Livewired book cover

Livewired by David Eagleman Summary

Livewired
David Eagleman
4.16 (5017 Reviews)
Neuroscience
Psychology
Science
Technology
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Livewired

Dive into the remarkable plasticity of your brain with "Livewired," where neuroscientist David Eagleman reveals how our minds constantly rewire themselves. When a child with half his brain removed relearns speech, you'll question everything you thought you knew about human potential.

Similar books to Livewired

Start Reading Your Way
Quick Summary8 min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42 min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card7 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun23 min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Key takeaways

1

The Brain: Nature's Most Extraordinary Adaptive System

play
00:00
00:00

Imagine the most sophisticated technology ever created-not a smartphone or quantum computer, but the three-pound universe inside your skull. Unlike computers with separate hardware and software, our brains are "livewired"-constantly reshaping their physical structure based on our experiences. When three-year-old Matthew collapsed one morning and was later diagnosed with Rasmussen's encephalitis, doctors had to remove half his brain. As his parents waited anxiously in recovery, they wondered: who would their son be with only half a brain? The answer reveals the brain's remarkable adaptability-Matthew's remaining brain rewired itself to take over missing functions, allowing him to live a nearly normal life despite such dramatic neural loss. This isn't magic but the fundamental nature of our brains-dynamic, flowing systems constantly reweaving themselves into living electric fabric.

2

Why Your Brain Is Not Who You Were Born To Be

3

The World Shapes Your Neural Architecture

4

Your Body Exists Twice: Once in Flesh, Once in Neural Maps

5

Your Brain Doesn't Care Where Information Comes From

6

Your Brain Can Learn to Control Almost Anything

7

Your Brain Reshapes Around What Matters to You

Explore Your Way of Learning
Livewired isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Neuroscience. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Livewired Summary in 8 Minutes

Quick Summary
Quick Summary
Livewired Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Livewired into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

play
00:00
00:00

Flash Card Mode - Top 7 Insights from Livewired in a Nutshell

Flash Card
Flash Card
Top 7 Insights from Livewired in a Nutshell

Distill Livewired into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Flash Mode Swiper

Fun Mode - Livewired Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

Fun
Fun
Livewired Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

Experience Livewired through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

play
00:00
00:00

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Livewired Summary in 0 Minutes

Personalize
Personalize
Experience Livewired in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

Personalize Mode

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Start your learning journey, now
Download This Summary

Get the Livewired summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.