Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Journalist Greenwood (Love in the Time of Incarceration) provides a fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of what it means to trust one's gut. Drawing on the work of neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and psychics, she unpacks scientific theories that the brain subconsciously recognizes and reacts to patterns in the world based on past experiences (especially those associated with fear), and therapeutic notions that see intuition as more akin to developing self-confidence and ownership of one's choices. Elsewhere, Greenwood offers advice on untangling intuition from anxiety and other "protective mechanisms" that mimic it--for example, by identifying emotional and physical states (like hunger, exhaustion, and anger) that mask the intuitive voice; recognizing common thought distortions; or using psychedelics or hypnosis as aids. Examining intuition as a culturally informed phenomenon, she also makes incisive points about how the stereotyped notion of "women's intuition" may stem from how women and other marginalized groups developed a close awareness of the moods and emotions of those in power as a survival mechanism. Readers will be captivated. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Human intuition is a complex, unexplored phenomenon. Most people have felt the twinge of intuition at some point. The whisper in your head, the pang in the pit of your stomach, the inexplicable sense that a certain path should be avoided. Greenwood, the author ofPlaying Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud, is interested in how intuition can be defined, the roots of it, and its development for positive ends. She describes herself as an intuitive rather than strictly rational person but notes that intuition is often derided in the modern world, especially because it is usually seen as a female trait. She believes that men can be equally intuitive, although they will often speak of a "gut feeling." Greenwood details her own experiences and conducts a wide range of interviews in her examination. Some neuroscientists see intuition as a form of speeded-up logic, and there are those psychologists who view it as connected to buried issues and observations. It is not always clear where Greenwood is going with her discussion, and the chapters on using psychedelic drugs to enhance intuition and on how psychics can teach intuitive skills don't quite fit with the book's investigative tone. Nevertheless, she makes some useful points about the value of intuition. Intuitive feelings should not be automatically dismissed because they do not meet the social paradigm of rationality, Greenwood says. "Stepping into intuition means giving up the illusion of certainty and confronting what is right now, or the immediate next," she concludes. Those interested in alternative ways of seeing the world will find an engaging read. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
