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Rating: 
Summary: An incredible description of the mind's functioning
Review: As I start this review, I want to say that I'm not a mental health professional. I read this because my psychologist recommended it (I've been dealing with issues regarding my parents). I'd been so used to psychological texts falling into 2 distinct categories: texts written by MD's explaining how everything wrong with you involves an excess of seratonin (or some other chemical) or books written by clinicians talking essentially only about their personal clinical experiences. This book breaks (or combines maybe..?) these stereotypes in a readable, detailed, and very well-supported (~500 references) account of how experiences actually create biological malfunctions. A brief note to other readers who might also not be mental health professionals: While this book doesn't really assume you know anything at all, it can be dense at times. However, Dr. Siegel goes out of his way to make sure that you can follow along by rehashing earlier points that might have been easily confused. Outlining important points in italics, Dr. Siegel proceeds through the entire range of mental development. He starts out with the more basic processes involved in mental functioning (memory, attachment, emotion, states-of-minds) and shows how these systems are shaped in an infant by a responsive caregiver into forming an emotionally healthy adult. He also talks about how mental disorders can develop when these various systems are either inadequately stimulated or actively stimied.
I found the chapter on attachment particularly remarkable. As he explained the various types of attachments and how they were dependant on parental-child interactions (all backed up, of course, by various clinical data), I could actually feel events from my childhood start to make sense. This book should DEFINITELY be read by the hordes of biologically oriented psychiatrists out there. Its also a wonderful read for people who might want some insight into why they've always had problems making friends, controlling their emotions, or repeating the abusive behavioral patterns of their parents. If any of these points sound relevant to you, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: An Understanding of Interpersonal Experience
Review: Siegel writes clearly and accurately. He is passionate about the mind and it's development. This book is written at a college level which means your average reader won't be picking it up. You'll take a grand tour of brain/mind development, memory,attachment, emotion and interpersonal relationships. This is must reading for the clinician and parents who want to do it right. This book deserves 6 stars but there are only five to offer. This was a wonderful read! Kevin Hogan,...
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars despite a few flaws
Review: This book is a heavily research based volume detailing the ways in which parenting styles affect brain development, brain wiring structure with the implications for our lives and civilization. Although it's sometimes a bit redundant and disorganized in presentation, the information is potent and important and the quantity of research staggering. This is truly worth reading - for those who may prefer a less academic presentation, try it anyway. The value of this book is extraordinary.
Rating: 
Summary: Caution
Review: This is a really bad book that it seem good. First of all, If you got some knowledge about neuroscience you won't enjoy at all, don't read this book!! ... You will have to read "what is a neuron?" and this sort of thing. The aim of the book is to integrate many branch of science (like attachment theory, neurobiology, developmental psychology, etc.) in order to explain the mind and it's development. But not so far than chapter two all become a disorder, it seem like Segal has read all about development and neuroscience and that he want to put it all together.. But "put it together" isn't the same that "integrate"!!!
Rating:
Summary: Caution
Review: This is a really bad book that it seem good. First of all, If you got some knowledge about neuroscience you won't enjoy at all, don't read this book!! ... You will have to read "what is a neuron?" and this sort of thing. The aim of the book is to integrate many branch of science (like attachment theory, neurobiology, developmental psychology, etc.) in order to explain the mind and it's development. But not so far than chapter two all become a disorder, it seem like Segal has read all about development and neuroscience and that he want to put it all together.. But "put it together" isn't the same that "integrate"!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellect perspective...
Review: This is a uniquely important book! Maybe those who so vividly expressed their disappointent in their reviews, misunderstood the title! The book is about DEVELOPING MIND, which means about how certain class of brain processes we call 'mind' come into being as the brain rewires itself. Most of the literature seems to be assuming that these proceses somehow come into being and focus on deciphering their meaning and purpose assuming the 'mind' to be like a computer in the skull we are born with which is ready to use and it is suficient to switch it on. But clearly, this less ingteresting frame, since the 'mind' never remains the same as a kind of static 'thing.' What is fascinating, is its continuous development process. The book presents very readable explanatory model. Minsky says that "brains use processes that change themselves[...] The principal activities of brains are making changes in themselves." Siegel explains how this happens and this is a fascinating narration.
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