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

· Sold by Penguin
4.6
52 reviews
Ebook
224
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

"Transformative...[Taylor's] experience...will shatter [your] own perception of the world."—ABC News

The 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 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.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
52 reviews
A Google user
September 4, 2011
I listened to CD set recording of Jill’s book only after my own mini-stroke a year ago & small stroke nearly a half-year ago. Like Jill, I was able to feel and observe some very similar feelings and thoughts for from about a few hours & up to about a day during my stroke. Regardless of whether you’re recovering from a stroke or supporting a stroke survivor, I think Jill’s book is a must-read for everyone. It can help us all gain a better understanding of the events & issues surrounding stroke. My advice: Whether you’re a survivor or care-giving loved on, NEVER give up! The human brain is amazing! Today I almost can't tell that I had one. Was I extremely lucky? I definitely believe so. And Jill? Yes, VERY lucky and extremely fortunate for everything everyone—and especially her mom—did to help her over her eight-year recovery period as she continued struggling and progressing toward such amazing end-results! If possible, I’d’ve given her book 6 stars for her strong message of hope, trial and error, and persistence against all odds. I do wish I had known about her book before my stroke. It woul’ve helped me greatly as I, my loved ones, and those around me faced, worked, and struggled together with me through all my many challenges and post-stroke issues. It also would’ve better helped ME understand what both of my parents went through with their own strokes many years before. Many thanks, Jill, for sharing your experience and offering words of hope and encouragement to so many others—survivors and care-givers alike!
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A Google user
February 3, 2011
Very interesting and insightful read. I first heard about this book from a podcast interview with Jill Taylor. The book gives a very unique inside perspective of the disabled mind. It explains not only what is lacking in this state, but what is gained. Perception is essentially changed to a whole new kind of reality, but not lost altogether. I really liked the way she was able to pair the subjective experience with her objective analysis as an expert on the brain. I recommend this read.
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A Google user
July 19, 2011
An extremely interesting read for anyone with interest in Psychology, Cognition, or the how the human mind functions in general. It is written with an easy-to-read style that would make even a Freshman feel at home. Complicated concepts are followed with explanation and diagrams if needed. The book is a little repetitive at times, but I'm sure this experience was for Dr. Taylor. If you've studied and enjoyed a Cognitive Psychology class, or know someone who's suffered a stroke, read this book.
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About the author

Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who teaches at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington, Indiana. She is the National Spokesperson for the Mentally Ill for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (Brain Bank) and the Consulting Neuroantomist for the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. Since 1993 she has been an active member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Her story has been featured on the PBS program Understanding Amazing Brain, among others. She was interviewed on NPR’s Infinite Mind and ABC News, and was named one of The 100 of the World’s Most Influential People of 2008 in Time Magazine.

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