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The Owner's Manual for the Brain (4th Edition): The Ultimate Guide to Peak Mental Performance at All Ages Paperback – April 15, 2014
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Cutting-edge, user-friendly, and comprehensive: the revolutionary guide to the brain, now fully revised and updated.
At birth each of us is given the most powerful and complex tool of all time: the human brain. And yet, as we well know, it doesn’t come with an owner’s manual—until now. In this unsurpassed resource Dr. Pierce J. Howard and his team distill the very latest research and clearly explain the practical, real-world applications to our daily lives. Drawing from the frontiers of psychology, neurobiology, and cognitive science, yet organized and written for maximum usability, The Owner's Manual for the Brain (4th Edition) is your comprehensive guide to optimum mental performance and wellbeing. It should be on every thinking person’s bookshelf.
- Print length1056 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherMariner Books
- Publication dateApril 15, 2014
- Dimensions7 x 1.64 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100062227351
- ISBN-13978-0062227355
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A wonderful combination of coffee-table book, engaging and informative reading experience, and handy reference. ... it resembles Carl Sagan’s popular works.” — Booklist
“Targeting an audience of lifelong learners... [it] offers a variety of ideas and perspectives and some excellent reading lists for the general reader.” — Library Journal
”An intriguing book! I’m impressed with the author’s knowledge of current research and his ability to effectively translate it for the general reader.” — Gordon Claridge, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, Psychology Department, University of Oxford
“Bridges the gap between the findings of neuropsychological research and their application by the general public. Humane clarity and practicality are the hallmarks of Dr. Howard’s work. A book to be read -- and applied.” — Peter J. Fagan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director, Office of USFHP, Behavioral Healthcare, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institute
“This useful look at all the facets of the brain and its inner workings will be an excellent resource for those curious about how this organ works and for those looking for a more readable interpretation of the scientific studies done on it.” — Library Journal
From the Back Cover
Cutting-edge, user-friendly, and comprehensive: the revolutionary guide to the brain, now fully revised and updated
At birth each of us is given the most powerful and complex tool of all time: the human brain. And yet, as we well know, it doesn't come with an owner's manual—until now. In this unsurpassed resource, Dr. Pierce J. Howard and his team distill the very latest research and clearly explain the practical, real-world applications to our daily lives. Drawing from the frontiers of psychology, neurobiology, and cognitive science, yet organized and written for maximum usability, The Owner's Manual for the Brain, Fourth Edition, is your comprehensive guide to optimum mental performance and well-being. It should be on every thinking person's bookshelf.
- What are the ingredients of happiness?
- Which are the best remedies for headaches and migraines?
- How can we master creativity, focus, decision making, and willpower?
- What are the best brain foods?
- How is it possible to boost memory and intelligence?
- What is the secret to getting a good night's sleep?
- How can you positively manage depression, anxiety, addiction, and other disorders?
- What is the impact of nutrition, stress, and exercise on the brain?
- Is personality hard-wired or fluid?
- What are the best strategies when recovering from trauma and loss?
- How do moods and emotions interact?
- What is the ideal learning environment for children?
- How do love, humor, music, friendship, and nature contribute to well-being?
- Are there ways of reducing negative traits such as aggression, short-temperedness, or irritability?
- What is the recommended treatment for concussions?
- Can you delay or prevent Alzheimer's and dementia?
- What are the most important ingredients to a successful marriage and family?
- What do the world's most effective managers know about leadership, motivation, and persuasion?
- Plus 1,000s more topics!
About the Author
Pierce J. Howard, Ph.D., is director of research and development for the Center for Applied Cognitive Studies in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since the first edition of The Owner's Manual for the Brain was published in 1994, Dr. Howard has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and conducted countless seminars around the world. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and the International Test Commission.
Product details
- Publisher : Mariner Books; Updated edition (April 15, 2014)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 1056 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062227351
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062227355
- Item Weight : 2.75 pounds
- Dimensions : 7 x 1.64 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #189,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #239 in Anatomy (Books)
- #289 in Popular Neuropsychology
- #538 in Cognitive Psychology (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Pierce focuses on two specialties: assessment and cognitive science. In the area of assessment, he has designed and conducted employee attitude surveys, succession planning research, personality assessment, career development instrumentation and feedback, performance appraisal research, and in-depth selection assessments. In the area of cognitive science, he has conducted creativity workshops for R&D labs, problem analysis in industrial settings, problem prevention planning for product teams, decision analysis for engineering teams, employee involvement techniques for Total Quality Management programs, presentations on brain research for professional associations, presentations on effective learning techniques to various groups of educators, and workshops on learning and memory enhancement. His primary research interest at the present time is the Five-Factor Model of personality. His next project is to develop an integrated model of intelligence, and to coordinate intelligence and personality assessment for use as an aid in workplace decision making.
