Mind, Memory, and Thinking

Here are the best of the best from my library of brain, mind, memory, and thinking books.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell This little gem covered a bit of sociology and cognitive psychology that I haven’t learned much about, yet. Some very useful tips on how people think and react. The book was done well and who couldn’t use a few more great insights on how the world works? Malcolm is good at what he does.
Frogs Into Princess by John Grinder and Richard Bandler This is a transcript of training workshops conducted by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, the “collaborators” that put together Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). It was very interesting to be virtually sitting in on their earlier work in this book. A good bit of lessons are available and you get to see them directly applied. Worth a look, but not your standard read.
Monsters and Magical Sticks: There is No Such Thing as Hypnosis by Steven Heller Have you ever learned something without really knowing you’re learning something? Whoa ho ho ho is this the book for you! This is a fine example of Ericksonian Storytelling and I’m sorry to tell you, but if you read this book …you will learn something useful… whether or not you realize it right away! Too cool, interesting, useful, and revealing to put into words… especially when this book helps you come to realize that words are just that – symbols that don’t mean much, or better yet, mean a lot of different things to every single person. Don’t believe hypnosis exists? HA! You’ve been hypnotized to believe that, so there! At least read the 2 page Chapter II. Amazing work. This Dr. has good intentions, was very well versed in the field (deceased), and really is “The Wizard”. Read it and be changed…NOW.
My Voice Will Go with You: The Teaching Tales of Milton H. Erickson by Sidney Rosen Erickson’s stories need to be read and pondered all by themselves first. Then, if you must, go back and read Mr. Rosen’s commentary. Don’t get me wrong – Mr. Rosen’s comments are insightful… but you run the risk of overwriting or modifying your own learnings by tinting your mind with his interpretations. Read Erickson’s stories 1st. In a few months, come back and re-read the whole book page-by-page, as-is. You’ll thank yourself. :) My voice will go with you, it was a very light snow, I like the way you scratch a hog, I know that you’re thinking about trains, and did you realize that every blade of grass is a different share of green?
Sleight of Mouth: The Magic of Conversational Belief Change by Robert Dilts Robert isone of the Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) figures out there that folks have learned to pay attention to and this book is one of the reasons why. Developments in this technology have shown some of the ideas here are not complete, but they are still very useful. A good book with some great insights into communication and the workings of people.
The Rainbow Machine: Tales from a Neurolinguist’s Journal by Andrew T. Austin Oh boy, Andrew is a hoot! He’s been run through the ringer and has the stories to tell. And they’re not just entertaining stories, they’re stories that’ll help change your life. This is one of those books I really enjoy. Learning without knowing I’m learning – it’s like a literature microwave. Great work, good lessons, entertaining read, and well worth it.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell This was a nice little trip through “what if” and “did you realize that” lane and I enjoy these trips on occasion. Plus, the idea of a maven, connector, and salesperson doing what they do to bring change about in the world wasn’t something I consciously considered before. Nice bonus! This is some fun brain candy – I’ll have to find the main meat of my meal elsewhere, though.