Scan barcode
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Oliver Sacks, a neurologist who is known for his books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Awakenings (the movie with Robin Williams), wrote this very interesting book of two types of genetic diseases typically found on isolated Islands: Colorblindness (Pingelap) and Lytico-Bodig a type of Parkinson/Alzheimers (Guam).
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
4.0
A perfect palate cleanser after the unrelenting grimness of JCO’s them. Sacks’ warm humanity was just what I needed. The title essay dealt with an achromatic population on the island of Pohnpei; it was a very personal exploration of sight, life in Micronesia, and isolation. The second essay, Cycad Island, was a more typical Sacks case study of lytico-bodig disease on Guam. I enjoyed both very much, but was disappointed to find that, even 20 years after the publication of the book, the source of the disease still remains a mystery. The third, brief essay, Rota, is a snore unless, like Sacks, you are fascinated by cycads and ancient ferns. It was very short though and easy to skim. All together, a pleasant, enjoyable read, full of Sacks’ curiosity, enthusiasm, and compassion.
fuzzyhebrew's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I quite enjoyed this book. Others are disappointed that it is a travel log esque style, but this is actually what I was looking for. I always enjoy a medical mystery, and this was fascinating although morbid. I will say I learned more about cycads than I ever thought I wanted to know. I wonder if more will be discovered about this disease or if it will (hopefully) die out and not need to be investigated further.
katrinacharleston's review against another edition
Got distracted and doubt I'll come back to it!
amberpb's review against another edition
4.0
A really captivating travel story/neurological study/botany/history lesson. Oliver Sacks makes me want to be a neurotic scientist...