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A review by bright1226
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
As a Psych student on their way to grad school I'd heard about this book in classes every couple of semesters and knew I'd have to read it at some point. Of course the stories of the individual patients helped in making the book easy to read as well as Sacks' descriptions of them that make you connect and want to hear more from each one. The stories vary in their endings of either diagnosed or still up to mystery, as well as some patients going on to live happy fulfilling lives, while others are met with a far different fate that can leave you feeling terrible in turning the page and leaving them behind.
Of course many of the terms used to describe the individuals written about in the book are a bit outdated, but it can be assumed that the writer meant these terms in a 'scientific' diagnoses way rather than the social implications the words have had. Sacks is extremely well-read and shows this by referencing to other doctors, medical journals at the time, newspaper articles, and other well-renowned philosophers ideas on the neurological systems he's concerned with throughout the book. It is a super interesting read to see where we were and where we have come in terms of understanding mental illness and all that surrounds it, as well as being pleasantly surprised at the things we may now view as 'newer' or more prevalent illnesses, being just as present around 60 years ago.
All in all I think this is a must read for those studying psychology and I think it was amazingly interesting. Not just to hear about the different patients he's encountered throughout his career, but to hear how he handles and works through figuring out how to help these patients too.
Of course many of the terms used to describe the individuals written about in the book are a bit outdated, but it can be assumed that the writer meant these terms in a 'scientific' diagnoses way rather than the social implications the words have had. Sacks is extremely well-read and shows this by referencing to other doctors, medical journals at the time, newspaper articles, and other well-renowned philosophers ideas on the neurological systems he's concerned with throughout the book. It is a super interesting read to see where we were and where we have come in terms of understanding mental illness and all that surrounds it, as well as being pleasantly surprised at the things we may now view as 'newer' or more prevalent illnesses, being just as present around 60 years ago.
All in all I think this is a must read for those studying psychology and I think it was amazingly interesting. Not just to hear about the different patients he's encountered throughout his career, but to hear how he handles and works through figuring out how to help these patients too.