He has taught Organization Development as a Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Queens University (Charlotte), and Pfeiffer University (Charlotte campus). In the Spring of 2010, he will teach a new course at the McColl School of Business (of Queens University) entitled "Personality Assessment at Work."
Pierce graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in 1963. After a three-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army, he completed his Ph.D. in 1971 at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, the American Society for Training and Development, and the Carolinas Organization Development Network. He has served on several boards of directors. He is the author of The Owner's Manual for the Brain: Practical Applications from Mind/Brain Research(2006; 3rd edition) and, along with Jane Howard, The Owner's Manual for Personality at Work (2000), The Big Five Workbook (1994), and the Professional Manual for the WorkPlace Big Five ProFile (2001). He and Jane are close to finishing a book on using the Big Five personality model with adolescents: The Owner's Manual for Personality from 12 to 22. His next book will be on the subject of happiness as a false god. Interests include chamber and choral music, crafts, and camping.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and entertaining. They find it a useful reference and summary of other self-help books.
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Customers find the book engaging and informative. They find it useful for developing lesson plans and hard to put down. The writing style is well-crafted and engaging, making it a great resource for improving one's personal growth.
"Mr Howard’s efforts have become a layman’s bible for me. Its so helpful and entertaining! It resides in my electronics and my bookshelf!" Read more
"...I can’t put it down when I pick it up! It literally sucks you into a reading trance" Read more
"...It's a cross between functionality and theory. Easy to read, hard to put down." Read more
"...Classroom teachers will find this information very usef in developing lesson plans and activities." Read more
Customers find the book provides useful information about the brain with detailed explanations and practical suggestions. They describe it as a comprehensive reference manual that summarizes other self-help books. Readers also mention it's scientific and one of their favorite books.
"Interesting detailed information about the brain with suggestions about how to use that information in your daily life...." Read more
"Great book. Lots of factual insights into the workings of the human mind." Read more
"This book summarizes so many other self-help books, thus this is a super reference manual to dip into often" Read more
"I use this as a reference - haven't read the whole book. Very detailed and specific. I recommend it." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining and fascinating.
"...Its so helpful and entertaining! It resides in my electronics and my bookshelf!" Read more
"Fascinating! - I can’t put it down when I pick it up! It literally sucks you into a reading trance" Read more
"Fascinating." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2023Mr Howard’s efforts have become a layman’s bible for me. Its so helpful and entertaining!
It resides in my electronics and my bookshelf!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2022Fascinating! - I can’t put it down when I pick it up! It literally sucks you into a reading trance
- Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2018I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm about halfway through. Every time I sit to read I have to put it down because I just keep reading. There is so much to reference here.
- Brain diseases, how to deal with them.
- How to feed your brain for optimum performance.
- How to approach situations depending on the personality of other people.
- Amazing leadership information.
- Amazing performance information.
To simplify: It gives you fact- (study-)based information, then it asks "so what?," and then answers that question. It's a cross between functionality and theory. Easy to read, hard to put down.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2014Interesting detailed information about the brain with suggestions about how to use that information in your daily life. Classroom teachers will find this information very usef in developing lesson plans and activities.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023Highly recommend this read. Especially from this seller.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2014Good Book to read for any person whether you have a science background or not. I just focus on the highlighted points in the book as i have a science background and little but of neuroscience.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018Great book. Lots of factual insights into the workings of the human mind.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2020MUST-READ FOR ANYONE TRYING TO BE A BETTER HUMAN BEING!
Top reviews from other countries
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in Canada on April 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
Comprehensive review of the findings of modern mind/brain research. Language I can understand. Excellent advice.
-
Paulina Torres AnguloReviewed in Mexico on August 18, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Esta compra me cambió la vida
Definitivamente es un grandioso manual para aquellos que quieren hacer mejoras en su vida partiendo desde lo cognitivo. Esta fundamentado en reviews de artículos científicos, en cada tema el autor te hace un pequeño resumen del estado de conocimiento del tema. Sirve para desmitificar y para aprender cosas que no sabías que no sabías. Muy útil para la vida diaria.
-
Gabriela Franco MadiaReviewed in Brazil on December 4, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars SENSACIONAL
Simplesmente magnífico e fácil de ler!
- Chaman lakhotraReviewed in India on December 18, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars So nice
Fantastic
-
Amazon KundeReviewed in Germany on February 18, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantes Buch
Das Buch enthält ein umfangreiches Wissen in den verschiedensten Bereichen der Psychologie und Neurologie, was für den Laien verständlich aber nicht zu leicht verfasst ist. Möchte man sein Leben optimieren, ist das Buch ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel dazu. Besonders beim Verstehen der Hintergründe einer verbesserten Lebensgestaltung, glänzt das Buch mit hilfreichen Darstellungen.