Discover the New Releases Audiobooks in Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

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Title: Modern Man in Search of a Soul

Author: Carl Gustav Jung

Narrator: Christopher Prince

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-18-11

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 445 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

Modern Man in Search of a Soul is the classic introduction to the thought of Carl Jung. Along with Freud and Adler, Jung was one of the chief founders of modern psychiatry. In this book, Jung examines some of the most contested and crucial areas in the field of analytical psychology: dream analysis, the primitive unconscious, and the relationship between psychology and religion.

Critic Reviews:

"No one who is interested in modern thought can afford to miss this brilliant, literally soul-searching volume." (New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Could have almost been an automated text reader

What did you like best about Modern Man in Search of a Soul? What did you like least?

The text was very interesting but the read was robotic. A some point, I thought I was listening to my mac reading me a book.

a good introductory collection

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone who's seeking a basic familiarity with what Jung was going after. While some basic familiarity with Freud and Addler before hand would be helpful, he puts his references in enough context that they're not required, and these lectures can and do stand on their own.

What did you like best about this story?

In the first few lectures, Jung focuses primarily on the therapeutic process. Over time, we begin to see just how deep his theory goes, and that his idea of "therapy" is nothing less than the completion of man as himself. I found this progression to be incredibly easy to follow and to show how a clinical psychologist can make this move into the philosophical.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Princes other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've not heard any of Prince's other performances. I found him to be a little monotone (ala Ben Stein) and some of the accents weren't where I would have thought to put them, but his pronunciation was clean, his delivery crisp, and despite the somewhat academic tone, I would certainly be willing to listen to other texts he's narrated.

Good material

This is not easy listening but well worth the effort. I found myself taking a break to lighter material and then coming back to it.

WOW ... why wasn't I exposed to Jung much earlier?

Would you consider the audio edition of Modern Man in Search of a Soul to be better than the print version?

Personally yes because I struggle with finding time to sit down and digest something like this without loosing interest or falling asleep. With audio version I can listen while taking a hike, mowing the lawn or doing chores

Who was your favorite character and why?

The biggest thing that struck me was Jung's way of combining spiritual, scientific and philosophical. I LOVE IT! I think this is the closest to an all inclusive approach as I have ever heard, much better than "modern" cognitive behavioral therapy (aka "talk therapy") or a strict medical/prescription approach. The only way to really change is to dig into the subconscious and bring those shadows to light!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

YES, no I did not cry or laugh but the "AH-HA" were nearly constant for me throughout the book. I stumbled onto Jung because it felt like every other author I have been interested in lately quotes or credits Jung in their own work ...

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Title: Willful Blindness

Subtitle: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril

Author: Margaret Heffernan

Narrator: Margaret Heffernan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-27-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

In this controversial and eye-opening book, distinguished businesswomen and writer Margaret Heffernan examines the phenomenon of wilful blindness in all its forms: in history, in business, in government, and in the family. Heffernan takes as her starting point the 2006 case of the US Government vs Enron, in which those in charge failed to observe the corruption that was unfolding before their very eyes, but not knowing was no defence. More recently, bankers and governments were wilfully blind to the looming financial crisis. However, in our own lives, too, we can be guilty of overlooking what is right in front of us, whether in the office or at home - with potentially disastrous consequences.

Drawing on a wide array of sources from psychological studies to interviews with the people involved, Heffernan examines what it is about human nature that makes us so prone to wilful blindness.

Critic Reviews:

"Heffernan's cogent, riveting look at how we behave at our worst encourages us to strive for our best." (Publishers Weekly)

"[U]sing psychological studies and interviews [the author] applies her theory to explain why incidents such as the financial crisis occur." (Daily Express)

Members Reviews:

Fascinating!

Packed with fascinating and relevant stories and science told clearly without being dumbed down. You're bound to have some 'ah ha!' moments. A good 'dipper' as chapters fit well with the daily commute. I found I revisited some sections after I finished the book, just because there's so much good stuff in here. Ms Heffernan's voice is very individual and added to the experience - she does laid back passion well (and I'm not usually enamoured of the American accent for extended listening). If you enjoyed Freakonomics, Predictably Irrational (Dan Ariely), Snoop (Sam Gosling), or What the Dog Saw (Malcolm Gladwell) you'll love this.

Worth a listen but in places it droned right on

Was Willful Blindness worth the listening time?

