THE BRAIN BOOK by Peter Russell. Hawthorne Books, 1979


    PREFACE (pvii-x)

    APPROACHING THE BOOK (pix-x)

        This book has been divided into two sections The first part gives basic information about the human brain, its development and structure. The second part involves specific brain functions and ways of improving them. This book is directed at helping you maximize your abilities.

        The summaries at the end of each chapter are in the form of "mind-maps" --- which are explained in Chapter 13, under the heading of "Note taking:"

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (pxi)

    PART 1 --- DEVELOPMENT AND STRUCTURE (p1-78)

        Inside your head is one of the most complex systems in the known universe that is being subjected to deep-rooted stresses and negative conditioning. There is a growing recognition of the need to free ourselves from such an unsatisfying situation.

        Unfortunately no handbook came with the brain and no one told you how to use it. Instead, you have learned through trial and error which is not always a reliable source of knowledge.

      1) The spearhead of evolution (p3-15)

        [1] Unlimited potential (p5-8)

        [2] The early environment (p8-10)

        [3] Early educational programs (p10-15)

      2) The brain's development (p16-31)

        [1] The evolution of the brain (p19-21)

        [2] The growing brain (p21-24)

        [3] Prenatal psychology (p24-26)

        [4] Can learning occur in the womb? (p27)

        [5] The vulnerability of the young brain (p27-30)

        [6] Nature or nurture? (p30-32)

      3) Ten billion neurons (p33-47)

        [1] Do neurons die? (p34-32)

        [2] Axons and dendrites (p35-36)

        [3] The synapse (p36-40)

        [4] Glia cells (p40-41)

        [5] Axonal transport (p41-42)

        [6] The regions of the brain (p42-47)

          (1) Spinal cord (p42-43)

          (2) The brain stem (p43)

          (3) Cerebellum (p43-44)

          (4) Midbrain (p44-46)

          (5) Meninges (p46-47)

      4) The two sides of the brain (p48-64)

      5) The ever-adaptable brain (p65-79)

    PART 2 --- FUNCTION AND POTENTIAL (p79-167)

      6) The psychology of memory (p81-98)

      7) Association and organization in memory (p99-109)

      8) Imagery and its relationship to memory (p110-122)

      9) Mnemonics (p123-138)

      10) The brain's record of experience (p139-150)

      11) The holographic theory of mind (p151-161)

      12) Is everything remembered? (p162-170)

      13) Note taking (p171-185)

        [1] Key words (p172-173)

        [2] Key words and note taking (p173-175)

        [3] Mind maps (p175-179)

        [4] Why use mind-maps? (p179)

        [5] Applications of mind-maps (p180-185)

      14) Reading (p186-210)

      15) Belief and set (p211-224)

      16) Review (p225-240)

    CHAPTER NOTES (p241-255)

    SUGGESTED FURTHER READING (p256-259)

    INDEX (p261-270)

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