My husband is at risk for a stroke sometime within his life time (already had a very minor one), and so I read this book seeking the detailed information promised by a scientist. The best information was to be patient, look the patient in the eyes, speak quietly and slowly over and over if necessary, stay positive and detail oriented, and develop daily plans.

Good information, but sometimes too much repeat information. I also wished that the author had used less contrast description when talking about her first day and week after the stroke. The message about her state of being and her "lost" abilities got lost in the words about what she "should" have been able to do.

One of many books.

A very valuable book, not only for those who have suffered a stroke, but for those whose loved ones have. My husband suffered a massive stroke in 2002, several TAI's, and 2006 diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The book shows how small steps are the so important and not overwhelming for the person. Above all treating the patient and loved one with DIGNITY! Take charge of and be involved every step of the way.

This book does provide a fascinating personal account of Ms. Bolte Taylor's stroke, but it also gives inspiring advice. She had the great opportuniuty of being forced to re-program how she sees and interacts with the world and challenges the reader to do just that.

I had high expectation for this book, but it was far less interesting than I hoped. There were many redundant passages about being one with the universe and the state of nirvana that the author, Dr. Jill Taylor, achieved. A good editor would have shaved off at least 20 pages. I found myself skimming over more than a few pages. I expected more of the science; explanations were couched in simplistic terms. Although there are descriptions of normal brain function in the beginning, the scientific discussion waned when it came to her actual situation.

After her surgery and her recovery starts, Dr. Taylor glosses over the 8 years it took her to recover to focus on the spiritual aspect of her experience. The steady stream of new-age mysticism is attributed to right-brain function, making an argument that religious/spiritual/mystical experiences are nothing more than a few extra neurons firing here and a few less firing there. And who knows, maybe they are. What might be useful to hospital workers and caregivers is her need description of how their questions, demands, and posture were experienced. She needed questions repeated slowly, not loudly. (As she noted, she wasn't deaf, but folks would repeat a question louder as if it would make understand better.)

At the end of it, I was disappointed in this book. Even at the Kindle price of $9.99 I would recommend waiting to pick the paperback version up for less.

25 years ago, my grandmother suffered a massive left hemisphere stroke that left her half paralyzed and unable to speak. That was a traumatic experience for me and all my family. My beloved grandma died 5 days later, probably of pneumonia. But I always feared to enter her mind during those 5 days in ICU, wondering what it would be like to be buried alive, figuratively, after a massive stroke. So I read this book with trepidation but I am glad I did because it is an enormously positive book, partly because Jill Taylor's outcome was positive. If it hadn't have been, the book would probably not have been written, naturally. The advice towards the end sounds a lot like what Zen masters and other spiritual teachers say, so that tantalizing link makes it more believable and also makes us wonder about spiritual experiences. The only disappointment I must voice is that there is no real practical advice for those of us who haven't had strokes (and don't want to have one in order to become spiritually advanced!) I know, I know... meditation. This merely proves that there is a link between brain function and spiritual states, and also proves that we as a culture are not there yet, with regards to advancing spiritually en masse. We have a long ways to go and the vehicles that can take us there are not easy to drive!

Jill Bolte Taylor captures my attention with her view on energy fields. A must read! Read on to see what I mean. It may mean a major change in health care.

Early on in her experience with her stroke she mentions feeling fluid, flowing in a field without boundaries. She felt part of the universal energy and it was tranquil, safe and blessed. This is a woman who had diminished or no functioning in her left brain.

As she worked to get help she observed the energy of business cards as she held them. She then, after finding the "right" energy, did she match the patterns on the card to patterns on the phone. She did not recognize them as numbers. Some phone numbers she only remembered as patterns...or rhymes. When her co-worker answered the phone it was his reassuring tone/energy that let her know help was on the way. She could not understand what he was saying.

