Why do you lose arguments with people who know MUCH LESS than you? Why can you recognise that woman, from that thing... but can't remember her name?And why, after your last break-up, did you find yourself in the foetal position on the sofa for days, moving only to wipe the snot and tears *haphazardly* from your face?Here's why: the idiot brain. For something supposedly so brilliant and evolutionarily advanced, the human brain is pretty messy, fallible and disorganised. For example, did you know that your memory is egotistical? That conspiracy theories and superstitions are the inevitable effects of a healthy brain? Or that alcohol can actually improve your memory?** In The Idiot Brain, neuroscientist Dean Burnett tours our mysterious and mischievous grey (and white) matter. Along the way he explains the human brain's imperfections in all their glory and how these influence everything we say, do and experience. Expertly researched and entertainingly written, this book is for anyone who has wondered why their brain appears to be sabotaging their life, and what on earth it is really up to.**Editor's note: please read the book before testing this conclusion.**Review“Entertaining . . . offers illuminating discussions of the way the memory works, of fear and panic attacks, of our susceptibility to being conned or depressed, and of the marvels of the human senses.” (Wall Street Journal) “We love a good brain book, and Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett might just be our new favorite.” (Bookish) “Packs an incredible amount of information into an accessible package with this breezy, charming collection of pop neuroscience musings on ‘how the human brain does its own thing despite everything the modern world can throw at it.’” (Publishers Weekly) “Witty and informative . . . [Burnett] piques readers’ interest with some whacky or puzzling behavior and thoughtfully explains the underlying neuroscience.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review)) “Expertly researched and entertainingly written, this book is for anyone who has wondered why their brain appears to be sabotaging their life, and what on earth it is really up to.” (Guardian) “This is a wonderful introduction to neuroscience, and deserves to be widely read.” (Independent (UK)) “Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist, is also a massively popular science blogger for The Guardian newspaper. In this funny and fascinating book he takes up-to-date research in neuroscience and adds a good dash of humour to examine how and why our brains sabotage our behaviour.” (Cosmos Magazine) “Compelling and wise and rational. You know you can trust him . . . a great read.” (Jon Ronson, author of The Psycopath Test and So You've Been Publicly Shamed) “If you’ve ever wanted to sit down with a neuroscientist, have a few drinks, ask a zillion questions, and laugh until you snorted, read this book.” (David McRaney, bestselling author of You Are Not So Smart) “An entertaining romp through the science of our mental processes. Full of fascinating insight into the brain and the origins of our crazy behaviour.” (Gaia Vince, author of Adventures in the Anthropocene) From the Back Cover
The brain may be the seat of consciousness and the engine of all human experience, but it’s also messy, fallible and disorganized. It’s undeniably impressive, but it’s far from perfect, and these imperfections influence everything that humans say, do and experience. In The Idiot Brain, Dean Burnett celebrates the downright laughable things our minds do to us, and exposes the fact that people are often way off in their thinking about how the brain works. Views: 13
Luke Jensen lived on the wrong side of the tracks all his life, but that never stopped him from realizing his dream and making it a reality. Now, the King of the Street Racing scene, he finally has everything he wants and he won’t let anyone take it away from him. Violet Barnes lived a sheltered life growing up, never fitting in except in the books that she loved. After losing her parents, she forges forward, creating her own little world, content in being alone. When Violet stumbles into Luke’s shop, sparks fly but neither can let go of the hard lessons they learned growing up. Will Violet give Luke a chance to prove he’s not just another gear head? Or will Luke write Violet off before they even have a chance to see that they both need to let go of their past, and focus on the future? Views: 13
For more than sixteen hundred years, Nick Medea has followed and guarded the Gate that keeps the mortal realm and that of Feirie separate, seeking in vain absolution for the fatal errors he made when he slew the dragon. All that while, he has tried and failed to keep the woman he loves from dying over and over. Yet in the fifty years since the Night the Dragon Breathed over the city of Chicago, the Gate has not only remained fixed, but open to the trespasses of the Wyld, the darkest of the Feiriefolk. Not only does that mean an evil resurrected from Nick's own past, but the reincarnation of his lost Cleolinda, a reincarnation destined once more to die. Nick must turn inward to that which he distrusts the most: the Dragon, the beast he slew when he was still only Saint George. He must turn to the monster residing in him, now a part of him...but ever seeking escape. The gang war brewing between Prohibition bootleggers may be the least of his concerns. If Nick... Views: 13
**The laugh-out-loud bestseller is back with the only book to buy this Mother's Day. Perfect for fans of 'Outnumbered' and Carole Matthews, Fiona writes about life as it really is.** Forget about having it all. Sometimes you just want to leave it all behind. Frances is often seized by the urge to walk out of her house without looking back – but she can't possibly do that. She is a single parent. She is needed. She has a job, a home, responsibilities...and a slothful teenage son's pants to pick up. But no one likes being taken for granted – Frances least of all – so the time has come for drastic action. And no one's going to stand in her way... Views: 13
Falling for her new boss! Maddison Carter is determined to build her perfect life—one that provides the security she's always craved. But arriving in London for a six-month job swap, she's tempted by a man who's totally off-limits—her delectable boss, Kit Buchanan! When Kit whisks Maddison to his Scottish castle, she discovers the secret pain behind his easy charm. Only by helping Kit confront his demons does Maddison realize that no one has a perfect past. But with Kit by her side, she wonders if they could have the perfect future...together! Views: 13
