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The Master and His Emissary

The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World

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The Master and His Emissary

By: Iain McGilchrist
Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman
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About this listen

In a book of unprecedented scope Iain McGilchrist presents a fascinating exploration of the differences between the brain’s left and right hemispheres and how those differences have affected society, history and culture.

McGilchrist draws on a vast body of recent research in neuroscience and psychology to reveal that the difference is profound: the left hemisphere is detail oriented, while the right has greater breadth, flexibility and generosity.

McGilchrist then takes the listener on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists from Aeschylus to Magritte.

©2010 Iain McGilchrist (P)2019 Tantor Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Inspiring Thought-Provoking Human Brain

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Some books tell you things you knew but hadn't quite put together or been able to articulate. That's not all this book is, but it's not less either.

Particularly heartening in a book that's so wide ranging is where he talks on subjects that I do really know. Many books fail at this point by demonstrating they haven't quite understood the issue. In this case, when writing about music, McGilchrist knocks it out of the park.

The narrator is uncanny at times - has a great overall voice but quite a few times pronounces words in a strange way that pulls you out of the experience.

For those open to the message, profound

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Very interesting, worthwhile listen hurt by frequent frustratingly odd pronunciation of words by the narrator which leads to your left hemisphere focusing in on the detail of the odd pronunciation thus distracting your right hemisphere from maintaining the view on the bigger picture of the topics being discussed.

Good book, poor narration

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Definitely worth persevering through what is a long book that is somewhat epetitive at times.

Broad context across philosophy neuroscience medicine technology religion and medicine

Long but worth the effort

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very happy with this purchase, fantastic audio version, research really well presented and clear, highly recommended.


an outstanding work

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This amazing book is an easy listen, scholarly, and wonderfully narrated. It's scope is immense- life itself from everyday interactions to neuroscience, to why we have got to where we are culturally in the west. It is long- 27 hours, and I suggest better listened to initially because the narrator takes the effort out of absorbing some necessarily long sentences. I am currently re-listening to the preface and introduction to re-tune myself to the author's enlightening breadth of view of how we engage with what is around us.

The praise from intellectuals from a range of interests is, for once, well deserved. But anyone with however modest an education can enjoy and absorb this book.

Outstanding book about being alive

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A most interesting and thought provoking book. As someone with an interest in brain lateralisation & function, I have read part one of this book (The Divided Brain) twice. But I never got round to the part two, (How the Brain Has Shaped Our World). This was mainly due to personal laziness, but at over 600 pages it is quite a tome, and it's not exactly light reading. I was delighted to see it available on audible and have now completed it from cover to cover, enjoying every moment. As well as the obvious neuroscience and psycology, it also covers philosophy, history, art and music. The only downside is Mcgilchrist is such an undisputed genius, it does leave one feeling somewhat intellectually lacking. Joking aside, it's a truly great book and highly thought provoking. A++++

An Intelectual Masterpiece !

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the book is great. felt like it addressed questions that I didn't realise I'd been asking all along. it has changed the way I think about language/music/philosophy and many other aspects of life!

the earlier more scientific chapters are quite long but worth it so don't give up!

wouldn't recommend relying on the audio version alone though, as it is complex at times so having the physical copy can help revisit earlier passages.

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the physical copy

really compelling

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The scope and breadth of this book is quite paradigm changing. I feel I understand a bit better how this world I live in has been shaped in regard to the left and right hemispheres of the brain in a societal way and also how my own personal brain works too. I have now bought this book as I want to re-read it again myself as the ideas and amount of research within this book is amazing.
Cannot recommend highly enough, even though the narration is slightly monotone the content saves it.

Read this book

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A beautiful and important book. Sadly the narration lacks life, is full of mispronunciations and the emphasis often obscures the meaning. Regardless you should listen to it anyway!

Great book poorly read

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The best non-fiction book I've ever read, hands down. Will change the way you see the world and yourself.

World-Altering

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