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Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,618 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Reading is a miracle, because the brain was never wired for written language. This eloquent, accessible look at reading explores how it has transformed our brains, our lives, and the world.
It took 2,000 years for written language to develop, and it takes 2,000 days for a child's brain to learn to read. During that time, the brain must literally rearrange itself in order to understand written symbols. What happens when a child has difficulty mastering these abilities?
Using down-to-earth examples and personal anecdotes, a preeminent researcher and literacy lover embarks on a lively journey through the reading brain. Drawing on her vast knowledge of neurology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and child development, she shows how the brain that read Sumerian cuneiforms on clay tablets is different from the brain that reads images on a computer screen. Just as writing reduced our need for memory, technology is reducing the need for written language—a change sure to have profound consequences for our future.
Fascinating and revelatory for anyone interested in the science of the brain, for parents of young children learning to read, and for those who want to know more about dyslexia.
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"A Logos by any other name: I loved this book. Development of alphabets and the written word is the subject, and the neuroscience conjectured behind it. Since all books these days have to be told from the author's explicit perspective ("My parents read me my rights, but I teach my children a love of reading self-help...."), Professor Wolf compares her fear of the digital transition (word to image) to Socrates' condemnation of written culture replacing the oral tradition. It works and makes for a highly-readable and informative text. To my mind, she perpetuates the Socratic notion. Understanding words is virtuous, and virtue, as the old Greek was recorded as saying, makes us friends of the divine."
— James (5 out of 5 stars)
Proust and the Squid Listener Reviews
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" I love books on brain theory and this one provides information on how the the brains of kids who have difficulty reading are wired differently from those who learn to read easily. The fascinating thing is the ways they are able to use different mechanisms. The point of the squid is to ground the information in the idea of adaptation. I hope that with more information like this we may be able to help these kids who so often fall through the cracks in school. "
— Marian, 2/8/2014 -
" This was an amazing, eye-opening read! I would never have guessed there was so much going on while I read. The books gets heavy at times with scientific facts, but overall is very readable. And the information on dyslexia is really fascinating. I would strongly recommend this to teachers, parents and anyone interested in the success of all children. We need to do a better job of reaching kids where they are and encouraging them that whatever their skills and abilities they are invaluable to our future! "
— Julie, 1/27/2014 -
" I was really excited about this book. And then I started reading it. It is so bogged down in technical terminology and repetition that exciting parts get lost. And, frankly, I got bored. That almost never happens when it comes to books. But I did. I got bored. "
— Eli, 1/26/2014 -
" Worthwhile subject, dry treatment. I didn't know that Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell were dyslexic. "
— Kirsti, 1/9/2014 -
" Very informative; Dyslexia and reading development. Now I will explore the writing's of Proust. "
— Sean, 10/29/2013 -
" Great read about why minds never meant to learn to read reconfigured to make it possible, why dyslexics were highly successful in a pre-literate world and continue to be successful today despite their "handicaps" and how computers might change the nature of our reading comprehension in the future. "
— Nicole, 10/13/2013 -
" You will never think of reading the same way again. Very fascinating look at the brain, decoding language, how we have taught ourselves to read, dyslexia, and much, much more. "
— Lydia, 7/7/2013 -
" Stimulating on how our brain rewires itself when we learn to read and on Socrates preference for the oral culture against the written which is now being replaced by the screen with corresponding worries. 'delay' neurons could do with more discussion. "
— Douglas, 7/5/2013 -
" The reading brain: history of written language, reading as a recent innovation learned individually using pre-existing brain features, child development as readers, and the many layers at which that can go wrong producing various subtypes of dyslexia. "
— Luke, 8/19/2012 -
" Description of what an amazing accomplishment learning to read is. Fascinating. "
— Shellie, 5/21/2012 -
" CrossCurrents April 2011 "
— Ktread, 3/17/2012 -
" Interesting book about the history of reading through understandings of brain research. I loved the comparison of Socrates and his reaction to the reading age to modern day and reaction to the digital age. Very compelling. "
— Deborah, 12/28/2011 -
" I certainly liked the Proust parts better than the squid parts; but overall, a good read "
— Michael, 11/9/2011 -
" A pretty academic book about the brain and reading. I like the idea of the book, but it was too long and dense for me to read carefulyl (I did a solid skim). I would have had the mental capacity while in grad school, but right now I do not have the time or patience! "
— Treasure, 10/18/2011 -
" Reading as a miraculous process and the capacity of human brain. The journey of "learning". Very enlightening. "
— ΕυÏυδίκη, 9/3/2011 -
" Great book for all educators and also for anyone who has a brain damages child. "
— Jane, 4/19/2011 -
" Interesting work on how we learned to read as a society and when we don't. Very readable. Anyone teaching children to read, or any advocate of reading to very small children will be very interested in this. "
— Kelly, 4/7/2011 -
" Interesting read. I especially liked the first section of the book pertaining to the history of the reading brain. Would like to know more about dyslexia and it's treatment. "
— Jean, 4/1/2011 -
" a remarkable examination of the history, biology and philosophy of reading. a must for anyone with a reading disability. "
— Blake, 3/5/2011 -
" Hate this book so far "
— Nikki, 3/3/2011 -
" I learned from this book on many levels: as a teacher, as someone who is interested in how the brain works, and as someone who has a very important person in her life who happens to have dyxlexia. "
— Julia, 2/21/2011 -
" Science book which I scanned quickly. It is important for anyone teaching children, parents and teachers, about how our brain develops and adapts on a daily basis. "
— Marie, 1/27/2011 -
" A very interesting book, rather dense. On the process of learning to read and how we don't have a gene for reading, but rather have to use brain pathways that genetically are programmed for other tasks! "
— Janetbeegle, 1/16/2011 -
" Description of what an amazing accomplishment learning to read is. Fascinating. "
— Shellie, 1/9/2011
About Maryanne Wolf
Maryanne Wolf is a professor of child development at Tufts University, where she is also the director of the Center for Reading and Language Research. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.