Help arrives and later a kind-hearted paramedic's energy which is compassionate and comforting transported me to the hospital. She really appreciated his response to her. Arrival at the Emergency room was confusing with all the different energies, some good, some not so. It was difficult with all the noises, energy fields (Bodies) moving about and all the questions. What she really appreciated was when the staff connected with her by touching her gently, making eye contact, speaking slowly and softly. She knew these people were there to help her. Her request of them: "Respect me. I am in here. Come find me".

As her treatment continued it was the "kind" energy she responded to and to their requests. If the staff person was `off energy" she wished they would leave as they were sucking her energy. She didn't have any energy to give anyone as she began her recovery. TV was disturbing when the person in the other bed was watching anything.

After she returned home it was the greeting cards that brought joy and good energies. Her mother, who was her caregiver for several months, hung them around her apartment. They helped her heal. Visits from friends were limited or eliminated as it took too much energy to watch their lips as they spoke to her. TV, talk radio and the phone were off limits.

I find it very interesting her readings on the energies around her. Perhaps you can translate Jill's experiences with energy to your life. What will change? Think now how you will respond to a friend or family member in the hospital. How can you support them if they are in recovery, short or long term? Jill's recovery took eight years. If you are the patient, not just a stroke patient, how do you want to be treated? What requests can you, will you ask of your family and friends?

In the bigger picture I hope that the staff, all staff, of hospitals, assisted living, and recovery centers read this book. May they come to some understanding of the importance of meeting the patient or resident with respect from the energy point of view. If you can't find the energy, the attitude to do this then asked to be transferred where you don't have personal contact. It could change the health care system.

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"The story that follows is my stroke of insight into the beauty and resiliency of the human brain. It's a personal account, as seen through the eyes of a neuroscientist [or brain scientist, which the author is], about what it felt like to experience the deterioration of my left brain [that is, the author experienced a rare form of stroke or cerebrovascular accident in the left cerebral hemisphere of her brain at age 37] and then recover [or survive] it. It is my hope that this book will offer insight into how the brain works in both wellness and in illness. Although this book is written for the general public, I hope you will share it with people you want to help recover from brain trauma [not just stroke patients] and their caregivers."

The above is found in this insightful book authored by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. Note that this book is a record of Taylor's "personal journey" of having and recovering from a stroke. She tells us:

"Every brain has a story and this is mine."

This book divides into four parts:

(1) Pre-stroke:

This part introduces the reader to who Taylor was before she had her stroke.

(2) Stroke:

Recounts the events of the morning she had her stroke. She provides a step-by-step account of the deterioration of her cognitive abilities, as seen through the eyes of a brain scientist.

(3) Recovery:

Here, Taylor shares chronologically her journey to recovery.

(4) What she has learned:

That is, what Taylor has learned about the brain after having and recovering from a stroke.

This book may be unique in that the person who had the stroke was a neuroscientist, neuroanatomist,
or brain scientist. Taylor was able to thus relate the cognitive deficits she was experiencing to the underlying biology.

Therefore, there are also labelled diagrams in this book. (I counted almost twenty.) Thus, the reader is never lost. As well, there is one dramatic black and white photograph.

What I personally found from reading this book is with regard to the cerebral hemispheres. The cerebral hemispheres are the two symmetrical (at least superficially--histologically they are known to be distinguishable in a variety of ways) hemispherical halves of the cerebrum or more generally but incorrectly, of the brain. The right hemisphere is associated with creativity, the mystical, the metaphysical, and inner peace while the left hemisphere is associated with logic and rationality. (Note that I have mentioned some differences--there are more.)

Finally, one appendix to this book is entitled "Forty Things I Needed Most [after my stroke]." I found this very interesting and informative. This information should be shared with anyone who may benefit from it.

In conclusion, this is a unique book authored by a brain scientist who had a stroke. I leave you with the words of "The World's Oldest Teenager," Dick Clark, who suffered a stroke late in 2004 :

"There is comfort in better grasping what has gone wrong and enlightenment for those around you when they grasp it too. None of us needs sympathy; what we do need is a helping hand and understanding. Someone like [Jill Bolte] Taylor provides that, helping a terrible blow become far less so."

