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Mastermind

How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

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Mastermind

Written by: Maria Konnikova
Narrated by: Karen Saltus
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About this listen

No fictional character is more renowned for his powers of thought and observation than Sherlock Holmes. But is his extraordinary intellect merely a gift of fiction, or can we learn to cultivate these abilities ourselves, to improve our lives at work and at home?

We can, says psychologist and journalist Maria Konnikova, and in Mastermind she shows us how. Beginning with the "brain attic" - Holmes's metaphor for how we store information and organize knowledge - Konnikova unpacks the mental strategies that lead to clearer thinking and deeper insights.

Drawing on 21st-century neuroscience and psychology, Mastermind explores Holmes's unique methods of ever-present mindfulness, astute observation, and logical deduction. In doing so, it shows how each of us, with some self-awareness and a little practice, can employ these same methods to sharpen our perceptions, solve difficult problems, and enhance our creative powers.

For Holmes aficionados and casual listeners alike, Konnikova reveals how the world's most keen-eyed detective can serve as an unparalleled guide to upgrading the mind.

©2013 Maria Konnikova (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC Creativity Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Detective Sherlock Holmes Human Brain

What the critics say

"A delightful tour of the science of memory, creativity, and reasoning ... engaging and insightful." (Steven Pinker, Harvard College professor of Psychology, Harvard University, author of How the Mind Works and The Stuff of Thought)
All stars
Most relevant  
A very enlightened collection of subject manner. Some parts of the novel seemed a bit redundant and exhausting, but the cognition tests and relevant detailed examples keeps the listener engaged!
I would recommend this to any avid Sherlock Holmes fan.

Well written, well narrated!

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This book have some good ideas but they could as well be communicated in much shorter format, let alone they are not original.
There are no practical examples of how to use growth mindset and increase mindfulness.


The performance quality is excellent.

Weak as a non fiction

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