The Idea of the Brain Audiobook By Matthew Cobb cover art

The Idea of the Brain

The Past and Future of Neuroscience

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The Idea of the Brain

By: Matthew Cobb
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
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An "elegant", "engrossing" (Carol Tavris, Wall Street Journal) examination of what we think we know about the brain and why -- despite technological advances -- the workings of our most essential organ remain a mystery."I cannot recommend this book strongly enough."--Henry Marsh, author of Do No HarmFor thousands of years, thinkers and scientists have tried to understand what the brain does. Yet, despite the astonishing discoveries of science, we still have only the vaguest idea of how the brain works. In The Idea of the Brain, scientist and historian Matthew Cobb traces how our conception of the brain has evolved over the centuries. Although it might seem to be a story of ever-increasing knowledge of biology, Cobb shows how our ideas about the brain have been shaped by each era's most significant technologies. Today we might think the brain is like a supercomputer. In the past, it has been compared to a telegraph, a telephone exchange, or some kind of hydraulic system. What will we think the brain is like tomorrow, when new technology arises? The result is an essential read for anyone interested in the complex processes that drive science and the forces that have shaped our marvelous brains.

 History & Philosophy Biological Sciences History Thought-Provoking Science Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Cognitive Neuroscience

Critic reviews

"An intellectual tour de force, and a brilliant demonstration of how a historical approach is often the best way of explaining difficult scientific problems... I cannot recommend this book strongly enough."—Henry Marsh, The New Statesman
"Elegant... engrossing... clear and lively... The reader will come away from this illuminating history of thinking about the brain with a renewed appreciation of the task that remains."—Carol Tavris, Wall Street Journal
"This ambitious intellectual history follows the changing understanding of the brain from antiquity to the present... Cobb's account is an important contribution: few have offered such accessible insights, with choice examples and clear explanations of the societal factors that lie beneath... It is a very good book."—Nature
"Sweeping and electrifyingly skeptical"—The Guardian
"A fresh history and tour d' horizon of "the most complex object in the known universe." Although scientists still struggle to understand the brain, they know a great deal about it; Cobb, a professor of biological sciences, delivers an excellent overview."—Kirkus Reviews
"The book reveals that there are many ways to think about what brains are, what they do, and their relation to the mind. Cobb's erudition and engaging writing style take us on an enthralling journey, rich with accidental discoveries, controversies, and rejected hypotheses."—Science
"In this engrossing book, Matthew Cobb deftly recounts the tortuous history of research on the brain, in which researchers pursue the hard problems of memory, consciousness, and volition, always limited by forced comparisons between human brains and the machines available at the time. A work of history and deep scholarship, but written in an engaging and lively way, The Idea of the Brain is optimistic about the recursive attempts of our brains to understand themselves, yet reminds us that the three most important words in science are, 'We don't know.'"—Jerry Coyne, author of Why Evolution is True
"The story of the most complex object in the universe has never been told with greater clarity, insight, and wit. Charting the route to future discoveries, this is a masterpiece"—Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived
"Matthew Cobb weaves a fascinating story of the historical arc of neuroscience, from the initial discovery that the brain gives rise to our minds, to the state of the art in the manipulation and control of the brain."—Russell Poldrack, author of The New Mind Readers
Comprehensive History • Intellectual Exploration • Scientific Uncertainty Acknowledgment • Epistemological Depth

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Narration was excellent; the story covers historical and current understanding of consciousness, computer brain simulation and brain biology. Mostly a rehash of others work on the subject.

Good summary of the current understanding of the brain

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It provided an interesting look at a very complex field. The recording itself was well performed and easy to listen to (I listened at 1.2 speed)

Really enjoyed this book

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Very understandable overview of both the history of the "idea of the brain" and the current state of our knowledge of brain function.

Excellent Overview

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Excellent and engaging history of neuroscience, filled with facts and insights that are valuable to us now and tomorrow. More proof that science is dynamic, never static, and that even after all these years and all this effort, we know little about ourselves and the planet on which we dwell. A very good read.

Good Science

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This book covers a large history and future of mankind's understanding of consciousness, and how it pertains to neuroscience, biology, & philosophy. There's no answers, just a lot of new concepts to explore and understand. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the science of consciousness.

Very thought provoking

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