Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 4 | Page 48

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 4
APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 4
Book Review: Evolution of the
Learning Brain – Or How You
Got To Be So Smart…
Book by: Paul Howard-Jones
Reviewed by: Kelly Brown, UK Coaching
48
Wow, what a read! As a self-confessed learning
geek, this book was by far the most fascinating I’ve
read to date. I was taken on a learning journey of
how molecules became organisms, which evolved
into the learning brains of our primates, who later
developed into humans as we know now. Over
billions of years, one thing has remained – even a
small organism such as e-coli has memory and the
ability to learn and adapt. How we as humans can
unlock our full learning brain, and the potential of
others, by learning from evolution and forecasting
the future of learning are the primary themes of
Paul Howard-Jones’ book.
Evolution of the Learning Brain has nine
fascinating chapters, each as insightful as the
next. The book is written in a friendly style,
engaging the reader from start to end. Howard-
Jones leaves no stone unturned and tells the
story of how we developed into such intelligent
learners, all from the evolution of a tiny
molecule.
49