title: Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
author:  David Eagleman 
description: A stunning exploration of the 'we'<i> </i>behind the 'I'. Eagleman reveals, with his typical grace and eloquence, all the neural magic tricks behind the cognitive illusion we call reality. Jonah Lehrer, authorof<i>How We Decide</i><br /><br />Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness. <i>New Yorker</i> <br /><br />Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you. Kevin Kelly, <i>Wired Magazine</i> <br /><br />A fun read by a smart person for smart peopleit will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings. <i>New Scientist<br /><br /></i>Written in clear, precise language, the book is sure to appeal to readers with an interest in psychology and the human mind, but it will also please people who just want to know, with a little more clarity, what is going on inside their own skulls.<i> Booklist <br /></i><br />Original and provocativeIncognito is a smart, captivating book that will give you a prefrontal workout. <i>Nature <br /><b></b><br /></i>Incognito is fun to read, full of neat factoids and clever experiments...Eagleman says hes looking to do for neuroscience what Carl Sagan did for astrophysics, and hes already on his way. <i>Texas Monthly</i> <i><br /><br /></i>"Although <i>Incognito</i> is face-paced, mind-bending stuff, it's a book for regular folks. Eagleman does a brilliant job refining heavy science into a compelling read. He is a gifted writer." -<i>Houston Chronicle</i> <br /><br />A popularizer of impressive gusto[Eagleman] aims, grandly, to do for the study of the mind what Copernicus did for the study of the stars. <i>New York Observer</i><br /><br />The journey to the heart of neurological darkness is also a kind of safari, and we spend a lot of time taking in the marvelous birdsIncognito proposes a grand new account of the relationship between consciousness and the brain. It is full of dazzling ideas, as it is chockablock with facts and instances. <i>The New York Observer </i><br /><br />Incognito does the right thing by diving straight into the deep end and trying to swim. Eagleman, by imagining the future so vividly, puts into relief just how challenging neuroscience is, and will be. <i>Boston Globe</i><br /><br />Appealing and persuasive. <i>Wall Street Journal </i><br /><br />Eagleman has a nice way with anecdotes and explanationsdelightful. The Observers Very Short List<br /><br />Eagleman presents difficult neuroscience concepts in an energetic, casual voice with plenty of analogies and examples to ensure that what could easily be an overwhelming catalog of facts remains engaging and accessiblethe ideas in Eaglemans book are well-articulated and entertaining, elucidated with the intelligent, casual tone of an enthusiastic university lecturer. The Millions <br /><br />A fascinating, dynamic, faceted look under the hood of the conscious mind...Equal parts entertaining and illuminating, the case studies, examples and insights in Incognito are more than mere talking points to impressed at the next dinner party, poised instead to radically shift your understanding of the world, other people, and your own mind. Brain Pickings <br /><br />Eagleman engagingly sums up recent discoveries about the unconscious processes that dominate our mental life. <i>The New York Times Book Review </i><br /><br />FascinatingEagleman has the ability to turn hard science and jargon into interesting and relatable prose, illuminating the minds processes with clever analogies and metaphors. <i>Salt</i> <i>Lake City Weekly</i><br /><br />A great beach read. <i>Philadelphia City Paper</i><br /><br />Touches on some of the more intriguing cul-de-sacs of human behavior. <i>Santa Cruz Sentinel</i><br /><br />StartlingIts a book that will leave you looking at yourselfand the worlddifferently. <i>Austin</i> <i>American Statesman</i> <br /><br />Incognito feels like learning the secrets of a magician. In clear prose, Eagleman condenses complex concepts and reinforces his points through analogies, pop culture, current events, optical illusions, anecdotes, and fun facts. <i>Frontier Psychiatrist</i> <br /><br />One of those books that could change everything. Sam Snyder, blog<br /><br />Sparkling and provocativea thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions. <i>Louisville Courier-Journal</i> <br /><br />Buy this book. The pithy observations, breezy language and wow-inducing anecdotes provide temporary pleasure, but the books real strength is in its staying power. <i>Science News</i> <br /><br />A whirlwind, high-definition look at the neural underpinnings of our everyday thinking and perceptionfascinating. Brettworks.com<br /><br />Eagleman embodies what is fascinating, fun, and hopeful about modern neuroscience. Brainstorm.com <br /><br />After you read Eaglemans breezy treatment of the brain, you will marvel at how much is illusory that we think is real, and how we sometimes function out autopilot without consciously knowing what is happeningThis is a fascinating book. <i>The Advocate</i> <br /><br />A pleasure to readIf a reader is looking for a fun but illuminating read, Incognito is a good choice. With its nice balance between hard science and entertaining anecdotes, it is a good alternative to the usual brainless summer blockbusters. <i>Deseret News</i> <br /><br />Funny, gripping and often shockingEagleman writes great sentences of the sort that you might be inclined to read to those in your general vicinity. bookotron.com <br /><br /><i>Incognito</i> reads like a series of fascinating vignettes, offering plenty of pauses for self-reflection. Eaglemans anecdotes are funny and easily tie to the concepts he explains. Moreover, his enthusiasm for the subject is obvious and contagious. Spectrum Culture <br /><br /><i>Incognito</i> is popular science at its bestbeautifully synthesized. <i>Boston Globe</i> Best of 2011
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00230.jpeg)
  
  Also by David Eagleman
  
    
  
   _Sum_  
   _Why the Net Matters_  
   _Wednesday Is Indigo Blue_
  
    
  
  ![](Images/image00236.jpeg)
  
  Copyright © 2011 by David Eagleman
  
  All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Pantheon Books, a
  division of Random House, Inc., New York. Originally published in Great
  Britain by Canongate Books Ltd., Edinburgh.
  
  Pantheon Books and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.
  
  Figure on _this page_ © Randy Glasbergen, 2001. Figures on _this page_ © Tim
  Farrell (top) and Ron Rensink (bottom). Figure on _this page_ © Springer.
  Figure on _this page_ © astudio. Figures on _this page_ © Fotosearch (left)
  and Mark Grenier (right). Figure on _this page_ © Elsevier.
  
  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
  
  Eagleman, David.  
  Incognito : the secret lives of the brain / David Eagleman.  
  p. cm.  
  Includes bibliographical references and index.  
  eISBN: 978-0-307-37978-8  
  1\. Subconsciousness. 2. Brain. I. Tit