(first published 2006; introduction; 20 chapters; main narrative 175 pages; 2 appendices; the Harvard Brain Bank)

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My husband had a stroke in 2003 and had had a pretty good recovery but is always looking to improve. This book was reccommended by his therapist as good reading. He has gleaned some very helpfull information from it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have a good friend who recently had a stroke and this book sure helped make sense of what happened. It also gave us an interesting perspective on how to deal with other people who have gone through a similar situation. I would highly recommend this book.

I am a Neuro-therapist and find this book important for any one working with stroke patients and family members of stroke patients. It definetly explains the situation from the patients outlook and gives one the insight into some of the "strange" behavior from the patients and has the family / clinician take a closer look at what "they" are expect from the patient and what the patient really wants. Very good reading

As a neuroanatomist, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor understands the brain in ways that the majority of people will never understand. Thus, as she experiences a stroke first hand, she is able to give valuable insight to the scientific community as to exactly what took place during that critical time. She writes her thoughts in her book, My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey. Just as valuable, is the fact that she is able to chronicle her steps to recovery, including both the helpful and unhelpful rehabilitation methods. Most importantly, she is able to connect science with emotion in explaining what was occurring in her brain through this difficult journey. In this review, I seek to explain my thoughts and opinions about Dr. Taylor's writing of her experience.

Overall, I feel that this book can offer valuable information to the neuroscience community. It is very rare that a person experiences something like this and knows enough about the brain to be able to correlate clinical symptoms and a scientific explanation. However, I did not agree with the almost spiritual tone Dr. Taylor takes in order to help explain the new way she now lives her life. The book begins by Dr. Taylor explaining about her life before the stroke and then moves into a general overview of the brain and strokes. She identifies various areas of the brain and what they do and also examines the different ways a stroke can occur. The next portion of the book deals with the stoke itself. She details what happened that morning, including what she felt and the thoughts that were going through her mind. She writes about how she was able to call for help and how much thought and effort that took while in the midst of the stroke. What is so interesting is that the entire time this is going on, Dr. Taylor still seems to be able to think clearly and remember what she was thinking. The problem for her was making her thoughts into actions. The rest of the book (and the majority) is spent detailing Dr. Taylor's recovery. She covers everything from basic exercises to help regain function to the more emotional and spiritual side of regaining her life. Interspersed throughout are her thoughts on how best to deal with family, friends, and patients who have suffered from a stroke and are trying to recover. She emphasizes that many of the standard treatment options really do not work and many who care for stroke victims are not properly trained. Dr. Taylor concludes her book by looking back over her experience and reflecting on how much she has learned about herself and how to better help those who have experienced a stroke.

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. I thought it was interesting to see a glimpse of the Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor before the stroke in order to better contrast her life afterwards. It was easy to read and entertaining. I also thought her introduction to the brain was well written. For those who have some idea about neuroscience, the text may seem somewhat elementary, but it is important to remember that this book was written for the general public, most of whom will have very little knowledge of the basic anatomy and functions of the brain. The way she explained the science behind the brain's functioning made sense and I thought her explanation of the various forms of stroke were easy to understand and a very necessary portion of this book. As I finished the beginning section of this book, I was excited to see how Dr. Taylor's tale would continue to unfold.

The next portion of the book, the part where Dr. Taylor actually experiences the stroke, was the most interesting to me. Having the knowledge that she does, she is able to scientifically think about what she was experiencing as it was going on. This provides a very unique point of view that gives the book its appeal. As she is experiencing the stroke she writes, "In that moment I knew. Oh my gosh, I'm having a stroke! I'm having a stroke! And in the next instant, the thought flashed through my mind, Wow, this is so cool!" She is alarmed and fascinated at the same time, which is very interesting to see as a reader.

