Skip to main content
Digital Audiobook
Think Before You Think by Adrian Owen

Listen to a sample

00:00
00:00

Think Before You Think

Narrator
Julian Elfer
Publisher
Guardian Faber Publishing
Publish Date
11 August 2026
Run Time
7 hours 1 minute
Format
Audiobook

Not available in your country

We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.

What to expect

From a world-renowned neuroscientist comes a revelatory exploration of the neural processes in our brains that shape our day-to-day existence: how they work, what happens when they falter and how we can maintain them throughout our lives.

'Owen is not just one of our top scientists, but a great storyteller.'
DANIEL LEVITIN

'From jewelry heists to the nature of free will, Owen's exploration of our cognitive powers is both a gripping story and a masterful summary of his pioneering research into the inner workings of our minds and brains.'
ANIL SETH, bestselling author of Being You

***

Why is it that some people breeze through life with the mental clarity of a chess grandmaster, while others struggle to organize their thoughts or even remember where they left their keys?

Our brains are miraculous things. Through a set of processes called executive functions, they drive everything over the course of our lives, allowing us to create and retrieve memories, understand our own and others' emotions, plan our short- and long-term goals, and much more.

Drawing on gripping case studies and cutting-edge research, acclaimed neuroscientist Adrian Owen maps out the architecture of our brains and these executive functions. From encounters with memory champions, athletes who have suffered multiple concussions and patients with conditions such as ADHD, autism, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, he reveals the importance of these functions not only for the potential of our brains but to our very ways of being.

Think Before You Think presents a remarkable picture of both the brain's brilliance and its fragility, providing practical advice on maintaining our executive functions at every stage of our lives. In doing so, it brings readers to a closer understanding of what it is that makes each of us human.

***

'Owen is a wonderful guide and takes readers on a fascinating journey into the human mind . . . Think Before You Think provides a practical blueprint for a brighter future.'
PROFESSOR RICHARD WISEMAN, author of 59 Seconds

User Reviews

No reviews yet.

Details

Author
Adrian Owen
Narrator
Julian Elfer
Duration
7 hours 1 minute
Release Date
11 August 2026
ISBN
9781783353354
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Guardian Faber Publishing
Genre
Popular science, Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience

Synopsis

From a world-renowned neuroscientist comes a revelatory exploration of the neural processes in our brains that shape our day-to-day existence: how they work, what happens when they falter and how we can maintain them throughout our lives. 'Owen is not just one of our top scientists, but a great storyteller.' DANIEL LEVITIN 'From jewelry heists to the nature of free will, Owen's exploration of our cognitive powers is both a gripping story and a masterful summary of his pioneering research into the inner workings of our minds and brains.' ANIL SETH, bestselling author of Being You *** Why is it that some people breeze through life with the mental clarity of a chess grandmaster, while others struggle to organize their thoughts or even remember where they left their keys? Our brains are miraculous things. Through a set of processes called executive functions, they drive everything over the course of our lives, allowing us to create and retrieve memories, understand our own and others' emotions, plan our short- and long-term goals, and much more. Drawing on gripping case studies and cutting-edge research, acclaimed neuroscientist Adrian Owen maps out the architecture of our brains and these executive functions. From encounters with memory champions, athletes who have suffered multiple concussions and patients with conditions such as ADHD, autism, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, he reveals the importance of these functions not only for the potential of our brains but to our very ways of being. Think Before You Think presents a remarkable picture of both the brain's brilliance and its fragility, providing practical advice on maintaining our executive functions at every stage of our lives. In doing so, it brings readers to a closer understanding of what it is that makes each of us human. *** 'Owen is a wonderful guide and takes readers on a fascinating journey into the human mind . . . Think Before You Think provides a practical blueprint for a brighter future.' PROFESSOR RICHARD WISEMAN, author of 59 Seconds

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.