The Dyslexic Advantage (Revised and Updated)

By: Brock L. Eide MD MA, Fernette F. Eide MD

Narrated by: Tristan Morris

Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide use their impressive backgrounds in neurology and education to debunk the standard deficit-based approach to dyslexia. People typically define "dyslexia" as a reading and spelling disorder. But through published research studies, clinical observations, and interviews with dyslexic individuals, the Eides prove that these challenges are not dyslexia's main features but are instead trade-offs resulting from a different pattern of brain organization and information processing that has powerful advantages. For example, dyslexic adults routinely outperform their non-dyslexic peers in studies on three-dimensional spatial reasoning and divergent creativity. Approximately twenty percent of the US population has dyslexia, and The Dyslexic Advantage shows how each one is predisposed to powerful skills called MIND strengths (Material, Interconnected, Narrative, and Dynamic Reasoning), leading them to possess incredible pattern detection, divergent thinking, episodic memory, problem solving, and prediction abilities.

The revised and updated edition of The Dyslexic Advantage includes eighteen rich new profiles of remarkable individuals with dyslexia. Blending personal stories with hard science, this book provides empowering advice on how to identify, understand, nurture, and enjoy the strengths of the dyslexic mind.

©2023 Brock L. Eide and Fernette F. Eide (P)2023 Tantor

Part informational and part amazing stories, but somehow also life changing.

I read the first edition of this book after graduating from college - no idea how I came across it because I had never been diagnosed with dyslexia - but I always knew that my brain worked differently. I was struggling in life and with myself. Reading the first edition helped me believe in - well me. I’ve since earned masters degree, have been working in my field for 10 year and still haven’t received a formal diagnosis, but - as I found myself tearing up listening to the final chapters of this edition - I know it describes me and that’s something I am now proud of. Thank you.

Not this book again

I started this book cringing, thinking that this book was going to be similar to the original book. I'm not too big of an ass to admit that I was wrong. It is a vast improvement over the original not only in tone but its content. For me, it's hard to read this book listening to all of the great things and strengths of dyslexia. To be honest I was about to write this book off but had resigned myself to completing it. The end of the book changed how I saw the rest of the book the passages about how dyslexia can affect your self-image are well-written and is a great addition.
I would like to see a different book by the same Authors that talk about the problems that adults with dyslexia face. There is a bit of that in this book but I feel like it deserves more space. Honestly, this book feels short in general but it gets the job done.

Inspiring and excellent resource

Excellent resource packed with fascinating scientific findings that are easy for the layperson to understand. I read the first edition of DA with a highlighter and thought I knew the information quite well, but this updated edition has so much more. The revisions demonstrate noteworthy advances made in the understanding of dyslexia itself (significant thanks to the work of the authors) and how important it is to cultivate and appreciate dyslexic minds in this world.

The Dyslexic Advantage is inspiring, interesting and very easy to listen. (Though I need to get out my highlighter again and take notes in the hard copy as well--so much to learn!)

Highly recommended for those who are interested in neuroscience and especially anyone who experiences the advantages of dyslexia in their daily lives.

The stories

The book explains my life experience, both the struggles and the advantages. While I failed many things when I was young, and more as I progressed through life, the resilience I gained with the love and support of my parents, helped me to get up again and again. Today I know being dyslexic is a huge reason for my success.

Book is fantastic. Reading is mediocre

If you think someone you love might be dyslexic, definitely listen to this book. It’s worth the annoying exaggerated reading.

10+/10

I recommend this book to everyone! If you are wanting to learn about dyslexia, start here! Moved to tears, smiles ear to ear, informed, strengthened & encouraged by this work! Thank you!

Excellent view of of dyslexia REALLY is

This was an excellent scientific text to explain the anatomical and physical possibilities of dyslexia in current science, but also gave tear jerking statements and personal accounts of what it really is to be and live someone with dyslexia

This hit home

Like the discussion on strengths and challenges. I wish it had most on the physiological brain differences.

A must listen for anyone w/ a dyslexic in their lives 📚

Not sure how I missed this book 12 years ago with its first iteration, but I am so glad that I ran across this updated version as a random Audible recommendation. I instantly downloaded it and devoured it. As a 50+ dyslexic MD/PhD I have never considered my dyslexia as a handicap, rather as an advantage. With the advent of word, processing and other technological innovations that allowed me to circumvent the few downsides of dyslexia, I have always embraced the condition as my “secret tactical advantage“. We dyslexics find a way to adapt and thrive (a theme reiterated timing again in this book). I agreed with nearly every statement, sentiment, and experience expressed in the text. Although the dry scientific content can sometimes be difficult to connect with an as audiobook (and in all fairness the narrator does little to alleviate the tedious monotone of the narration), this book is worth the effort for anyone touched by the gift of dyslexia (personally or by proxy). My wife listened to chunks of the audio as I consumed this title and repeatedly commented how accurate the narrative was in describing her perception of me. I do not believe this book is for “everyone“, while we dyslexics already intrinsically know the truth about ourselves, this book would be excellent for parents/teachers/spouses of those with dyslexia.

The power that dyslexic people have and not just their shortcomings

Being a person with dyslexia at the beginning of my journey at 35 years old, deciding to go back to school and knowing there are people out there, but I’ve won amazing awards and I’ve done beautiful things with their lives. Gives me hope that I won’t just have to do the same job for the rest of my life, but something fulfilling.