Reviews

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey

lemmyjoz's review

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book really encouraged me to continue down the path I'm on with exercise. I worry a lot about cognitive decline, and it's reassuring to me to know that physical activity can help prevent that. All in all, this is a great read for anyone interested in how exercise can help your mind.

seanpecoraro's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

mogffm3's review

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4.0

Simplified explanation of neurotransmitters and the neuroscience of common mental health disorders. He may have cherry picked some of the studies regarding the benefits of exercise, but overall, I admired his ability to bring science to a layperson book.

tia_cooper_'s review

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informative medium-paced

4.0

koudiu's review

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

areed's review against another edition

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This book was boring. I didn't find the narrator very engaging. I also already knew most of what was covered in the first two hours. I didn't have another 8 in me. 

annacantcook's review

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

laila4343's review

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4.0

This book is inspirational and has really motivated me to view exercise differently. Instead of viewing exercise as something you "should" do, it's made me really WANT to exercise for the first time in a long time. Doing it for the sake of your brain is much more motivating than doing it to lose weight. And the evidence that Ratey presents is compelling. Exercise combats everything from stress to depression to addiction, which you might have suspected, but reading about the studies really drives it home. Having two grandmothers with Alzheimer's, I was delighted to read all the evidence that exercise helps keep your mind sharp into old age. Some of the technical, science-y stuff with all the initials (GABA, LPT, etc) kind if flew by me, but the point of the book hit home.

sharonus's review against another edition

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informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

amyadair5's review

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5.0

Everyone who is interested in quality of life needs to read this book. The information here is relevant for parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone who is concerned about health and aging. Fascinating. Motivating. Important.