Type of bind: Paperback
Format: Bargain Price
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 240
Printing Date: October 06, 2004
Sale Popularity Level: 652603
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Product Description:
Richard Restak explains, in layman's terms, how our brains are struggling to keep up with the world we've created. Computers, mobile phones, the Internet, violence on TV - the modern world is causing the human brain to evolve in ways that may prove irrevocable. Offering scientific proof, the author shows how the world we live in has affected our ability to focus, concentrate and respond effectively to the multi-tasking demands of modern life. At the same time research on the brain has moved away from the old emphasis on disease and dysfunction to open up insights into every kind of mental activity. And, although this is not a self-help book, 'The New Brain' shows how a lot of contemporary brain research has practical applications with consequences for our everyday lives.
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Rated by buyers 
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The subtitle of the book is misleading-there is only 1 1/2 chapters devoted to how our brains are being rewired by today's society. Thus, I was disappointed that I didn't learn what I thought I was going to learn.
The rest of the book is a summary of research that has been done, and where the research is going in the future. The subtitle should be "How the Modern Age is Researching Your Mind".
As a mom with ADD, and kids with ADD, I was under the impression this book addressed ADD more than it does. We have the genetic form, which is quite different from merely having a short attention span. In fact, people with ADD can hyperfocus on things that are interesting to them. This book doesn't make the distinction between a short attention span and and the overall brain malfunction of ADD.
I gave this book 3 stars because it does have some interesting information in it. I'm going to discuss his information on depression with my son's psychologist to see if the neurofeedback my son is doing can address the brain differences researchers have found. Mr. Restak doesn't even mention neurofeedback, although he talks extensively about how the brain can be changed at any age. In fact, he doesn't really give suggestions on how we can change our brains, if that is our goal, other than taking drugs. It would have been nice if he would have mentioned professionals that we can contact to make the changes he talks about.
Rated by buyers 
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Richard Restak has published several books about the functioning of the human brain, all intended for a general audience. In my opinion, this is the best of them, covering a great deal of material in a manner that should be accessible to all.
The focus is on two aspects of the brain in the early twenty-first century: both the most recent research on the brain itself and the effects of new technologies in the areas of both biology and information technology on the brain.
The book covers such areas as the role of both talent and practice in achieving mastery in playing music, the effects of increased bandwidth of information transmission on our ability to pay attention, recent discoveries that the brain is far more plastic (able to "rewire" itself) than had previously been believed, and the ethical questions concerning prescribing psychoactive drugs for patients with no disorder that can be diagnosed.
I also found Dr. Restak's cautious attitude about what we really do know quite appealing.
Rated by buyers -
Restak takes the wonder of the human brain and brings it down to earth for people like me who were non-science majors.
His books covers the latest findings in technology on how the brain works and shows how it relates to our everyday lives. For instance, scientist thought as recently as a decade ago that we learn most of what we are going to learn in childhood. But now we know the brain is "elastic" and that we can always learn new things no matter how old we are.
Also interesting are the findings on how TV violence affects young brains and why it does matter what all of our children watch on television.
There are other topics covered. Each chapter covers some aspect of the brain and what it means to us personally and culturally. I think every parent should read this book as it will help you in coaching your children on how to be better learners. It will also motivate you to try something new!
Rated by buyers 
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Perhaps my rating was a bit biased because I'm a psychologist and am familiar with most of the brain research and neuropsychology statistics. However for the layman this book is an excellent primer and in that respect it should be rated a five.
Rated by buyers -
The New Brain is an excellent summary of current research and cutting edge technology. It does not go into depth about the different parts of the brain, but it does give interesting examples of how modern technology is affecting our brains. The book is well balanced illustrating the good, bad, and ugly of our current society. It also explores ethical issues that researchers are facing as new technology and understanding of the brain is developed. Fun examples to test some of the theories are given. Some of the activities are easy to translate into a classroom making interesting lesson plans.
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