THE SECRET LIFE OF THE GROWN-UP BRAIN The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind

Recent studies paint a portrait of the middle-aged brain as having far fewer deficits than was previously believed. Author Barbara Strauch reassures us that losing our keys or forgetting a name does not portend the arrival of dementia, thus separating normal memory loss from the abnormal. She even reports the good news that middle-aged people feel happier than in earlier years. Narrator Nona Pipes exudes an attitude both sanguine and uplifting, without seeming exuberant. Her comfort with the extensive scientific vocabulary preserves the conversational tone desirable for an educational audio. Pipes expresses the occasional humor with taste and restraint. Listeners will hear ample evidence for Strauch’s conclusions and rejoice that life’s satisfaction peaks at age 65. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2010]