In parts it was really thought provoking but sometimes it felt a little like I was being told the same thing over and over after I got the point. It is worth a listen though

Highly relevant

Well structured and easy to understand with clear relevance to many areas in life, business, healthcare...wish it was compulsory reading for politicians and policy makers!

Sensational- one of the best books on psychology!

Interesting and inspiring in equal measures.

Some of the points are repeated slightly but that doesn't diminish what is a fantastic book and it's well worth listening to from start to finish

A must read for anyone who values citizenship...

I couldn't stop listening to this brilliantly constructed and superbly researched work. It reminded me that we can and should expect.

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Title: Ethical Wisdom

Subtitle: What Makes Us Good

Author: Mark Matousek

Narrator: Mark Matousek

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-20-11

Publisher: Gildan Media, LLC

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

Since the days of the first primitive tribes, we have tried to determine why one man is good and another evil. Mark Matousek arrives at the answer in Ethical Wisdom.

Contrary to what we've been taught in our reason-obsessed culture, emotions are the bedrock of ethical life; without them, human beings cannot be empathic, moral, or good. But how do we make the judgment call between self-interest and caring for others? What does being good really mean? Which parts of morality are biological, which ethical? When should instinct be trusted and when does it lead us into trouble? How can we know ourselves to be good amidst the hypocrisy, fears, and sabotaging appetites that pervade our two-sided natures?

Drawing on the latest scientific research and interviews with social scientists, spiritual leaders, ex-cons, altruists, and philosophers, Matousek examines morality from a scientific, sociological, and anthropological standpoint. Each chapter features a series of questions, readings, interviews, parables, and anecdotes that zoom in on a particular niche of moral inquiry, making this audiobook both utilitarian and fun. Ethical Wisdom is an insightful and important book for listeners crisscrossing their own murky moral terrain.

Critic Reviews:

Mark Matousek guides us through a revolution in ethical science with deft, thought-provoking style. Ethical Wisdom is a riveting, fun, and insightful tour of lifes meaning and purpose, essential listening for anyone drawn to the query, How ought we to live? (Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence)

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: The Singularity Is Near

Subtitle: When Humans Transcend Biology

Author: Ray Kurzweil

Narrator: George K. Wilson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 24 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-05-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1222 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

For over three decades, the great inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.

That merging is the essence of the Singularity, an era in which our intelligence will become increasingly nonbiological and trillions of times more powerful than it is today - the dawning of a new civilization that will enable us to transcend our biological limitations and amplify our creativity. In this new world, there will be no clear distinction between human and machine, real reality and virtual reality. While the social and philosophical ramifications of these changes will be profound, and the threats they pose considerable, The Singularity Is Near maintains a radically optimistic view of the future course of human development. As such, it offers a view of the coming age that is both a dramatic culmination of centuries of technological ingenuity and a genuinely inspiring vision of our ultimate destiny.

Critic Reviews:

"Startling in scope and bravado." (Janet Maslin,

The New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Not for everyone, but was for me.

I know not everyone will love the book, but I did and I know some others will too. Usually I don't like predictions about the future since the future is so hard to see accurately but I think Kurzweil does such an outstanding job. If statements like the universe will become self aware one day after man biologically merges with our thinking machines bother you, you probably shouldn't bother with this book, but if such statements excite you the book could be worth your trouble.

Great Idea, terribly slow and painful listen

There seems to be two types of people reading and rating this book, the true believers and the skeptics, but very little has been said on the overal enjoyment of the book. First this is a great concept, the idea that through the law of accelerating returns we are getting closer to a singularity, or a massive explosion in technological advancement that will literally combine humans and technology is truly amazing, and if your a tech buff that grew up dreaming of a holodeck this idea is right up your ally. Unfortunately the right person came up with the idea and the wrong person wrote about it. I think Ray is a fascinating human being and true genius, his career speaks for itself and his intelligent and quirky approach to life and health is a book in itself, but I found the book boring. Actually beyond boring because I am only a third of the way through and had to force myself to this point. I wanted to wait and finish before writing a review, but the umpteenth time he through out some computation or algorithmic equation I lost him, he's a scientist and I get it, but the read is a slow boring walk through mathematics which tries to prove ideas that are fascinating with literal repeated boring facts.

