Only a few decades ago, scientists considered the brain to be
fixed or "hardwired," and considered most forms of brain damage,
therefore, to be incurable. Dr. Doidge, an eminent psychiatrist and
researcher, was struck by how his patients' own transformations
belied this, and set out to explore the new science of
neuroplasticity by interviewing both scientific pioneers in
neuroscience, and patients who have benefited from
neuro-rehabilitation. Here he describes in fascinating personal
narratives how the brain, far from being fixed, has remarkable
powers of changing its own structure and compensating for even the
most challenging neurological conditions. Doidge's book is a
remarkable and hopeful portrait of the endless adaptability of the
human brain."
-Oliver Sacks
"Doidge…slowly turns everything we thought we knew about the
brain upside down…and writes engagingly about some of the least
understood marvels of the brain."
-Publishers Weekly
"A masterfully guided tour through the burgeoning field of
Neuroplasticity research… the end result is a solid survey of one
of neuroscience's hottest areas… Along with eminently clear
accounts of the relevant concepts and experiments, [Doidge] gives
well-turned descriptions of personalities and in-the-moment
reactions. This wider sampling and more intimate depiction makes
for an appealing read."
-Discover Magazine
"The Brain That Changes Itself is a valuable
compilation of work that seeks to prove the unsung adaptability of
our most mysterious organ. Readers will want to read entire
sections aloud and pass the book on to someone who can benefit from
it."
-Washington Post
"Doidge provides a history of the research in this growing
field, highlighting scientists at the edge of groundbreaking
discoveries and telling fascinating stories of people who have
benefited… An engaging read for anyone interested in the science
behind how our surprisingly moldable brains are changed by our
experiences."
-Psychology Today
Praise for the writing of Norman Doidge: "Really remarkable…
haunting and memorable."
-Northrop Frye