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Summary: most moving account of neurological misfunction ever written
Review: Brilliant. Everyone living should read this boo
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Summary: Sacks reveals the depth and mystery of the human psyche
Review: A well-known neurologist, Sacks writes of his experiences dealing with different clinical case histories. Sacks reveals the depths of the human psyche, drawing a picture of each patient's case in clear language, and infuses one with a sense of wonder at the human condition. It's comprehensible for the layman as well as the specialist, although non-medically oriented readers may find some of his neurological references difficult to follow. A fascinating book that will take the reader, in the author's own words, on a "magic carpet ride", Sacks, in this book, is more of a story-teller than anything else. He focuses on the specific personality and uniqueness of each patient, rather than on actual clinical treatment and outcome of each one.
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Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book was recommended by my psychology professor and had been on my reading list for over a year. I was finally able to begin reading Dr. Sacks' book this summer. I was more than a little disappointed. The people who are depicted in these stories are reduced to one-dimensional caricatures. Dr. Sacks' tone at times is pompous, as though he was these patients' only hope. This was distasteful to me, and instead of highlighting the lives of his patients, he uses his book as a platform to outline his accomplishments.I almost never put down a book without reading it from cover to cover. This book was the rare exception. I would never want to be treated by Dr. Sacks for a neurological problem, and I couldn't recommend his books to anyone.
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Summary: Interesting but superficial overview of clinical cases
Review: Reading this book, I felt like touring a museum of curiosities, getting an overview of a large number of clinical case, without any in-depth analysis or understanding of the patients. Overall, the book felt cold and detached and I found myself wanting to know more about each person described, on their personality. They felt too much like lab experiments instead of human beings. However, the scientific aspects seemed well researched, solid and à-propos. I recommend Sacks'"An Anthropologist on Mars" as a better read, for more in-depth studies of fewer cases.
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Summary: Exaggerations,falsehoods and facts mixed for material gain.
Review: Its about time that people started seeing past sacks carefully cultivated media image of genial genius to reveal what he really is;a self promoting, vulgar, ego-maniacal perpetrator of clinical lies and exaggerations for the purpose of personal gain.A writer of consumate skill,he easily dupes 'lay people'into believing the veracity of each case.seasoned medical practitioners would,I hope,be able to detect the whiff of bull-faeces that surrounds him.
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Summary: Fascinating and easy to read
Review: If you have not read any of Oliver Sacks' books, this is probably the best place to start. This collection of 24 clinical case histories is written so as to be of interest to both lay and informed readers alike. Without espousing a particular philosophical or metaphysical viewpoint, Sacks' subjects and his commentary force the inquiring reader to ask some of the great, probing questions about our existence. With a perceptive, critical eye for clinical observation and a widely read store of medical knowledge, Sacks writes with true compassion for his patients. Sacks thus shows how both the science and art of medicine should come together in the best tradition of medical practice.
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Summary: Engrossing Set of Neurological Portraits in Miniature
Review: This collection of neurological case studies, related in meticulous and mellifluous narrative language, minimally opens a window into the workings of the brain and, with time and patient reflection, makes the reader consider his/her own inner workings and how s/he might react under similarly dehumanizing pathologies. The poignant "The Lost Mariner" is particularly powerful; the horrifying plight of the time-lost central character will stay with you forever. I take issue with the strongly negative reaction of the San Francisco reviewer; Sacks never displays less than a profound sympathy and compassion toward his patients.
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Summary: This book is incredibly interesting!
Review: Oliver Sacks writes about his case studies with humor and talent, he is not only a psychiatrist, but a humanitarian. This is one of my favorite books, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in psychiatry.
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Summary: horribly cruel and unempathetic tone
Review: God save you if you were mentally ill and your doctor turned out to be Sacks. Clearly these people amuse him... well they are not actually people, per se, just malfunctioning brain mechanisms. Disgustingly evil managerie of circus animals he parades in front of the reader. Hard to read if you feel sympathy for these unfortunate human beings who depend on Sacks for care.
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Summary: fantastic, homeric
Review: bombilow and gobashing in the line of perigorgeou
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