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Title: DMT: The Spirit Molecule

Subtitle: A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical Experiences

Author: Rick Strassman

Narrator: Arthur Morey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-30-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 811 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

From 1990 to 1995, Dr. Rick Strassman conducted U.S. governmentapproved and funded clinical research at the University of New Mexico in which he injected 60 volunteers with DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known. His detailed account of those sessions is an extraordinarily riveting inquiry into the nature of the human mind and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. DMT, a plant-derived chemical found in the psychedelic Amazon brew ayahuasca, is also manufactured by the human brain. In Strassman's volunteers, it consistently produced near-death and mystical experiences. Many reported convincing encounters with intelligent nonhuman presences, aliens, angels, and spirits. Nearly all felt that the sessions were among the most profound experiences of their lives. Strassman's research connects DMT with the pineal gland, considered by Hindus to be the site of the seventh chakra and by René Descartes to be the seat of the soul.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule makes the bold case that DMT, naturally released by the pineal gland, facilitates the soul's movement in and out of the body and is an integral part of the birth and death experiences, as well as the highest states of meditation and even sexual transcendence. Strassman also believes that so-called alien abduction experiences are brought on by accidental releases of DMT. If used wisely, DMT could trigger a period of remarkable progress in the scientific exploration of the most mystical regions of the human mind and soul.

Critic Reviews:

"Fascinating and provocative. A remarkable exploration of the boundaries of science and consciousness itself." (Rupert Sheldrake, author of The Presence of the Past)

Members Reviews:

A must-have for anyone interested in anything.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book to anyone I think might read it. Powerful imagery, touching stories, and valuable knowledge of the history of psychedelic drugs are just the beginning.

What other book might you compare DMT: The Spirit Molecule to and why?

This book does not compare well to other works of literature. It has the somewhat dry, detailed explanation of procedures from Dr. Strassman himself, while at the same time encompassing a vast array of well worded vision and meaningful storyline.

What does Arthur Morey bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Arthur Morey is fantastic. I have owned hard copies of this book before, and I absolutely prefer to hear it read by Mr. Morey than to read it myself.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If I were the director of a film based upon the notes contained in this book, the title would assuredly be

Any additional comments?

Check it out. This book will give you a broader sense of not only drugs, psychology, the brain, religion, society, etc.

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Title: Faster

Subtitle: The Acceleration of Just About Everything

Author: James Gleick

Narrator: James Gleick

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-11

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 30 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

From the best-selling, National Book Award-nominated author of Genius and Chaos, a bracing new work about the accelerating pace of change in today's world.

Most of us suffer some degree of "hurry sickness" - a malady that has launched us into the "epoch of the nanosecond", a need-everything-yesterday sphere dominated by cell phones, computers, faxes, and remote controls. Yet for all the hours, minutes, and even seconds being saved, we're still filling our days to the point that we have no time for such basic human activities as eating, sex, and relating to our families.

Written with fresh insight and thorough research, Faster is a wise and witty look at a harried world not likely to slow down anytime soon.

Critic Reviews:

"Fascinating and disturbing, amusing and informative, Faster is an eclectic stew combining history, academic research, and anecdotes drawn from the popular media." (The Boston Globe)

"Nimble, smart, often funny, and - best of all - fast." (The New York Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Slow

no thesis, unrelatably dated, no where close as good as his other works (Information, Chaos.) Just a long rant that things are now (in the nineties) faster than they used to be, with a lot of false narratives instead of evidence

A bit of a Disappointment

Dated, slow, tedious. Not what I was hoping for. A was initially disappointed that I couldn't get hold of the unabridged version but once I started listening to it I realised how fortunate I had been.

If you enjoyed the excellent "Chaos: Making a New Science" and "The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood" also by James Gleick don't listen to this - it's not in the same league.

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Title: Where Good Ideas Come From

Subtitle: The Natural History of Innovation

Author: Steven Johnson

Narrator: Eric Singer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-05-10

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 736 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

One of our most innovative, popular thinkers takes on - in exhilarating style - one of our key questions: "Where do good ideas come from?"

With Where Good Ideas Come From, Steven Johnson pairs the insight of his best-selling Everything Bad Is Good for You and the dazzling erudition of The Ghost Map and The Invention of Air to address an urgent and universal question: What sparks the flash of brilliance? How does groundbreaking innovation happen?

Answering in his infectious, culturally omnivorous style, using his fluency in fields from neurobiology to popular culture, Johnson provides the complete, exciting, and encouraging story of how we generate the ideas that push our careers, our lives, our society, and our culture forward.

