--- product_id: 499893783 title: "Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read" price: "252.44 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/499893783-reading-in-the-brain-the-new-science-of-how-we store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # Universal reading science across languages 400 pages of deep insight Explores brain's 'letterbox' area Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read **Price:** 252.44 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🧠 Decode the brain’s reading secrets before everyone else does! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read - **How much does it cost?** 252.44 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/499893783-reading-in-the-brain-the-new-science-of-how-we) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Cross-Language Brain Insights:** Learn why the brain processes written language similarly, no matter the script or font. - • **Unlock the Brain’s Reading Code:** Discover how the left ventral visual cortex deciphers written words effortlessly. - • **400 Pages of Neuroscientific Mastery:** Dive into a comprehensive, scientifically rich exploration of reading and cognition. - • **Transform Your Understanding of Literacy:** See how reading reshapes brain activity and inter-hemispheric communication. - • **The Definitive Neuropsychology Bestseller:** Join thousands of professionals who rate this a 4.6-star essential in reading science. ## Overview ‘Reading in the Brain’ by Stanislas Dehaene is a 400-page paperback that reveals the neuroscience behind how humans read. It focuses on the brain’s 'letterbox' area in the left ventral visual cortex, explaining how this region processes written words across all languages and fonts. The book details the neural pathways linking visual recognition to sound and meaning, highlighting how literacy reshapes brain function. A top-ranked, highly rated resource, it’s a must-read for professionals eager to understand the cognitive science of reading. ## Description Paperback Language: English Author: Dehaene, Stanislas Number of Pages: 400 Review: An instructive book - Dehaene describes how an area of the temporal cortex processes the written word. This so called 'letterbox' of the brain is situated within the left ventral visual area. All information about written words passes through this, and it is located in the same area whatever the language of the subjects. The brain is seen as dividing its visual work into categories, with each performed by a different patch of the cortex. Many of the preferred shapes of the 'letterbox' neurons are shapes that resemble letters, symbols or Chinese characters; these are collectively referred to as proto-letters. These may have evolved to help identify objects by being invariant to changes in images. With letters, whatever the type of font, size or colour of the letters, our interpretation does not change. The 'letterbox' is located between an area of the cortex that recognises landscapes and buildings and another that recognises faces. Thus the ventral surface of the brain contains areas tuned to recognising particular types of feature. However, the specialisation of such areas overlaps. Specialisation seems to be at the level of neurons, with neurons of different specialisations intermingled. Visual analysis in reading is followed by extraction of sound patterns and meaning. Nerve fibres project from the 'letterbox' towards other parts of the temporal cortex. At their destinations, separate networks appear to be involved in processing sound and meaning. The left-middle and ventral regions of the left temporal lobe are thought to be specialised in processing meaning. The lateral temporal region appears to be subdivided into regions dealing with the meaning of particular words. Regions near the front of the temporal lobe appear to concentrate on the meanings of words when combined into sentences. It is suggested that areas such as this act as convergence zones for information from the rest of the brain. Something that evolves for one purpose can get taken over for another. Literacy is seen as changing the brain with both an increase in left brain engagement and an increase in activity between the two hemispheres. The 'letterbox' was originally evolved for something else, so reading may be paid for by some offsetting cognitive loss. The only serious criticism of the book is that this interesting question is not tackled in greater depth. Review: The " bible" on how we are able to read - It is a thrilling read for those interested! The book carefully & scientifically describes the miracle of how we are able to read, and many of the variations in our abilities. It is a milestone contribution on how best to LEARN to read. It is a bit dated at this point. Still an excellent basis for learning more in detail and in neurobiological terms. I learned SO much! ## Features - Paperback - Language: English - Author: Dehaene, Stanislas - Number of Pages: 400 ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #56,447 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #124 in Neuropsychology #141 in Reading Skills #245 in Communication & Social Skills | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 443 Reviews | ## Images ![Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714ZJg2HzTL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An instructive book *by S***T on 3 July 2014* Dehaene describes how an area of the temporal cortex processes the written word. This so called 'letterbox' of the brain is situated within the left ventral visual area. All information about written words passes through this, and it is located in the same area whatever the language of the subjects. The brain is seen as dividing its visual work into categories, with each performed by a different patch of the cortex. Many of the preferred shapes of the 'letterbox' neurons are shapes that resemble letters, symbols or Chinese characters; these are collectively referred to as proto-letters. These may have evolved to help identify objects by being invariant to changes in images. With letters, whatever the type of font, size or colour of the letters, our interpretation does not change. The 'letterbox' is located between an area of the cortex that recognises landscapes and buildings and another that recognises faces. Thus the ventral surface of the brain contains areas tuned to recognising particular types of feature. However, the specialisation of such areas overlaps. Specialisation seems to be at the level of neurons, with neurons of different specialisations intermingled. Visual analysis in reading is followed by extraction of sound patterns and meaning. Nerve fibres project from the 'letterbox' towards other parts of the temporal cortex. At their destinations, separate networks appear to be involved in processing sound and meaning. The left-middle and ventral regions of the left temporal lobe are thought to be specialised in processing meaning. The lateral temporal region appears to be subdivided into regions dealing with the meaning of particular words. Regions near the front of the temporal lobe appear to concentrate on the meanings of words when combined into sentences. It is suggested that areas such as this act as convergence zones for information from the rest of the brain. Something that evolves for one purpose can get taken over for another. Literacy is seen as changing the brain with both an increase in left brain engagement and an increase in activity between the two hemispheres. The 'letterbox' was originally evolved for something else, so reading may be paid for by some offsetting cognitive loss. The only serious criticism of the book is that this interesting question is not tackled in greater depth. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The " bible" on how we are able to read *by S***N on 17 November 2024* It is a thrilling read for those interested! The book carefully & scientifically describes the miracle of how we are able to read, and many of the variations in our abilities. It is a milestone contribution on how best to LEARN to read. It is a bit dated at this point. Still an excellent basis for learning more in detail and in neurobiological terms. I learned SO much! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a must read for teachers *by C***N on 6 April 2018* I've read this book in Portuguese in 2014 when I was concluding my paper on graduation. It changed completely changed my view about reading (and also of how my paper was being done). Stanislas is a well-respected scientist, especially on the studies of dyslexia. ## Frequently Bought Together - Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read - How We Learn: The New Science of Education and the Brain - The Number Sense: How the Mind Creates Mathematics, Revised and Updated Edition --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/499893783-reading-in-the-brain-the-new-science-of-how-we](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/499893783-reading-in-the-brain-the-new-science-of-how-we) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-08-06*