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skmiles's review against another edition
4.0
What Sacks lacks in narrative structure, he makes up for in quality of writing. He tells honestly of his life, his family, his failings and accomplishments and gives the reader a better insight overall into the man behind such incredible medical literature. What emerges is the portrait of a man, both young and old, who was eternally curious about the world around him and deeply compassionate about his fellow human. Extremely readable and very engaging.
lambsears's review against another edition
4.0
I've loved Dr. Sacks' writing for a long time, although I haven't read every one of his books, and this one is full of at least as much warmth, wisdom and compassion of any that have gone before. What it is also full of is surprises.
Who knew that Sacks was a body builder, motorcycle fiend, an amphetamine addict and has been enjoying psychoanalysis twice a week for most of his life - all of which have given him the life experience and insight which he brings to his patients and his writing, along with his pretty brilliant brain.
He's quite a treasure and a formidable intellect who will be missed.
Who knew that Sacks was a body builder, motorcycle fiend, an amphetamine addict and has been enjoying psychoanalysis twice a week for most of his life - all of which have given him the life experience and insight which he brings to his patients and his writing, along with his pretty brilliant brain.
He's quite a treasure and a formidable intellect who will be missed.
sctittle's review against another edition
3.0
Our bookclub choice for February. Strange, I keep seeing Oliver Sacks references everywhere I go, and in each of them there is the sense that this man is some kind of genius Santa Claus. But his autobiography paints a different picture, or rather draws it, without coloring in the lines. Here's what I learned: Oliver Sacks is/was a disorganized introvert. He was passionate about motorcycles, weight-lifting (!) swimming, and journal writing and, at one point in his life, dabbled extensively in every kind of drug. He wrote a variety of books on neurological oddities. He was fairly peripatetic, traveling back and forth from London to NYC to SF, to LA in some kind of random pattern. He had a schizophrenic brother. He was gay. He went 35 years without sex.
Here's what I gleaned from this book. Oliver Sacks does not like revealing too much about himself. He writes more beautifully in his journals and letters than in this autobiography, which quotes extensively from his personal writing. He may have been a manic depressive. He most certainly was a compassionate and endlessly curious person and his own twisty journey as a doctor is fascinating and idiosyncratic. Still, was just kind of meh about this book because it seemed to be more an autobiography of his life writing and researching books, AND it is rather disorganized and hard to follow. Two salient comments from my fellow clubbers: "He could have been his own patient." And "We would find out more about him if someone else wrote a biography."
Here's what I gleaned from this book. Oliver Sacks does not like revealing too much about himself. He writes more beautifully in his journals and letters than in this autobiography, which quotes extensively from his personal writing. He may have been a manic depressive. He most certainly was a compassionate and endlessly curious person and his own twisty journey as a doctor is fascinating and idiosyncratic. Still, was just kind of meh about this book because it seemed to be more an autobiography of his life writing and researching books, AND it is rather disorganized and hard to follow. Two salient comments from my fellow clubbers: "He could have been his own patient." And "We would find out more about him if someone else wrote a biography."
jrosenstein's review against another edition
3.0
Oliver Sacks is certainly a fascinating man with a remarkably varied life, but overall this book just reminded me that I don't really like memoir.
amjammi's review against another edition
3.0
Charming and smart, but even as he describes intimate emotions, it feels like he keeps his readers at arms-length.
jennbliven's review against another edition
5.0
Anything by Oliver Sacks is 5 stars. His was a life lived.
maddiiee's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting life this man had! The book covers over 50 years of Dr. Sacks' life, including many encounters with patients, scientists and other doctors. Really enjoyed reading this book, as his ease with language and storytelling is apparent throughout.
meedamian's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful insights into Oliver's life. IMO this book explains a lot about him, his work, inspirations, and is a wonderful read if you're a fan.