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

A clearly presented, detail rich book on evolutionary valence of play. Brown examines the issue from a variety of perspectives: neural plasticity, social norming, existential meaning. Brown offers an excellent blueprint for leveraging meaning, productivity, quality of life and wellness through incorporating play. The book is rich with psychological, social and occupational implications. Brown - an erudite author and an effective writer - is able to quickly introduce complex empirical findings and scientific observations about significance of play without losing the playfulness of narrative. Readers interested in concepts of "flow" (Czikszentmihalyi) and "lateral thinking" (de Bono) will find this book of particular interest. Pavel Somov, Ph.D., author of "Eating the Moment" [..]

Brown & Vaughn have written an excellent book. While it is fairly light reading it provides plenty of references for the value of play for those who require the reinforcement of rigorous studies. It provided many good suggestions for those who want to integrate more play into their lives. It also showed how upset "serious" people can get about this foreign notion that play is good for you. So read it for yourself and don't tell the "serious" people what you're doing!

I picked up this book because I felt I needed more "play" in my life. And I am glad that I did. Dr. Brown explains the importance of "play" in our lives; not just in our personal lives but also in our work lives. Dr. Brown has done extensive research and provides actual case stories which provide insights in living a successful and productive life. "Play" in our lives bring fulfillment and joy in being who we are and what we do. I recommend this book to anyone who is trapped in a life of all work and no play!

I am currently reading this book. It is a wonderful addition to other books on play. However, very different as this focuses on all types of play for adults & animals alike. I recommend this to anyone that still has a playful side within & can remember the child that has grown!

This is one of the best books I have read recently. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! I've always believed "play" is the key to a successful life. The successful people I know enjoy playing( including my husband who is "the Kinesthete", "The Explorer", "The Collector", "The Artist/Creator", and "The Storyteller" according to Dr. Brown's play personality) even though they are busier than average Americans. On the other hand, the people who have rigid attitude towards "play" (they even make family members feel guilty about it!) are not as successful as above, even though they "earned highest grades at the best schools". This contrast becomes even more prominent when we become middle age. People who enjoy playing are not only more successful, but also happier. Dr. Brown explains why this "'nonproductive activity can make one enormously more productive and invigorated in other aspects of life" with scientific evidence and full of interesting anecdotes. It will persuade you not to feel guilty pursuing your dream or enjoying your life because it will make you and your kids more successful and happier.