I did not enjoy the next portion of the book, Dr. Taylor's recovery, as much as the earlier portions. The section takes up the majority of the book and I felt it could be shorter. She makes very good points about a firsthand perspective of rehabilitation offered by therapists and how she feels family and friends can play a big role in helping stoke victims regain their former selves. She also delves into the intensely personal side of her recovery, discussing what she was feeling during all of this time. She writes, "I was, by anyone's standard, no longer normal. In my own unique way, I had become severely mentally ill. And I must say, there was both freedom and challenge for me in recognizing that our perception of the external world, and our relationship to it, is a product of our neurologic circuitry. For all those years of my life, I really had been a figment of my own imagination!" These types of thoughts were somewhat interesting to me, as I feel that her knowledge is valuable in understanding stroke victims around me, but the majority of me felt these types of discussions were hard to read because it was difficult for me to relate to them due to the fact that I do not think in the same way as Dr. Taylor.

My least favorite portion of the book was the end due to the fact that she delves into the spiritual side of her journey. I do not agree with her view and therefore did not particularly enjoy reading this part of her story. She and I have a different opinion on the reason for our existence and why we were put on this earth. Overall, though, I would say this book is a good read for anyone interested in this type of medical nonfiction. Dr. Taylor offers wonderful insight into the workings of the brain and has very valuable advice to offer those who are helping stroke victims recover. This book can be found in bookstores everywhere and I encourage curious readers to pick it up and learn a little bit about how what the brain experiences during and after a stroke.

I'm not sure if Taylor's editor had her dumb down her writing, if she chose to do so, or if, forgive me, her recovery was not as complete as she believes. Having had significant brain injury myself, I don't mean to ridicule her about that possibility, but either way, her writing is still simple. Yes, the content was compelling. Many books can say the same, but without good prose, no such book is worth reading. After all, once we were told what a neuroanatomist is, the "brain scientist" thing was insulting. There are many better recovery books. Here the concept was good; the execution was not.

The author, a neuroanatomist affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, narrates her own autobiography which tells how a 37-year-old brain scientist experienced a massive stroke from an aneurysm, observed her own extensive deterioration and recovery process, and came to understand the brain from more than a researcher's viewpoint. Her audio provides help and hope to any who would understand stroke sufferers and is a top pick for both medical and general lending collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book gives great insight into the working of the brain. It is well worth reading whether or not you have had a stroke. It is a fascinating read and I highly reccommend it

The information contained in this book was very helpful to me and my family. My twin brother has a tramatic brain injury from a motorcycle accident a year ago. The book enlightened us and gave us knowledge on how to deal with the peaks and valleys. She lists 40 things you should know in the back of the book that are invaluable. I highly recommend the book you will use it as a resource.My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

This is the BEST book I have ever read on the subject
of what it feels like to have a stroke!!!!
Author even told us how to treat stroke survivors-what to do
and what not to do.

This is a very "insightful" book - a must read. Well written, highly understandable and uplifting.

An amazing true story by an amazing woman. It also teaches us how to respond to "damaged" people.

THIS BOOK GOT ME TO "STEP TO THE RIGHT" AND DECIDE TO DONATE MY BRAIN TO THE HARVARD BRAIN BANK WHEN I DIE. IT ALSO GAVE ME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW THE BRAIN WORKS AND HEALS ITSELF. IT IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE. IT IS WRITTEN IN LAYMAN'S TERMS AND IS A SPIRITUAL BOOK AS WELL. THANK YOU, DR. TAYLOR, FOR WRITING IT. NAMASTE.

What a great story by a wonderful stroke survivor. Just another person who went on to prove medical experts wrong. I too am a survivor and I felt a lot of emotion reading many instances in Jill's story as some things were very similar. This book should be read by medical people.

"My Stroke of Insight" - at this point in time (2008) - requires no introduction or endorsement for that matter. It's a uniquely executed concept predicated on a too-common-of-a-story that had been beginning to be told. And finally has been...

What I would like to emphasize in this brief review is its unintended explanatory value for understanding meditational experiences, namely, that of ego-less-ness.

