It was one of the most bizarre episodes in the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland: the construction of a factory in West
...On the eve of his fortieth birthday, Gary Marcus decided to fulfill a lifelong dream & learn to play the guitar. He had tried many times before failing, miserably. This time, he decided to use the tools of his trade as a cognitive scientist to see if he might succeed. In a quest that takes him from Suzuki lessons to the feet of the guitar gods, Marcus discovers how to practise efficiently; how to find the right teacher, no matter what you re learning; what middle-aged brains do better than teen-aged ones (witnessed through the performance of his first b&, Rush Hour); how to manage stage fright; how music changes the brain; & much more. He also brings insight into the question, is the pursuit of a passion reward enough? A groundbreaking exploration of the allure of music, his journey is also an empowering tale of your mind s ability to grow throughout life.