lucasgregorini's review against another edition
5.0
el mejor libro para empezar a leer a oliver sacks
jammydodger's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
bobamcfungus's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Each of the stories taught me something different, but all of them centered on the ways that the brain can overcome damage or disorder, sometimes resulting in a new human experience unable to be comprehended by the neurotypical brain. Sacks does a great job in sharing his deep curiousity in the brain and neuroscience without completely disconnecting from the fact that the patient is a person, with a full life and multifaceted personality. I think the quote included at the beginning of the text explains this well, “Ask not what disease the person has, but rather what person the disease has”.
beatsbybeard's review against another edition
4.0
Seven stories of individuals with neurological variations from the norm that illustrate different and valid modes of human experience. There's a painter who loses the ability to see color; a Deadhead who Zens his way to amnesia; a surgeon with Tourette's; a blind man who regains sight; a painter who solely and obsessively paints his hometown in Italy; an autistic artist with an incredible memory; and Temple Grandin, autistic engineer extraordinaire. Sacks's writing is beautifully humane, as usual. He proposes that although we think in terms of mental "disability" for people like these, their circumstances offer just as real and vital an experience as "normal" people have, and even give them benefits of perspective that the rest of us miss out on. Good stuff!
emmmmmers's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Conceptually great, but struggled to really engage.
sneakilee's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating read! Every case is a unique insight into the human mind. I’ve often heard that we know very little about how the brain works and yet I never quite fathomed how much we don’t know. This book has been a glimpse into that. Sacks draws you in so easily into the stories that you start sharing his curiosity. Can’t wait to pick up “The man who mistook his wife for a hat”.
kiramke's review against another edition
4.0
Sacks is always worthwhile. Fascinating explorations of how we construct and are constructed.