Play Audiobook By Stuart Brown, Christopher Vaughan MD cover art

Play

How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul

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Play

By: Stuart Brown, Christopher Vaughan MD
Narrated by: Michael Hinton
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From a leading expert, a groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our happiness and intelligence throughout our lives.

We've all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming, and fun. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play. Particularly in tough times, we need to play more than ever, as it's the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solutions, and remain optimistic.

A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.

©2009 Stuart Brown (P)2017 Tantor Biological Sciences Creativity Creativity & Genius Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Psychology & Interactions Social Sciences Health Inspiring Mental Health Thought-Provoking Play Brain

Critic reviews

"Sprinkled with anecdotes demonstrating the play habits of subjects as diverse as polar bears and corporate CEOs, Brown and co-writer Vaughan present a compelling case for promoting play at every age." ( Publishers Weekly)
Insightful Research • Valuable Life Lessons • Warm Voice • Scientific Evidence • Powerful Concepts • Gentle Expression
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terrific material encouraging and accessible. play through life or wither and fade. a book which inspires action and health.

play for life!

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I love the way all the research and examples of both animal and human play are tied together but there were aspects that were repetitive. I would have liked to see more information on the different play styles and how to be more aware of your play style as an adult and recognizing it in children.

Great information but little repetitive and slow

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great read, kept me engaged the entire time. I will be evaluating my past and current play!

very informative

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Absolutely everyone needs to listen to this! It’s so important for everyone! I can’t recommend it enough!

Amazing

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The title tells you what it is about. The book is for everyone because everyone has or does and should play.

Fascinating and important

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this book is based on how everybody should play and this book has taught me so much I loved it

Amazing book

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I loved this book. remembering to play as an adult is so important. play to be happy, play to learn, play to be creative, and play to express self joy.

play play play

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The narrator sounds like he has a cold. Really stuffy nose.

If that is their normal voice I’m sorry!

Great self help!

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I'm in Education, this book was part of a departmental topic. Having no time to sit down and read, I purchased it to listen during my weekly commute. WELL WORTH the time and money. I so enjoyed the information. The topic is not only timely, it's necessary. There were many gems that resonated with me.

Required reading for work...

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I work as a clown instructor and felt this book did a good job of introducing ideas of play to a new audience. It didn’t overstay its welcome and was very conversational. My only criticism is that almost every example of adults who brought play into their lives were clearly people of financial means. The idea of buying a horse won’t really speak to someone struggling to pay bills, ie most people. A small blind spot but it exists through the entire book. Otherwise an easy, fun listen

Good intro to ideas of play

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