Members Reviews:

Ambitious

Steven Johnson has written an ambitious book here. I learned a great deal about innovation and he made me think on multiple levels. Without repeating the book contents noted in earlier reviews, I would say that Chapter 4 was an eye opener for me. It dealt with networking, note taking, and related software. It moves the reader and practitioner beyond Brain Storming for sure. That one chapter is worth the price of the book. If you have read widely in the areas of innovation and technology this book may not be another for your list. If you want a broad orientation in a package that contains many, many ideas, this book may well be your choice. It is well written, informative, and the reading of Eric Singer is excellent. The final chapter is a summary and conclusion that you will not want to omit from your hearing. I really hope that Johnson will produce another book greatly expanding on his ideas outlined in Chapter 4.

Intriguing, relevant, and engaging

For someone trying to invent good ideas, create an environment that leads to them, or just understand how they come about, this book is a gem. It is not a how-to per se, but the analysis is intriguing, fresh, and relevant, and the narration gives it shape and energy, making it a pleasure to follow.

The book brings together a diverse range of views of innovation. This includes those who believe innovation needs walled gardens and a free market, as well as those who believe it needs open communities where ideas can be shared. The book balances these perspectives beautifully. (Note: Much of this synthesis comes in the book's conclusion.)

The parallels with biological innovation are absolutely relevant and used pointedly for helping you to understand innovation in societies. They strengthen the points about modern innovation considerably. (Note: Some of it might seem banal to a biologist. I personally know very little about biology.)

Narration really made the book for me. The book is arguing a point of view, so it's entirely appropriate that the narrator bring some spirit into it. To me, it felt genuine, as if the author were arguing the points himself.

Accents used by the narrator seemed perfectly appropriate to me. I have no idea if they were accurate or not, but since he was quoting a variety of perspectives, it helped make boundaries between voices and it made the reading more engaging.

As a doctoral student in computer science trying to develop something new, this book was helpful and influential.

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Title: Mindsight

Subtitle: The New Science of Personal Transformation

Author: Daniel J. Siegel

Narrator: Daniel J. Siegel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-28-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1402 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

From everyday stress to severe trauma, many obstacles to a full life can be overcome by developing what Dr. Daniel J. Siegel calls "mindsight," our ability to perceive the mind and literally redirect the flow of energy and information within our brains. Through this powerful capacity for insight and empathy, we can "rewire" crucial connections, create dynamic linkages, and open ourselves to relationships in a new way.

Based on thirty years of work with patients and on research drawn from nearly a dozen scientific fields, Mindsight brings these concepts alive through vivid case histories that show what happens when mindsight is missing, and how it can be strengthened in nine essential areas. Listeners of My Stroke of Insight or The Brain that Changes Itself will discover new ideas about memory, emotion, trauma and brain-mind integration - plus a richer sense of their own humanity.

Members Reviews:

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!

Even if you hated your college psych classes, you will love this book. Siegel brilliantly shows--through case histories with his own patients--the connection between what we experienced as children and the physical responses our brains had to those experiences. And how it all adds up to how we act as adults.

With all the talk about right brain/left brain going on these days, this books shows how we become more one than the other. And how you can change that if you need to.

I especially love how he uses mindfulness meditation (nah, don't be scared) to help his patients get in touch with their inner workings. And what revelations come from it!

This book is touching, funny, incisive, and truly beautiful.

Excellent Book, with one small exception

I would have given this book 5 stars except that I found author's voice so distracting. He has a gravelly voice (think Rod Serling) and I kept wanting to clear my (his) throat and therefore found it a bit difficult to concentrate on the content of what he was saying. That said, it was an excellent book for those who enjoy case studies and want to know how Mindfulness is practiced. Other readers found the explanations of various brain functions to be a bit heavy-going. I felt it answered exactly those questions I had been wondering about. I look forward to more from Dr. Siegel, but hope next time he opts for a professional reader.

Best psychological model I've heard of..

Essentially illuminating inner conversations which form personality traits and actions, Daniel's self-awareness meditation based therapy empowers clients to dissect their inner motivation for abnormal behavior. I've never heard someone get more clearly to the root of the problem. Grounded in reality and respectively fact, his case studies are relevant to the point that I have suggested this book to friends with exact same issues.

Lots of information, perhaps too much.

While it's clear to me that the author is quite knowledgable when it comes to the psychotherapeutic and physiological aspects of the topic, my overall experience was one where I found my attention wondering amidst a sea of rationale, stories, descriptions, and advice. The information appears to be solid and Mr. Segel seems like a genuine, caring person with lots of experience and a great degree of knowledge.

