Incognito

The Secret Lives of the Brain

By: David Eagleman

Narrated by: David Eagleman

Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you're consciously aware of danger? Why do you notice when your name is mentioned in a conversation that you didn't think you were listening to? Why are people whose name begins with J more likely to marry other people whose name begins with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? Renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate these surprising mysteries. Taking in brain damage, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synaesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence and visual illusions.

©2012 David Eagleman (P)2012 Canongate Books

Critic reviews

“Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness.” ( The New Yorker)

“A fun read by a smart person for smart people…it will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings.” ( New Scientist)

“Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you.” (Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine)

Rollercoaster ride of our inner cosmos

Eagleman does an incredible job of sharing the astonishing details of our brains and how it all seamlessly comes together behind the veil.

Nerdy science told as an exciting adventure

Absolutely brilliant. Incognito explains the working of the brain and how it effects decision making, emotions, choices, impulse and cultural and legal systems. That's a lot. But David breaks it into easy to digest logical chunks that are a delight to hear.

I particularly enjoyed how he shares insight on past beliefs and why people thought that, current knowledge, and proposes ideas for better systems and models based on what we know now.

The audio book is great. David's passion and understanding of the subject brings the entire book to a whole new level.

Incognito is jammed packed with knowledge I definitely want impeded into my brain so I will be listening to this book over and perhaps over again.

Everyone should hear this.

My first audiobook. I am truly impressed .

If you could sum up Incognito in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking; insightful

Have you listened to any of the narrator’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The purpose of this review was not so much to critique the book but to give praise to the narrator. I had never listened to an audiobook before so I approached my first encounter with skepticism. Much to my delight I was gobsmacked at the high quality of the narration. The narrator spoke in a dynamic and appropriate manner, emphasising critical sentence points and the like. The overall experience has been a pleasurable one and I would recommend audiobooks to all.

beautiful written and read

enjoyed every second of this book
super interesting
beautifully read
most important book for understanding how to understand the brain

The best introduction to understanding your brain

Do you think that you are in charge of your actions? What should we do with criminals who clearly committed a crime because of say a tumor in the brain? How can we use the brains ability to change to our advantage?

From start to finish this book was highly interesting, highly entertaining, and highly relavant for anyone who want to understand the brain better. Though I am soon getting my PhD in neuroscience and has taught medical students for several years, this book gave me new insights and many examples that I now use when teaching students. Though it gives you more than just the basics, the reader does not need much in terms of background knowledge. Eagleman does a great job of explaining difficult concepts.

I rarely give top ratings to books, but this book deserved it. Buy!

great book !

great book ! changed my point of view to humans ;) as a fashion designer i found everything clear & understandable.

Absolutely loved it!

I'm obsessed with David Eagleman! He's brilliant and entertaining. This book changed my perspective on the brain and on life in general. Must read!