My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey - Hardcover

Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670020745 ISBN 13: 9780670020744

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc, 2008

Synopsis

A brain scientist's journey from a debilitating stroke to full recovery becomes an inspiring exploration of human consciousness and its possibilities On the morning of December 10, 1996, Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist, experienced a massive stroke when a blood vessel exploded in the left side of her brain. A neuroanatomist by profession, she observed her own mind completely deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life, all within the space of four brief hours. As the damaged left side of her brain--the rational, grounded, detail- and time-oriented side--swung in and out of function, Taylor alternated between two distinct and opposite realties: the euphoric nirvana 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 Jill was having a stroke, and enabled her to seek help before she was lost completely. In My Stroke of Insight, Taylor shares her unique perspective on the brain and its capacity for recovery, and the sense of omniscient understanding she gained from this unusual and inspiring voyage out of the abyss of a wounded brain. It would take eight years for Taylor to heal completely. Because of her knowledge of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and most of all an amazing mother, Taylor completely repaired her mind and recalibrated her understanding of the world according to the insights gained from her right brain that morning of December 10th. Today Taylor is convinced that the stroke was the best thing that could have happened to her. It has taught her that the feeling of nirvana is never more than a mere thought away. By stepping to the right of our left brains, we can all uncover the feelings of well-being and peace that are so often sidelined by our own brain chatter.

About this title

Review:

This book is important for everyone . . . I love this book (Oprah Winfrey)

A unique insight into human consciousness and its possibilities (The Times)

the incredible story of the neuroscientist who rebuilt her own mind after suffering a severe stroke. (New Scientist)

Book Description:

The international bestseller and recommended by medics, patients and the NHS, this is a brain scientist's personal experience of a stroke. It tells of her journey and gives rare insight into human consciousness and its possibilities for all of us

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0670020745
• ISBN 13: 9780670020744
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192