As such, "My Stroke of Insight" makes a nice reading companion to James Austin's (neuroscientist too) "Zen and the Brain." Whereas Austin provides a first-person narrative of his meditational experiences through a neuoroscientific lens, Dr. Taylor, of course, narrates the experience of a left-hemispheric stroke through the lens of her education. When read together, these two books offer a rather intriquing "triangulation" of the underlying neurophysiology of the meditational experiences.

"My Stroke of Insight" - as a book - will likely enjoy a long half-life in the market-place of books. My prediction is that it will enjoy an even longer life as supplemental reading to any student of neuroanatomy and/or meditation.

This is a triumphant anthem to brain plasticity!

Pavel Somov, Ph.D.
Author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, Nov. 2008).

I thought that this book started off very well. Her description of the stroke itself and her inner "analysis" of what was happening to her was quite novel. Her frustration at other people's inability to understand what was happening to her was revealing. But then it all seemed to turn into New Age gunk. I am not unfamiliar with left brain-right brain logic vs. intuition (although her explanations are somewhat oversimplified), and believe that there is clear validity for this concept. However, the last chapters (when she describes engaging her right brain) are very repetitive, almost like she really can't clearly describe what it is she's trying to say (not enough left brain?). It got quite boring, and I found myself skimming pages.

The author, a trained brain scientist (neuroanatomist) experienced a stroke when a blood vessel broke in the left (rational, detail and time-oriented) side of her brain. Meanwhile, the right (intuitive, kinesthetic, nonverbal communication) side felt euphoric. That observation may be very helpful for others understanding what may be happening to them, and in choosing the correct reaction.

It took the author eight years to fully heal. At first she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. The ensuing confusion and memory losses were illustrated by her taking 45 minutes to call for help, and inability to speak intelligibly. She also experienced great difficulty understanding what people wanted, and were saying to her. She gave up after several hours trying to answer "Who is President of the U.S.?"

The good news is that recovery began almost immediately. At the end of day two she could roll over and stand up - with support. Her mother became her caretaker. A friend brought over children's books and puzzles - while helpfully, at first they were very frustrating (could not do a 12-piece puzzle). She slowly learned to read again, learn the ins and out of walking (the edge of a sidewalk could be a danger, lines in the middle were not).

Important needs included people talking confidently about her recovery, focusing herself on recovery - its work, and takes one away from serenity, requirement for plenty of sleep for healing, needing goals, and focusing on achievement and not disability. After three months the author learned to drive again, and in six months was able to make a limited professional presentation. However, it took until the fourth year until she could handle additional again.

The downside to "My Stroke of Insight" is an over-focus on feelings and emotion, rather than rational analysis and presentation - undoubtedly because it was the rational part of her brain that was damaged.

Very enjoyable and educational read. This sure takes the mystery out of the mysterious "sudden enlightenment" stories we often hear about.

I learned so much about myself from this book. The author's story is amazing, her knowledge is fascinating, and her ability to put her experience together with her education, and weave this tale of recovery and insight for us... is astounding.

Thank you, Jill Bolte Taylor!

I cannot say enough about how much I got out of this book. The list in the back for supporting someone with a brain injury or illness is worth the cost of the book, let alone Ms. Taylor's story and the great insights about how our brains function in and out of illness.
I have purchased copies for others and recommended it to just about everyone I could. Not long after I read the book (a quick read with great information), a friend had brain surgery; I had a great deal more understanding for her issues because I had read this book. Jill Bolte Taylor is a gift.

This is a beautiful book that teaches you so much about how the brain works. It is wonderful to know that the right side of the brain is joyous and peaceful and that one can tap into that feeling. The author explains in great detail how you might use your right brain more in life, and I've used many of her suggestions. This book also gives you so much compassion for people who are recovering from accidents or illness and having to relearn common behaviors from scratch. It is a very positive and enlightening book- highly recommended!

This book gave me an inside view of what its like to have a stroke and how to treat a person that has had a stroke.

