My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

I heard Jill Bolte Taylor interviewed on NPR and knew I had to get this book for my mother. Mom has had severe verbal aphasia for 5 years, which means she can understand you and she knows what she wants to say, but cannot verbalize well. However, her abilities have improved a lot in just the past 90 days. She finds this book inspiring because the author completely recovered from her stroke in about 8 years.
I ran through a few of the revelations from the author with Mom. For example, she said that her stroke made her feel more connected with other people, as if we were all liquids instead of separate solids. "Yes!" Mom agreed heartily.
She also said that as the stroke occurred, aspects of it were actually enjoyable--e.g., losing the verbal imperative, thinking visually, etc. Another "yes" from Mom.
Highly recommended.
P.S. Mom's abilities have continued to improve. Last week she told my Dad, "You need to call [our daughter] and remind her about her 9:00 appointment in the morning!" She and Dad then laughed and laughed with joy. He called me and said, "Your mother has just uttered her most complex sentence in 5 years!"

"My stroke of insight" was not only your insight, Jill, it was insightful and life-changing to us.
Great time to live. Great people to enlighten us on our changing and evolving path.

This book is not about strokes in general, but rather about this scientists experience. She writes very clearly and paints a wonderful picture of what was going on in her head during the stroke and recovery. It really gave me a better understanding of what problems there are with a left side stroke and why, and inspiration of the powers of the brain's ability to recover.

The book, 'My Stroke of Insight' by Jill Bolte Taylor is a remarkable read. It contains information everyone should know who might sit with or care for a stroke victim or anyone suffering from a brain injury. The chapter, 'Simple Science' is like taking a course in 'The Brain 101' as we are given a look at the workings of an organ that defines who we are. I recommend this book to the inquisitive and to inquiring minds.

Billy R. Boggs
A Critical Reader

Dr Taylor shows her courage to break convention and formal ideas about this topic. Her experience in full view, with their emotional and philosophical content included. Not only was she inspired by her own journey, but she shares the inspiration directly with the reader.