I also enjoyed reading Jeff Hawkins 'On Intelligence' lately. I was interested in how the brain works and how it can do all these magical things since my childhood. I have plunged into several (more popular science) books since then in order to understand better what really happens.

Jeff Hawkins provides an entirely new approach to how the brain works. He defines his theory of the predictive feedback mechanisms that is based on the ability of the brain (that means the Neocortex in this case) the make predictions based on prior learning's about its environment. With this seep he brings together several open issues in neuroscience and also replaces much more complex theories.

His examples and inside into how the brain works collected through 30 years of experience make it a very worthwhile read. I especially enjoyed the first 5 chapters that show the brilliance of that new model. However I got lost afterwards as he tries to apply the theory to the actual chemical and electrical mechanics in the brain. The chapter is simple overwhelming for laymen and too basic and short for the experts.

However the book returns a bit to readability in the later chapters. There he elaborates on the new kind of intelligent machines - but not the one you may expect. He more talks about adaptive 'brains' that have the ability to see and predict patterns in rather random data.

Jeff is a brilliant guy and a sharp thinker. His call to join him in his efforts to unite the brain research under this new theory will surely not be unanswered.

Read the book and you will be fascinated by everyday's actions as you will see how much brainpower it actually needs to make these things happen...