Nurture Shock is an audio book that I think all parents could listen to and glean a new understanding of their children. It is not as shocking as it is enlightening. As I listened to Bronson present his narrative, I was taken back to my children’s young lives and thought, as he often commented himself, "I sure wish I had read this book when my children were younger!"

Bronson and Merryman have written from a unique perspective. They have used extensive research and their own personal experiences to put together an insightful dialogue. Nurture Shock could possibly pave the way to a "new look" at our children and how we raise them.

The old school parenting guides have always told us to praise our children and tell them how wonderful they are at all costs. Bronson and Merryman’s take on this is that it can cause an opposite effect that handicaps our children. And, they tackle many other topics in the book, such as race; asking the question... when do we know we are different and how does it affect us socially? Is it a learned behavior or instinctive? Their insight on the importance of sleep is inspirational and applies to every one of us, young and old. College kids could really benefit from this chapter.

The whole book is a wake-up call to all who read it, and we should absolutely pass it along to new parents. It will change the parent "paint by numbers" guides (there is a chapter on that very thing) of the past, for good.

Po Bronson reads the audio with a casual yet precise tone that allows the listener to understand even the most clinical material. He was right to read it himself, as his experience coupled with his interest in the presentation of the material is a perfect combination.

Authors Merryman and Bronson won the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Award for Best Science Journalism, a Clarion Award for Best Magazine Feature, the Mensa Press Award, and the award for outstanding journalism from the Council on Contemporary Families. In August, Merryman and Bronson began writing a daily "Nurture Shock" column for Newsweek's. website. Recommended reading for all new parents!