View our feature on Stuart Brown’s Play.

Chapter One. the promise of play
Chapter Two. what is play, and why do we do it?
Chapter Three. we are built for play

Part Two. living the playful life

Chapter Four. parenthood is child's play
Chapter Five. the opposite of play is not work
Chapter Six. playing together
Chapter Seven. does play have a dark side?
Chapter Eight. a world at play

Acknowledgments
Index
“This is one of the most important books I have ever read. Now, more than ever, we need to think more creatively. Dr. Stuart Brown shows us the way. Without play and physical activity we can’t cultivate the skills necessary to handle changing times. For our own sake and the sake of our children, we need to play again with exuberance and give it the place in our lives it deserves. Anyone who cares about the future of our world should read this book. It is a gift.”
--John J. Ratey, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, coauthor of Driven to Distraction and author of Spark

“Stuart Brown introduces us to the importance of play in the lives of animals and humans, its role in developing social and locomotive skills in children, freedom from inhibitions and creative thinking in later life. This important book explores how play can improve - and joyously change - your life.”
--Jane Goodall Ph.D., DBE , founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

“For all those who do not play enough--out of guilt, because they don't have enough time, or for any other reason--this is a must read. In a world obsessed with hard work, Stuart Brown's playful yet serious exploration of play is a breath of fresh air. Reading this book can help the reader become happier and more successful.”
--Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., author of Happier

“Stuart Brown has spent his career exploring and explaining what few others take seriously: that play makes us better people and that play makes the world a better place. Play is fun, natural, and necessary; Play is an important and inspiring book.”
--David Kelley, Chairman and founder of IDEO and founder of Institute of Design at Stanford University

“[Brown] has collected more than 6,000 “play histories” from human subjects. The founder of the National Institute for Play, he works with educators and legislators to promote the importance of preserving playtime in schools. He calls play ‘a fundamental biological process.’ ‘From my viewpoint, it’s a major public health issue,’ he said. “
– Tara Parker Pope New York Times

“{Stuart Brown’s} thoughtful investigation, Play, written with Christopher Vaughan, makes having fun sound like – well, fun, whether you’re dancing, flirting, risk- taking, joking, shopping, painting, or working at something you love. Read this book, then start paying back your “play deficit” – and let the good times roll.”
– Oprah Magazine

“Finally, a good excuse to goof off… [Brown] builds a compelling case for the importance of recreation to success and creativity – and insists that grown-ups need it too.”
– Discover

“Quick, what’s completely pointless and absolutely indispensable? You’ll find the answer in the title of the new book by Stuart Brown, M.D.”
– Body + Soul

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