The Dyslexic Advantage (Revised and Updated)

By: Brock L. Eide MD MA, Fernette F. Eide MD

Narrated by: Tristan Morris

Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide use their impressive backgrounds in neurology and education to debunk the standard deficit-based approach to dyslexia. People typically define "dyslexia" as a reading and spelling disorder. But through published research studies, clinical observations, and interviews with dyslexic individuals, the Eides prove that these challenges are not dyslexia's main features but are instead trade-offs resulting from a different pattern of brain organization and information processing that has powerful advantages. For example, dyslexic adults routinely outperform their non-dyslexic peers in studies on three-dimensional spatial reasoning and divergent creativity. Approximately twenty percent of the US population has dyslexia, and The Dyslexic Advantage shows how each one is predisposed to powerful skills called MIND strengths (Material, Interconnected, Narrative, and Dynamic Reasoning), leading them to possess incredible pattern detection, divergent thinking, episodic memory, problem solving, and prediction abilities.

The revised and updated edition of The Dyslexic Advantage includes eighteen rich new profiles of remarkable individuals with dyslexia. Blending personal stories with hard science, this book provides empowering advice on how to identify, understand, nurture, and enjoy the strengths of the dyslexic mind.

©2023 Brock L. Eide and Fernette F. Eide (P)2023 Tantor

Inspiring and excellent resource

Excellent resource packed with fascinating scientific findings that are easy for the layperson to understand. I read the first edition of DA with a highlighter and thought I knew the information quite well, but this updated edition has so much more. The revisions demonstrate noteworthy advances made in the understanding of dyslexia itself (significant thanks to the work of the authors) and how important it is to cultivate and appreciate dyslexic minds in this world.

The Dyslexic Advantage is inspiring, interesting and very easy to listen. (Though I need to get out my highlighter again and take notes in the hard copy as well--so much to learn!)

Highly recommended for those who are interested in neuroscience and especially anyone who experiences the advantages of dyslexia in their daily lives.

The stories

The book explains my life experience, both the struggles and the advantages. While I failed many things when I was young, and more as I progressed through life, the resilience I gained with the love and support of my parents, helped me to get up again and again. Today I know being dyslexic is a huge reason for my success.

Excellent view of of dyslexia REALLY is

This was an excellent scientific text to explain the anatomical and physical possibilities of dyslexia in current science, but also gave tear jerking statements and personal accounts of what it really is to be and live someone with dyslexia

This hit home

Like the discussion on strengths and challenges. I wish it had most on the physiological brain differences.

A must listen for anyone w/ a dyslexic in their lives 📚

Not sure how I missed this book 12 years ago with its first iteration, but I am so glad that I ran across this updated version as a random Audible recommendation. I instantly downloaded it and devoured it. As a 50+ dyslexic MD/PhD I have never considered my dyslexia as a handicap, rather as an advantage. With the advent of word, processing and other technological innovations that allowed me to circumvent the few downsides of dyslexia, I have always embraced the condition as my “secret tactical advantage“. We dyslexics find a way to adapt and thrive (a theme reiterated timing again in this book). I agreed with nearly every statement, sentiment, and experience expressed in the text. Although the dry scientific content can sometimes be difficult to connect with an as audiobook (and in all fairness the narrator does little to alleviate the tedious monotone of the narration), this book is worth the effort for anyone touched by the gift of dyslexia (personally or by proxy). My wife listened to chunks of the audio as I consumed this title and repeatedly commented how accurate the narrative was in describing her perception of me. I do not believe this book is for “everyone“, while we dyslexics already intrinsically know the truth about ourselves, this book would be excellent for parents/teachers/spouses of those with dyslexia.