lanid's review against another edition
informative
reflective
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Medical content, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, and Car accident
anners222's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
kristidurbs's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look through the lens of psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology at seven unique individuals that deal with -- even excel with -- what are perceived as handicaps. Colorblindness, Tourette's, and Autism, to name a few, beset skilled artists, surgeons, and scientists alike. The most interesting tale for me was about Temple Grandin, as I was already familiar with her contributions to animal science.
elfsteel's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
interesting book, with some interesting stories and philosophy in it, but many of the medical and psychological theories Sacks espouses are now considered outdated or even offensive. this datedness is worth keeping in mind when reading.
artemisgkinakou's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
As with every essay-style book there were highs and lows. Overall enjoyed it but had the overall impression of mid book at the end not just in its quality but also in the content. Tried to walk the line between scientific, fact ridden writing and a more personal, almost biographic storytelling but for me it didn't succeed. I feel like it should’ve committed to one of the two, preferably the first one.
seeceeread's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.25
💭 "The tests also gave me a feeling of disquiet, as if I has spent days reducing Stephen to defects and gifts and not seeing him as a human being, as a whole."
Seven case histories blend firsthand observations and literature reviews on concepts, theories and precedents to elucidate the person featured. An artist loses his ability to perceive color. A mystic is institutionalized for perpetual beginner's mind, an inability to form new long-term memories. A surgeon with Tourettes shows how achieving professional flow arrests his condition. A man's retinas are partially restored after a lifetime of blindness; the dramatic change triggers a cascade of issues that leads him to further loss - of sight and more. A man recreates the Italian village that nurtured his boyhood, from uncannily accurate memories. A boy is a prolific artist with a signature style. And Temple Grandin welcomes the author to a few days of her life and musings.
Sacks' expansive reading and ability to both link and challenge disparate ideas impress me. Yet I found quick glimpses into subjects to be dry. For instance, Solomon's 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 is more compelling. That book is also less committed to pathologizing.
Sacks is trained in a medical model and won't let readers forget it. I often rewrite or replace problematic diction as I read, such as ableist terms. For example, "blind" might become "ignorant" or "inattentive." "Deaf" might have been chosen instead of the more appropriate "callous" or "unmoved" and then I mentally swap. Sacks offers little reprieve from terms like "retarded," "normal," and "deficit." I'm sure on some level his field treats this language as objective and certainly he seems to primarily aim to speak to his professional peers (folks who would share his understanding of these). On the other hand, he returns more than once to unease with the paucity of tools and terms at his disposable to celebrate or commune with the person in front of him ... and I felt I was doing more work than he did to address this tension.
Seven case histories blend firsthand observations and literature reviews on concepts, theories and precedents to elucidate the person featured. An artist loses his ability to perceive color. A mystic is institutionalized for perpetual beginner's mind, an inability to form new long-term memories. A surgeon with Tourettes shows how achieving professional flow arrests his condition. A man's retinas are partially restored after a lifetime of blindness; the dramatic change triggers a cascade of issues that leads him to further loss - of sight and more. A man recreates the Italian village that nurtured his boyhood, from uncannily accurate memories. A boy is a prolific artist with a signature style. And Temple Grandin welcomes the author to a few days of her life and musings.
Sacks' expansive reading and ability to both link and challenge disparate ideas impress me. Yet I found quick glimpses into subjects to be dry. For instance, Solomon's 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 is more compelling. That book is also less committed to pathologizing.
Sacks is trained in a medical model and won't let readers forget it. I often rewrite or replace problematic diction as I read, such as ableist terms. For example, "blind" might become "ignorant" or "inattentive." "Deaf" might have been chosen instead of the more appropriate "callous" or "unmoved" and then I mentally swap. Sacks offers little reprieve from terms like "retarded," "normal," and "deficit." I'm sure on some level his field treats this language as objective and certainly he seems to primarily aim to speak to his professional peers (folks who would share his understanding of these). On the other hand, he returns more than once to unease with the paucity of tools and terms at his disposable to celebrate or commune with the person in front of him ... and I felt I was doing more work than he did to address this tension.
kcwfd's review
Loan expired from library before I could finish it. Will pick up again another time.
zara_zaghloul's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling cases that provide an insight on various neurological pathologies in the from of seven short tales. Oliver sacks has a knack for letting you experience the world through the eyes of his patients, allowing you to sympathise with people you’ve never met.
For me, the most interesting case was that of the colour blind painter and how something so seemingly so trivial as loosing your colour vision can impact your life.
I was also introduced to the famous Temple Gradin, a professor of animal science with autism. Her account gave me a better understanding of people on the spectrum and how differently they think and view the world. Her book is definitely on my to-read list.
For me, the most interesting case was that of the colour blind painter and how something so seemingly so trivial as loosing your colour vision can impact your life.
I was also introduced to the famous Temple Gradin, a professor of animal science with autism. Her account gave me a better understanding of people on the spectrum and how differently they think and view the world. Her book is definitely on my to-read list.
dreavg's review against another edition
5.0
Oliver Sacks should be commended Should be commended for highlighting the indominable human spirit. This is another book of amazing case studies. IF anyone needs to be reminded to use what you have to your own advantage, Read anything by Dr. Sacks.