Reviews

Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain by David Eagleman

bella613's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

This is very interesting but most of it is pretty speculative. I like listening to it but it definitely felt more like a pitch or and advertisement than real neuroscience or research. 

maryb258's review

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informative medium-paced

4.0

amma's review

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informative lighthearted slow-paced

2.5

It is certainly a good book for very basic neuroscience topics. However, it is repetitive and I wish that more case studies were used, rather than a few case studies repeated over and over again.

nancysbooknook's review

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4.0

Fascinating and accessible

daisy13's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

Good for ppl who don't know things about Neuroscience and psychology, but if you've taken any biopsych courses you will already know everything he says lol

ell002's review

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4.0

An absolute page-turner, which is rare for me in books filled with jargon. David has a way of making even the most convoluted concepts seem fascinating and easy to follow. I'm a fan of any book that makes me feel smarter for reading it.

threeundertwopnw's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

bearlythinking's review

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4.0

Eagleman explains things clearly, but often reaches to extrapolate. Very fascinating findings throughout, but I think Eagleman is a bit pie-in-the-sky about the implications of his/others' research.

No better example exists of this than the final chapter — Eagleman asks why we can't have inorganic structures like buildings and vehicles act in the same "livewired" manner that organic beings like humans do. Why can't we have stadiums that "livewire" themselves to provide more bathrooms during halftime? Really?

But beyond that nitpick, Eagleman writes in a manner that is both brutally concise and deeply entertaining. He doesn't waste too much time presenting key findings and every story has a purpose.

All in all, worth a read. But prepare for a few eyerolls along the way in what's otherwise a wonderful book.

samuele_merlini's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

sinestrogirl's review

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5