Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson, MD

Released: 2010

In Anatomy of the Soul, psychiatrist Curt Thompson teaches us how to manipulate our brains to further enrich mental wellness and relationships with our families and God.

Anatomy of the Soul combines elements of faith and science, and provides us anatomy lessons alongside with incorporating Scripture and prayer into daily meditation routines to alter the brain's patterns and thinking methods.

From a scientific standpoint, Thompson gives us a thorough breakdown on how the left and right hemispheres of the brain correlate (left-brained and right-brained in layman's terms), as well as the differences between several types of emotional attachments. Thompson also explains how trauma and stressful situations presented to us in childhood affects us in our adulthood, and provides examples of how to overcome these barriers using faith as a stepping stool. We learn how to become better "known" to our families and Christ by revealing and discussing our fears about what others may think and perceive about us as people.


While the book's message has good intentions, the writing style is dry and very thick with constant reminders to incorporate God and Christ into the process of altering our brain patterns. This book will most likely not appeal to the masses because the spirituality aspect is laid on too heavily, whereas subtlety would have been more impacting. This concept is similar to some writers' grammatical errors in overuse of exclamation points. One exclamation point here and there is enough to send a message; whereas too many is incredibly overbearing and forceful and takes away from the underlying message!!!!!!!!

Although Anatomy of the Soul provides a very scientific understanding of the inner workings of our thinking processes, brain patterns, and emotions, this book falls heavily into a faith and Christianity niche. Readers looking just for a scientific explanation and who are not spiritual will not benefit from reading this book and should not consider it. Followers of faith may want to tread lightly when choosing this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”