A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain
The book was informative, entertaining, and accessible. Having some feel for brain anatomy made the narrative more vivid for me. Some readers may find it valuable to review basic brain regions before reading the book. I imagined areas of the brain much like heroes in the Justice League. A small group of colorful characters, with unique talents and weaknesses, working together to fight for the survival of each human. Sometimes the material felt a little dated. I expected this to bother me — it did not. I was simply amazed to discover how much we have learned in such a short time. What a time to be alive!
I was encouraged by his inclusion of perception pathology though I still felt too much weight given toward consciousness. There is so much to explore that can be more objectively measured.
Dr. Ratey seemed especially excited about a mental model he used, The Four Theaters of the Brain. Perhaps the goal for using this model was to emphasize the brain’s interdependence of form and function, like a neurological ecosystem? If he explained why he used that particular model, I missed it. The model was still helpful for putting ideas in context.
I was impressed with Dr. Ratey’s clear thinking and good teaching technique. He used repetition, structure, and narrative beautifully. What a pleasure it was to encounter such a well crafted work.