Review: THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF by Norman Doidge

When I was growing up, we were taught that once the brain was damaged, it stayed damaged. It couldn't heal itself, and whatever functionality the damaged part had was lost forever,

Turns out we were taught some wrong things in the '80s.

Now we have a belief in neuroplasticity,which states that the brain can, in fact, heal itself, and other parts can take over for damaged sections.

This book is an extended apology for neuroplasticity. It is apologetic not in the sense of being sorry for its subject, but in the sense of giving reasons to believe in it. The book provides over a dozen case studies in favor of its thesis. Unfortunately, since neuroplasticity is well-established, the book is no longer cutting-edge.

Like many popular-level science books, this one has a slightly manic tone, as if neuroplasticity will solve every problem. I can assure you that it won't. This is a good example of the genre, though, so if you don't mind your science a little out of date, I'd recommend it.