Book Review: ‘The Brain’ by Alison George

Book Review: ‘The Brain’ by Alison George
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Updated 13 May 2025
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Book Review: ‘The Brain’ by Alison George

Book Review: ‘The Brain’ by Alison George

Imagine having a manual for the brain, the remarkable, mysterious machine that powers thoughts, dreams, and creativity, and stands as the force behind human civilization, setting our species apart from all others on Earth.

“The Brain: Everything You Need to Know” by Alison George, published by New Scientist, breaks down consciousness, memory, intelligence, and even why we dream, in a way that is light and easy to follow. It avoids scientific jargon, making it a good choice for readers who are curious about the brain but don’t want to get lost in technical details. 

Along the way, the book asks a fundamental question: How can we understand, and even improve, the way our minds function? 

The book argues that the brain is far more complex than we tend to assume. Many of its processes happen outside of conscious awareness, and even the ways we make decisions, form memories, or dream are shaped by forces we barely notice.

Understanding the brain, the book suggests, requires accepting that much of what drives us happens invisibly. 

One chapter that stands out takes a closer look at the unconscious mind, described as the brain’s “unsung hero.” It’s where habits live and decisions form long before they reach awareness. Everyday actions like walking, typing, or even choosing what to eat are often driven by this autopilot system. The book explores how deeply the unconscious shapes behavior, challenging the idea that we are always fully in control of our actions. 

Some of the chapters are short and punchy, which keeps the pace moving, but this also means the book doesn’t spend enough time exploring some of the topics. It can feel more like an introduction to neuroscience than a true exploration of it. For readers seeking a light, engaging overview of the mind’s mysteries, this approach may work well. Those hoping for deeper engagement, however, might be left wanting more.


What We Are Reading Today: The World at First Light

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Updated 06 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The World at First Light

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  • In The World at First Light, historian Bernd Roeck explores the cultural and historical preconditions that enabled the European Renaissance

Author: Bernd Roeck

The cultural epoch we know as the Renaissance emerged at a certain time and in a certain place. Why then and not earlier? Why there and not elsewhere? In The World at First Light, historian Bernd Roeck explores the cultural and historical preconditions that enabled the European Renaissance.

Roeck shows that the rediscovery of ancient knowledge, including the science of the medieval Arab world, played a critical role in shaping the beginnings of Western modernity.

 

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Task’ by David Badre

What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Task’ by David Badre
Updated 05 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Task’ by David Badre

What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Task’ by David Badre

Why is it hard to text and drive at the same time? How do you resist eating that extra piece of cake? Why does staring at a tax form feel mentally exhausting? 

From making a cup of coffee to buying a house to changing the world around them, humans are uniquely able to execute necessary actions.

How do we do it? Or in other words, how do our brains get things done? In “On Task,” cognitive neuroscientist David Badre presents the first authoritative introduction to the neuroscience of cognitive control—the remarkable ways that our brains devise sophisticated actions to achieve our goals.


Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer

Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer
Updated 04 June 2025
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Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer

Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer

“The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer, which was published in 2014, discusses the cultural differences between people and how they influence business interactions.

American author and professor at INSEAD Business School, Meyer talks from personal experience about fundamental points to pay attention to while having interactions with international business owners, peers, or clients.

She uncovers the meaning behind certain behaviors and suggests solutions to overcome the differences between people to accomplish shared goals.

As a cross-cultural management expert, Meyer discusses the elements that contribute to people’s communication and collaboration, including evaluation, persuasion, leadership, decision-making, and trust.

Using practical examples, she explains how misunderstandings sometimes happen when people interpret attitudes using their own lens, which may not be appropriate when relying on personal background and general understanding of the world.

She writes about people appreciating and focusing on what they find meaningful to them. Some cultures value direct feedback, while others tend to lean toward indirect communication when asked to give an opinion.

In addition, the author provides strategies to overcome differences and find common ground, focusing on the importance of learning and understanding cultural norms, and also being adaptable when an individual becomes part of an international team.

She also encourages readers to understand and respect other traditions to build effective relationships with the world around us.

“The Culture Map” is a guide for people who may be working in multicultural environments and want to elevate teamwork while improving intercultural skills.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant
Updated 04 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant

We are at a crossroads in history. If we hope to share our planet successfully with one another and the AI systems we are creating, we must reflect on who we are, how we got here, and where we are heading.

“The Importance of Being Educable” puts forward a provocative new exploration of the extraordinary facility of humans to absorb and apply knowledge.

The remarkable “educability” of the human brain can be understood as an information processing ability.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’
Updated 03 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

Authors: Tom S. Clark, Adam N. Glynn, & Michael Leo Owens 

Police shootings in America spark outrage and protest and raise questions about police use of lethal force. Yet despite the attention given to high-profile shootings, it is extremely difficult to draw wider conclusions about the frequency and outcomes of police gunfire because there is no systematic and centralized source of information on these incidents.

This pioneering book draws on original data, compiled by the authors, to examine police shootings, both fatal and non-fatal, in hundreds of American cities.