Magnificent Mind at Any Age

It's quite an achievement that this information-filled guide to brain functioning sounds so casual and breezy. Credit Marc Cashman's performance. He's so consistent and professional, so in tune with the author's thinking that most listeners will simply devour the wealth of information and not even think about the talent of the messenger. Cashman is a reasonably positive interpreter, an improvement over the author's overenthusiasm when he lectures or reads. The material explains what parts of the brain cause familiar behaviors, and the complexity of this kind of science is kept grounded with engaging case histories. The resulting mix, along with Cashman's appealing voice, interpretive talent, and restraint, makes this a credible audio lesson that remains engaging for the entire 12-plus hours. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine