Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett - Non Fiction - Paperback

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781529018646
Publisher: Picador
Age Range: Adult (Non Fiction / Popular Science)

Overview
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain is a compact, brilliantly written primer from renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett. In just over 190 pages, she distils decades of cutting-edge brain research into short, vivid chapters that overturn popular myths and reveal what your brain actually does. Ideal for curious adults, students, teachers and science lovers, this Picador paperback edition offers a fast, rewarding read that changes how you see yourself and other people.

About the Book
Forget everything you thought you knew about the "lizard brain," the left brain versus right brain divide, or emotions battling reason for control of your mind — Barrett dismantles these persistent myths with clarity and wit. Across seven short lessons, plus a concise half lesson and a brief evolutionary history, she explains how the brain evolved primarily to regulate the body and predict what happens next, not simply to "think." Readers discover how a single brain is built through nature and nurture together, why brains are fundamentally social organs that shape and are shaped by other brains, and how the very structure of the human brain — far from being a triune, layered machine — is a single interconnected network. Barrett draws on her own pioneering research, translating complex studies into everyday language without sacrificing rigour. The book's brevity is deliberate — Barrett wanted a neuroscience book people could read on the beach — and it rewards a single sitting while offering insights worth revisiting. Whether new to neuroscience or already well-read, readers will find a genuinely fresh framework for understanding thought, feeling and behaviour.

• Seven short, focused chapters plus a bonus half lesson and brief history — a quick yet substantial read.
• Debunks enduring brain myths, including the "lizard brain" and left/right brain divides.
• Written by a globally respected, highly cited neuroscientist and psychologist.
• Clear, jargon-free prose suitable for general readers, students and educators alike.
• Compact paperback format — perfect for commuting, travel or bedside reading.
• A thoughtful gift for anyone curious about the mind and human behaviour.

About the Author
Lisa Feldman Barrett is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, with appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Ranked among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world, she is the bestselling author of How Emotions Are Made and a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship in neuroscience. Barrett is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada, lending exceptional authority and trust to her accessible science writing.

Why You'll Love This Paperback
Sharp, myth-busting and genuinely enjoyable, this bestselling author's compact guide turns complex neuroscience into an engaging, quick read — ideal for gifting, classrooms, or your own curious mind.

Please Note: Cover image shown is for illustration; you will receive the current UK ISBN edition as listed.