greater understanding of how the brain responds to the guidance of its user, he provides us with knowledge that can enable us to improve our lives.

In A User's Guide to the Brain, Ratey clearly and succinctly surveys what scientists now know about the brain and how we use it. He looks at the brain as a malleable organ capable of improvement and change, like any muscle, and examines the way specific motor functions might be applied to overcome neural disorders ranging from everyday shyness to autism.

Drawing on examples from his practice and from everyday life, Ratey illustrates that the most important lesson we can learn about our brains is how to use them to their maximum potential.

©2001 John J. Ratey, MD (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A]n introduction to neuroscience which sticks to a man-on-the-street vocabulary." (The New Yorker)

Helpful in understanding.

The backing up of ideas, and the great relevance for many types of Listener, and the clarification of common, and uncommon miss conceptions. Also explanations both simple and chemical, help the reader understand better.

insightful concepts and understanding

This book had some very important information there was put together very well. I am Sommelier with many of these concepts and I still learned a lot.

Very nice book with a lot of information

A wealth of information about the brain, psychology, psychiatry, and many other topics. Full of stories to illustrate the ideas presented. Although long and in some cases repetitive, highly recommend for those who want to learn about how their brain works and how to keep it in good health. The last two chapters in particular are wonderful and worth revisiting multiple times.

Great narrator.

I loved the content and the narration.
I listened as I walked, now I'm going back to take notes.

Very eloquent and thorough!

It covered everything throughout life experiences and personal patients. Language was perfect for non experts. Shared it with all my friends.

Not just more of the same.

I was expecting a different take on information presented in other books of similar titles, but the scope of brain related issues and peculiarities which the author delves into managed to keep my attention glued to my headphones. A must listen for any curious intellectual.

Brilliantly done!

Brilliantly book. Great cognitive psychology information and loaded with practical insights and real-world applications. 👍

Informative.

Detailed look at the functions of the brain. Easy to follow. Should have left personal beliefs out of the last chapter.

fascinating

an excellent book. well researched, and gave me a lot of insight. Would definitely recommend

Conveys to us information we need about our brains and thus ourselves

Both practically useful and theoretically interesting. Easy to follow but packed with specifics about the brain’s anatomy. Many vignettes and micro-case studies intermingled with explanations of how the brain works (or sometimes doesn’t). Highly recommended.