Awards

• Commended for Books for a Better Life (Psychology) 2009

Overview

Stuart Brown, a physician, psychiatrist and clinical researcher, has made a career of studying the effects of play on people and animals. His conclusion is that play is no less important than oxygen - it's a powerful force in nature that helps determine the likelihood of the very survival of the human race. Sprinkled with anecdotes demonstrating the play habits of subjects as diverse as polar bears and corporate CEOs, Brown and co-writer Vaughan present a compelling case for promoting play at every age.

Full Product Details

9781583333334

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Reviews

aThis is one of the most important books I have ever read. Now, more than ever, we need to think more creatively. Dr. Stuart Brown shows us the way. Without play and physical activity we canat cultivate the skills necessary to handle changing times. For our own sake and the sake of our children, we need to play again with exuberance and give it the place in our lives it deserves. Anyone who cares about the future of our world should read this book. It is a gift.a<br> --John J. Ratey, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, coauthor of Driven to Distraction and author of Spark <br> aStuart Brown introduces us to the importance of play in the lives of animals and humans, its role in developing social and locomotive skills in children, freedom from inhibitions and creative thinking in later life. This important book explores how play can improve - and joyously change - your life.a<br> --Jane Goodall Ph.D., DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace <br> aFor all those who do not play enough--out of guilt, because they don't have enough time, or for any other reason--this is a must read. In a world obsessed with hard work, Stuart Brown's playful yet serious exploration of play is a breath of fresh air. Reading this book can help the reader become happier and more successful.a<br> --Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., author of Happier <br> aStuart Brown has spent his career exploring and explaining what few others take seriously: that play makes us better people and that play makes the world a better place. Play is fun, natural, and necessary; Play is an important and inspiring book.a<br> --David Kelley, Chairman and founder of IDEO andfounder of Institute of Design at Stanford University <br> a[Brown] has collected more than 6,000 aplay historiesa from human subjects. The founder of the National Institute for Play, he works with educators and legislators to promote the importance of preserving playtime in schools. He calls play aa fundamental biological process.a aFrom my viewpoint, itas a major public health issue, a he said. a<br>a Tara Parker Pope New York Times <br> a{Stuart Brownas} thoughtful investigation, Play, written with Christopher Vaughan, makes having fun sound like a well, fun, whether youare dancing, flirting, risk- taking, joking, shopping, painting, or working at something you love. Read this book, then start paying back your aplay deficita a and let the good times roll.a <br>a Oprah Magazine <br> aFinally, a good excuse to goof offa] [Brown] builds a compelling case for the importance of recreation to success and creativity a and insists that grown-ups need it too.a <br>a Discover <br> aQuick, whatas completely pointless and absolutely indispensable? Youall find the answer in the title of the new book by Stuart Brown, M.D.a <br>a Body + Soul

Author Information

"Stuart Brown, M.D. is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and the founder of the National Institute for Play. He speaks regularly to Fortune 500 companies and groups across the country on the significance of play in our lives. The producer of a three-part PBS series, ""The Promise of Play,"" he has also appeared on NPR and was featured in a front-page story in ""The New York Times Magazine."" He lives in Carmel Valley, California. Christopher Vaughan has been a journalist for more than twenty years. He cowrote the national bestseller ""The Promise of Sleep."""

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