The title of the book would leave one to believe that it examines and demonstrates the position that compassion and empathy go hand in hand with intelligence. This point was perhaps mentioned once in passing (without support) while the rest of the book tried to describe the evolution of the brain and how certain traumas will inhibit its growth. The title also states that it is a guide to further develop the brain. However, most of the book contains no useful information except for the point that the brain can be further developed by doing new and different activities. This is about the extent of the 'guide'. I was quite disappointed overall and certainly didn't read anything revolutionary or even new.