The Brain’s Way of Healing
Norman Doidge
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2015
⚠️Content Warnings
Graphic Medical Descriptions
In his groundbreaking work The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge introduced readers to neuroplasticity–the brain’s ability to change its own structure and function in response to activity and mental experience. Now his revolutionary new book shows how the amazing process of neuroplastic healing really works. The Brain’s Way of Healing describes natural, non-invasive avenues into the brain provided by the energy around us–in light, sound, vibration, and movement–that can awaken the brain’s own healing capacities without producing unpleasant side effects. Doidge explores cases where patients alleviated chronic pain; recovered from debilitating strokes, brain injuries, and learning disorders; overcame attention deficit and learning disorders; and found relief from symptoms of autism, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy. And we learn how to vastly reduce the risk of dementia, with simple approaches anyone can use.
For centuries it was believed that the brain’s complexity prevented recovery from damage or disease. The Brain’s Way of Healing shows that this very sophistication is the source of a unique kind of healing. As he did so lucidly in The Brain That Changes Itself, Doidge uses stories to present cutting-edge science with practical real-world applications, and principles that everyone can apply to improve their brain’s performance and health.
Tonight’s fit
Best for readers who enjoy: Complex · Neuroscience · Steady
Complex
Canada
POV: Third-Person
Published by Scribe Publications
Characters
•
Doctors
•
Patients
Sub-genre
•
Neuroscience
•
Psychology
•
Science
Experience
•
Complex
•
Dense
•
Scientific
Pace
Gentle
Adrenaline
Balanced
Tone
Light
Dark
Balanced
Book length
Short
Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft
Graphic
Soft
Romance
Background
Front and centre
Background
Worldbuilding
Light touch
Deep & dense
Light touch
Readability
Breezy
Dense
Dense
Humour
Serious
Very funny
Serious
Target audience
Younger
Adult
Balanced
Norman Doidge
Nonfiction
Norman Doidge, a Canadian psychiatrist and author, popularized the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life—in his bestselling books like The Brain That Changes Itself. His work showcases, through engaging case studies, how this brain power allows people to overcome severe brain damage, learning disabilities, and other conditions, demonstrating that the brain isn't fixed but can heal and adapt with focused effort, changing our understanding of recovery, learning, and even human nature.
Books By This Author
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Not for me: The Brain’s Way of Healing
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Brain’s Way of Healing with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
0
0
Loved it: The Brain’s Way of Healing
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Brain’s Way of Healing with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
0
0
Really enjoyed: The Brain’s Way of Healing
Mixed feelings on The Brain’s Way of Healing, but I can see why people love it. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
0
Not for me: The Brain’s Way of Healing
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. Mixed feelings on The Brain’s Way of Healing, but I can see why people love it. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
0
0
Mixed feelings: The Brain’s Way of Healing
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. The Brain’s Way of Healing has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
0
0
Didn’t work for me: The Brain’s Way of Healing
Mixed feelings on The Brain’s Way of Healing, but I can see why people love it. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
0
0
Mixed feelings: The Brain’s Way of Healing
The Brain’s Way of Healing has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
0
0
Really enjoyed: The Brain’s Way of Healing
Mixed feelings on The Brain’s Way of Healing, but I can see why people love it. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
0
Really enjoyed: The Brain’s Way of Healing
I went into The Brain’s Way of Healing with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
0
Loved it: The Brain’s Way of Healing
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Brain’s Way of Healing with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
0
0