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Book Review of Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain

Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
annapi avatar reviewed on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


It took me a long time to finish this, because there are times I can only take science in small doses. But it is a wonderful collection of anecdotes on the effect of music on the brain, and particularly in neurologically impaired patients. Oliver Sacks has a way with words that makes the science easy to understand. What I found particularly fascinating was the revelation that different parts of the brain are responsible for the different aspects of music, which explains how some people can have perfect pitch and musical talent, but be unable to appreciate the emotional effect of music, and vice-versa. Also extremely interesting are the examples of music therapy on patients with dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinson's, and a host of other neurological conditions. Throughout the book, his love for music is clear, and he shows us just how powerful it can be.