Thanks to Dr. Taylor for writing this rare gem. I can't imagine a more knowledgeable, more vivid account of a malady that strikes so many of our loved ones yet is understood by so few "civilians." You will learn not only about the Taylor's stroke itself but also the brain functions that were affected by it -- not to mention that slippery state called cognition.

If you are in doubt about the compelling nature of this incident as well as Dr. Taylor's storytelling ability, listen to her interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air. It's in the archives. And then read the book.

The archives are at the NPR.org website or (if this link makes it) here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13

Gina Pera, author
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder (September, 2008)

This book has so much important information. I only wish I had that infomation when my father was dying. He did not have a stroke, but he was unable to speak and some of his caregivers were very unaware of his ability to hear and understand the energy they were bringing into his space. With this book, hopefully people who care for those who seem to be unaware will look at their patients with a new eye.

Dr. Taylor amazing story has been adequately covered in over 90 reviews. I would like to suggest an educational aspect of her story, that is, that we can control our thoughts (including our anger) to our great advantage.

From the editorial questions for Jill Taylor:

"It took only 90 seconds for me to have an emotional circuit triggered, flush a physiological response through my body and then flush completely out of me. We can all learn that we can take full responsibility for what thoughts we are thinking and what emotional circuitry we are feeling. Knowing this and acting on this can lead us into feeling a wonderful sense of well-being and peacefulness."

In her book she refers to "brain chatter." The brain is constantly evaluating the current situation and recommending some course of action. We generally act on these suggestions without making a decision relative to selection or disregarding of the thought.

For example, I have found this knowledge of thought selection so valuable particularly with respect to anger. Now, when I become angry and want to retaliate I realize that I can decide whether I want to "go there." I let the 90 seconds past and let it flush out of my system. A sense of well-being and peacefulness indeed.

I recommend that any reader go to Dr. Taylor's website and review her amazing 18 minute video of her of presentation to the TED conference.

As someone who has had a mild stroke, I was interested in reading about it from a neuroscience angle. The author has recreated her stroke in amazing and understandable detail. Her recovery speaks to what people who are recovering from stoke need. The description of the absence of her left brain was very much like the message of A New Earth from a scientific perspective. An intriguing read for anyone.

This book drove me crazy. I immediately took a dislike to the writer because of her tone and habit of unwittingly patronizing her readers.

I thought this would be an interesting book along the lines of Oliver Sacks' works but with the addition of a personal point of view. Unfortunately I found it to be both overly simplistic in the descriptions of how the brain works and those descriptions seemed unnecessarily prolonged. Very little of the author's voice comes through the narrative making the most intriguing aspect of the book relatively "meh".

I bought this book after seeing a video of Jill Bolte Taylor talking about her experiences on Youtube. My only complaint is that I wanted more! I consider it to be one of the most amazing and important books ever written. It should be compulsory reading for all stroke victims, their loved ones and medical personnel. Oh, and probably for everyone with a brain as well. You read it and you are likely to want to go and hug Jill for a couple of hours for being.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor has put together an awesome book! My Stoke of Insight: A Brain Scientists Personal Journey is extremely well written. What are the odds that someone with such extraordinary knowledge of the brain and at the height of her career would have a stroke at the age of 37 and live to share such an amazing journey with us? That, coupled with her talent as a writer is unique and extremely interesting.

This book is written on a level that average people can comprehend. Step-by-step the author describes how she felt, how others treated her, and what happened to her brain and abilities during her left brain deterioration beginning on December 10, 1996 and the 8 year healing process she endured.

The author explains her nirvana like existence when her right brain was dominant while her left brain was healing. Her ability to live in the moment and observe her thoughts in a detached manner to reach a peaceful state as a result of her connection to her right brain is described by many other authors as "Mindfulness Meditation." [See my other reviews if you are interested in reading other books on this technique.]

Enthralled with the story, I could not put this book down. I doubt that there is another book written by a person with firsthand expert knowledge of what it is like to have and recover from a stroke. I am glad I read this book and recommend it to people who are interested in study of the brain or those who like biographical stories of people who not only survive, but grow out of the depths of catastrophe.