Loved it!

Found myself exclaiming out loud through out this book. Have already recommended it to others.

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great scientific points

this book is thought provoking and sometimes made me lose faith in science littérature or neurotrash. it is a shame about the performance . the author is sarcastic and witty in a very British way but the ''monotone'' made the message sometime difficult to focus on. Great content is you are a parent of young girls.

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An interesting journey to not prove a negative

A very interesting delve into the history if psychology and neurology, the author lays out the history of the ideas, science and movements which promoted the ideas of sex differences in the brain.

The history and exploration of the science are well done, though the pattern of "so this also is not evidence of sex differences in the brain" becomes a bit stale (predictable but necessary given the subject matter).

The cultural commentary is particularly interesting - as a man there were some light bulb moments about how I want to teach my future children about the world. Definitely worth a listen.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent writing and analysis!

Reveals implicit biases in the field of neurological research. Overturns loads of pernicious gender myths.

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Thought provoking and informative

Contains recentbrain science research information. Debunks most myths about correlation of sex with ability, brain features, preferences.

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3 people found this helpful

Great continuity from Cordelia Fine’s books

At times it got technically tedious, but that is necessary to prove a point and direct to the appropriate research. At times it got a tad bafflingly funny but that is needed to be inside enough to the joke. At times it got you the much needed “a-ha!”moment. An always it keeps the steady, structured, solid build of a scientific, if popular, stance of a worthy brain science book. Well done!

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2 people found this helpful

An in-depth look at the gendered biology of brains

Fantastic book and a great listen during commutes and house tasks! Further inquiry would probably require a second reading, though, and I have heard that much more information (that critics claim to often go against Rippon's arguments) is given in the form of footnotes. I do not believe this version narrates the footnotes at all, which is a shame. Hence 4/5 for performance.

The "story" - or, rather, the argument - is compelling, but it would benefit from discussing opposing literature in a more neutral tone. Rippon frequently dives into critique too soon and gives no space for entertaining differing viewpoints to data. She also uses the argument of brain plasticity to explain away any differences found between male and female brains, even though I do not recall her ever overviewing the key literature relating to it. Hence the mentions of plasticity feel somewhat flat; Rippon does not give room for the reader to decide for themselves whether they are convinced by plasticity is being a valid explanation or not. I also wish Rippon had touched on the topic of brains in transgender and gender non-conforming identities, but I suppose in the current political climate it was the right choice to tread carefully.

Overall, the book is a very good starting point to the topic. Listening to this book has certainly made me interested in looking further into the difference, or lack thereof, between male, female, and sex/gender non-conforming brains.

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Good

Loved it, but it could have been shorter and a little bit more organized. It's a little bit disappointing that Rippon didn't go further in some areas, but all in all a very comprehensive book, very helpful in understanding the way science works.

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Feminist propaganda

I really tried, however, the narrative loses any credibility due to its incessant prerogative to frame everything as a them v us. Bore off.

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8 people found this helpful

Dull presentation of an interesting subject

I had high hopes for this book as it is an area of great interest to myself - I've read several books on similar topics. But this one was unbelievably dry. A lacklustre voice droned on in such a way that I struggled to pay attention, so uninspiring was the subject matter and delivery. I tried jumping to new chapters but the monotony continued. Eventually I abandoned the book :(

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8 people found this helpful