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Title: Me and the Orgone

Author: Orson Bean

Narrator: Orson Bean

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

After spending 10 years and thousands of dollars for psychoanalysis, actor Orson Bean was divorced, depressed, and dissatisfied with life. Then he discovered medical orgone therapy, a unique method of treatment developed by Wilhelm Reich, M.D. This therapy is centered on the concept that sexual feelings must be integrated with tender feelings of love for an individual in order to achieve complete sexual satisfaction. One must be free of emotional and physical blocks in order to experience such feelings.

Here is the candid, deeply personal story of Orson's experience with orgone therapy and how it triggered his own sexual revolution. Almost immediately, he realized that something unusual and quite miraculous was happening. Orgone therapy transformed his sexual response, his relationships, and his entire life, bringing him a "second chance" at the best life has to offer.

Members Reviews:

Three Stars

interesting read.

Four Stars

Everything fine!

Five Stars

Great !

book was interesting

I wish I could give you a complete review of this audio book, but the vendor sent only 2 of 3 discs. I don't recall the vendor and I did not check the package before I threw out the info. The delivery was delayed for a very long time.(this has never happened to me with any other delivery through Amazon)

But, getting to the book, it was a very interesting journey through the author's therapy and beautifully narrated by him. I will have to buy the printed version to learn complete the outcome. Orgone therapy, as explained, is intriguing and makes perfect sense.

I love it

what a journey - yes I liked the book

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Title: IQ

Subtitle: How Psychology Hijacked Intelligence

Author: Stephen Murdoch

Narrator: Bill Wallis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-20-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Psychology & The Mind

Publisher's Summary:

In this fascinating, provocative book, Stephen Murdoch explains the turbulent history and controversial current uses of intelligence testing

Members Reviews:

Increase the listening speed for a better experien

I noticed that if you increased the listening speed to 1 and 1/2 times the normal speed the narrator is actually not sounding too bad.

Outstanding, provides masses of food for thought.

Disregard reviews from people that have not actually listened to the whole thing! This book stands any ideas you had about IQ tests on their head. I have now listened to this book 2 times, and intend to listen to it many times more, despite it's length.

The only thing I can say is get this book, there are too many things in there to list in a short review like this. It is cheap for the insight it gives to the whole concept of IQ tests and the way they have historically been used to provide 'evidence' to support eugenics, racism and dodgy social policies. The book describes various ways IQ tests have been used as a tool for politics and bending social history. That includes our 11 plus tests designed to favour children from better off families.

The book provides many 'oh my god' moments. Read it and see. You will never trust an IQ test again!

IQ is good (the book that is, not necessarily the measure)...

Extremely interesting and thought provoking critical analysis of the historic and current uses and misuses of IQ tests. Very well read too.

Intelligence testing

A detailed history of intelligence testing, beginning with Darwin?s cousin, Sir Francis Galton, and his hereditability of intelligence theory, to Cyril Burt and the 11-plus and the popular misconceptions in-between that attempt to quantify intelligence.

The author clearly dislikes intelligence tests, and rightly so. He explains how IQ tests have been used to determine ?feeblemindedness?, to accept or reject in migrant workers and for ethnic cleansing. Clearly, intelligence testing shares its bed with eugenics, which in turn, attempts to manipulate natural selection for societal and economic means.

Over the years, general intelligence (g) was considered, by psychologists, to be an innate gift; therefore, there was no point in trying to educate pupils who were ?to the left of the bell curve?. For example, after WWII, primary schools streamed pupils from A-D in order to provide child centred learning. Pupils in the upper streams would be invited to take the 11-plus and those in the lower steams would not. D stream pupils would be sent to poorly equipped secondary modern schools, whilst their more able counterparts who passed the 11-plus would enjoy an academically rich education in grammar schools. Therefore, grammar school pupils would more often climb the social ladder to gain white-collar jobs than their poor state educated counterparts.

Stephen Murdoch describes IQ testing as a two-way discrimination process: negative discrimination being what the Nazis did to those they considered inferior, and the way positive discrimination creams off those ?on the right side of the bell curve? for the better schools and universities.

I think Murdoch is too kind; IQ testing belongs in the dark ages. It does nothing more than identify those who have learnt from their unique environments and grades them accordingly.