[.ca] Mozart's Brain and the Fighter Pilot: Unleashing Your ... (ISBN 0609810057)

Use it or Lose it:
In his 15th book, renowned brain expert Richard Restak offers up twenty-eight tips on how to improve the function of our brains and possibly help stave off senility, Alzheimer's, and other mental impairments. At the heart of his message is the fact that, unlike our body's other organs, the brain doesn't age, but will suffer atrophy with disuse. Luckily, with constant stimulation of the proper kind, the brain can stay sharp and actually improve to the end of our years. The list of beneficial brain activities includes listening to or--better yet--learning music (this is where Mozart comes in), playing challenging games, reading advanced books, meditating, solving puzzles, playing certain sports, and even watching thought-provoking television programs. Restak also offers a number of brain "exercises." These are essentially new ways to think of stuff. While some of these seem a bit boring and time consuming, with results that aren't quite clear, there is something for everyone in the book. Despite an intriguing title, the book is a bit dry. His detailed explanation of the inner workings of the brain isn't going to be for everyone. But since we all seem to be living longer lives, and nobody wants to spend them in a nursing home, it makes a lot of sense to follow Restak's twenty-eight easy steps to life-long lucidity. Definitely a worthwhile read. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of BIG ICE and WAKE UP DEAD

I Wanted to be Wowed......:
and in this case, I wasn't. The material wasn't bad... but it was missing that "edge" that sets apart exceptional books from unexceptional books. What was the largest weakness for me was an inconsistency between the chapters: some were filled to the brim with useful, workable suggestions and ideas and others left me wondering, "Wait, what was the intended suggestion for that chapter?" Perhaps the confusion was part of Restak's intent... to get the reader really applying our newly-stretched brainpower? *Shrug* Just not sure.... there is some decent information here which I will more than likely use and reuse, which is why the ranking is 4 stars rather than 3.

Not for Beginners or Neurosurgeons, Good Intermediate Read.:
Among the books about improving your thinking, this book takes you one step further. This is not just an explanation of thinking skills but an overview of the interactions among the various parts of the brain. It includes suggestions for general brain health as well as activities that involve multiple areas of the brain, which in turn form new neuro connections.The second half of the title "Unleashing Your Brain's Potential" is more appropriate for the content of this book. N. Illing, author of SPARKS Ignite Imagination, an informational activity book for stretching the imagination.

Audio Version not the Correct Format:
I found this book difficult to absorb because I had the audio version. An audio book is a disadvantage to a reader trying to participate in the brain exercises while on the daily commute. The book format would have allowed a sedentary reader to take advantage of the information provided. I was not able to flip back and forth easily or mark pages to return to. I thought the book (tape) would be more about brain architecture and how Mozart's brain actually would differ from a fighter pilot's brain. There is a little speculation about how the brains of the MTV generation cope with image overload versus the previous generation's method of acquiring information. The title is a little misleading. It really is a book about brain exercises, because the author believes these exercises help keep the brain young and healthy. It is the old theory of "use it or lose it" adapted to the brain. I do not know if I totally subscribe to this theory, avid readers seem to be the first to wear glasses, hockey and football players retire with injured knees. The book on the whole is interesting. Definitely worth it. It presents some unique ideas and it's a noble goal to keep your brain active even if the exercises were to have no effect.

Audio Cd is monotone:
I thought this would be a good way to start my day while walking 30 minutes. I've presented workshops on right brain/left brain integration. The monotone of the author is so boring that I never got beyond the 2nd CD. Perhaps reading the book will make this a more meaningful exercise. I bought it as an audio CD so I could "take it with me" and now I leave it at home!