SKU: 8615161781

Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our Imagination

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Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our ImaginationWhat makes a distant oboe's wail beautiful? Why do some kinds of music lift us to ecstasy, but not others? How can music make sense to an ear and brain evolved for detecting the approaching lion or tracking the unsuspecting gazelle? Lyrically interweaving discoveries from science, psychology, music theory, paleontology, and philosophy, Robert Jourdian brilliantly examines why music speaks to us in ways that words cannot, and why we form such powerful

What makes a distant oboe's wail beautiful? Why do some kinds of music lift us to ecstasy, but not others? How can music make sense to an ear and brain evolved for detecting the approaching lion or tracking the unsuspecting gazelle? Lyrically interweaving discoveries from science, psychology, music theory, paleontology, and philosophy, Robert Jourdian brilliantly examines why music speaks to us in ways that words cannot, and why we form such powerful connections to it. In clear, understandable language, Jourdian expertly guides the reader through a continuum of musical experience: sound, tone, melody, harmony, rhythm, composition, performance, listening, understanding--and finally to ecstasy. Along the way, a fascinating cast of characters brings Jourdian's narrative to vivid life: idiots savants who absorb whole pieces on a single hearing, composers who hallucinate entire compositions, a psychic who claims to take dictation from long-dead composers, and victims of brain damage who can move only when they hear music. Here is a book that will entertain, inform, and stimulate everyone who loves music--and make them think about their favorite song in startling new ways.What makes a distant oboes wail beautiful? Why do some kinds of music lift us to ecstasy, but not others? How can music make sense to an ear and brain evolved for detecting the approaching lion or tracking the unsuspecting gazelle? Lyrically interweaving discoveries from science, psychology, music theory, paleontology, and philosophy, Robert Jourdian brilliantly examines why music speaks to us in ways that words cannot, and why we form such powerful connections to it.

In clear, understandable language, Jourdian expertly guides the reader through a continuum of musical experience: sound, tone, melody, harmony, rhythm, composition, performance, listening, understanding--and finally to ecstasy. Along the way, a fascinating cast of characters brings Jourdians narrative to vivid life: idiots savants who absorb whole pieces on a single hearing, composers who hallucinate entire compositions, a psychic who claims to take dictation from long-dead composers, and victims of brain damage who can move only when they hear music. Here is a book that will entertain, inform, and stimulate everyone who loves music--and make them think about their favorite song in startling new ways.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Published: 04/01/2008
ISBN: 9780380782093
Pages: 400
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 8.02h x 5.28w x 0.94d

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SKU: 8615161781

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Devonte Chandoo
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 3
Looks nice but uncomfortable
Size: 7, Color: Champagne, Size: 7, Color: Champagne
Nice tone gold ,can’t stay in it all night not so comfortable, start to burn in between your toes ,true to size for the price could be a little more comfortable
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Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
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Katherine
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 2
Very uncomfortable
Size: 7, Color: Brown Patent
Most uncomfortable shoes I own. The middle part is so hard and digs into your toes making it really painful. I wear a lot of heels and never have I had a pair that hurt this bad.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2026
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Leesy McCorgary
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great fit!
Size: 6.5, Color: Champagne
Great fit! Cute and comfortable.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2025
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Antonia McNeil
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Foxxy Black Heel
Size: 6.5, Color: Black Patent
10/10 recommend. I love Steve Madden shoes. These were actually comfortable. I love the style and quality. The height was perfect for me. I was turning heads. The gold buckle and solid black made the heel pop!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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ShawNae
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 4
Heel girly
Size: 8, Color: Burgundy Patent, Size: 8, Color: Burgundy Patent
The bottom is very slippery and you need cushions to go at the bottom of them. You have to be a real heel girly to walk in them, slightly comfortable.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026

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