“Transformative…[Taylor’s] experience…will shatter [your] own perception of the world.”—ABC NewsThe astonishing New York Times bestseller that chronicles how a brain scientist’s own stroke led to enlightenment On December 10, 1996, Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven- year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist experienced a massive stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. As she observed her … hemisphere of her brain. As she observed her mind deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life-all within four hours-Taylor alternated between the euphoria of the intuitive and kinesthetic right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace, and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized she was having a stroke and enabled her to seek help before she was completely lost. It would take her eight years to fully recover.
For Taylor, her stroke was a blessing and a revelation. It taught her that by “stepping to the right” of our left brains, we can uncover feelings of well-being that are often sidelined by “brain chatter.” Reaching wide audiences through her talk at the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference and her appearance on Oprah’s online Soul Series, Taylor provides a valuable recovery guide for those touched by brain injury and an inspiring testimony that inner peace is accessible to anyone.
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A scientist who studies the brain has a stroke and writes about that and her recovery realistically.
author gave details following a stroke she suffered in her 30’s during her busy years as a neuroanatomy physician and a painstaking explanation of her slow but complete recovery. The stroke rendered her physically and intellectually incapable of practicing as a physician so Jill went in other directions. she also had artistic talent crafting brain models from stained glass. well written, easy for reader to follow. CO
Very informative. It helped me realize my brain needs rest for rehabilitation
I had heard part of an interview on NPR a few years ago and was glad to learn more of her story. She shares a lot of personal and medical information about the brain, brain mapping and her brain in particular. Inspiring as she recovered almost completely several years later and shares some of the techniques useful in her recovery.
This book highlights the human ability to conquer any situation
This book is very informative and easy to understand. I highly reccomend it.
The beginning was very engaging but after awhile the author resorts to purely personal recommendations on handling life.
Along with informative content, the author seems to want to preach at the reader and try to persuade us to buy her approach to living.
Informative for patients or those who love them. She talks a great deal about oneness with universe. The book does bring insight regarding brain injury and recovery.
great insight into brain issues
This should be required reading for — everyone. So many stroke victims could travel the path toward recovery if their caregivers understood what they are dealing with and how to effectively communicate with their patient.
We we need information on our brain i our brain is stronge and fragil at the same time and one of the parts of our amazing body that is least understood and hardest to fix no replacement parts for it
Having suffered a stroke myself, I found this book kinda too far out. Can’t imagine she had all those weird thoughts.
Realistic to a point.
My wife is in her sixth year recovery of having her right temporal lobe removed to combat epilepsy beginning at age sixty-eight. That puts me in sink with the author’s mother as 24/7 caretaker. One difference; once an epileptic, always an epileptic according to Mayo doctors.
Author’s journey through trials and successes was both descriptive and joy to behold. Anyone and everyone knowing a loved one with similar issues should most certainly read this book. From re-learning to walk (talking to feet) to the complexity of making a sandwich (doing dishes) had us in tears of remembrance. So far, I give author ten stars.
I agree with author wholeheartedly on desire and goals of seeking positive idealism of right brain. These are constant and daily goals my wife and I seek and author gave great insight and tools toward reaching said goals.
My issue; only issue, is the author is working from a position of strength and dare I say comfort, many do not have nor can they imagine…security of future from daily needs from clean glass of water to medical at any and all levels.
However, thank you author and please keep working your message. The world needs you. Oh, and mom. Been there and DOING that.
Absolute must read for anyone!
eye-opening… helps emphasize with stroke victims… scary in its own way…
I met the author at an event several years ago, not long after my own brain surgery. She wrapped me in a hug like an old friend. Her book is as full of light and love as she is. Funny, engaging, and earnest — like she is in person.
This book was eye opening. A Dr. and Brain Scientist experiences first hand the symptoms of a brain injury (Stroke). Her understanding of the experience adds an engrossing dimension to the event that then changes her life as she must recover from the damage, dignity intact….. Awe Inspiring…
Whether you’ve endured the effects of a stroke or not, it’s easy to tap into Taylor’s experience and what she learned about the brain as she studied her own stroke, both during the episode as well as during the 8 years it took for her to retrain the left side of her brain. The last several chapters which explore this insight are truly fascinating and give the reader ways to utilize and strengthen the right side of the brain to enable one to live in the present and truly experience peace and compassion. I loved this book!!
EVERY person with any interest in the brain must read this title. [The author also gave a TED TALK on this subject.] The author, Jill Taylor Bolte, was a neurobiologist so her understanding of the brain was vast. One morning she had a massive stroke with bleeding on the left side of her brain (this is the thinking, everyday part of the brain). As she lost normal abilities on her left brain, her right brain (more creative, mystical, etc.) began to take over. As the stroke grew, she knew she had to get help, but every time her left brain tried to reach for a phone or phone number, her right brain would take over, leading her off to some fascinating places. Eventually she was hospitalized. With the help of her dedicated mother, eight years later she was back to ‘normal.’ She had to learn EVERYTHING again – speech, movement, everything. Perhaps the most fascinating part of the book is where she goes when the right brain is dominant – often she doesn’t want to leave that side as it gave her a sense of peace and, for lack of a better word, a mystical experience. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and as a biologist I read a lot of science. Enjoy!