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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
I really admire Mr. Sacks' work and I loved most of the short stories in this book.
I only have one problem with it and that is the short story Kuru.
In Kuru, Sacks elaborates on CJD and, in this context, D. Carleton Gajdusek's groundbreaking work discovering the origin and dissemination of prion diseases.
Mr. Sacks called Gajdusek "a brilliant young American physician and ethologist" and explained his (undeniably) amazing findings without ever mentioning that he was also a convicted child molester.
Since the story appeared first in 1997, the same year Gajdusek pleaded guilty and was convicted, I don't see how Mr. Sacks / the publishers couldn't have written a footnote stating that even though Mr. Gajdusek was a great scientist, he was also a horrendous human being.
I only have one problem with it and that is the short story Kuru.
In Kuru, Sacks elaborates on CJD and, in this context, D. Carleton Gajdusek's groundbreaking work discovering the origin and dissemination of prion diseases.
Mr. Sacks called Gajdusek "a brilliant young American physician and ethologist" and explained his (undeniably) amazing findings without ever mentioning that he was also a convicted child molester.
Since the story appeared first in 1997, the same year Gajdusek pleaded guilty and was convicted, I don't see how Mr. Sacks / the publishers couldn't have written a footnote stating that even though Mr. Gajdusek was a great scientist, he was also a horrendous human being.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
One of the most moving books I’ve ever read. This is the book that inspired me to commit to a career change and begin my non-traditional path towards medicine.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
I will always recommend Dr. Oliver Sacks for people looking into nonfiction books -- from his medical tales to his nonmedical passions and interests. His books are the perfect balance of science and storytelling, and you can feel his love for people in each word. You find yourself captivated by his every word -- even in the chapters about ferns and historical figures in chemistry.
Note: I also love how references all sorts of books and scientific papers -- new and old --- I find myself taking pictures of their titles or writing them down to save for later.
Note: I also love how references all sorts of books and scientific papers -- new and old --- I find myself taking pictures of their titles or writing them down to save for later.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Good collection of Sack’s essays, especially the one on the Ginko tree. And as usual, the footnotes were excellent and a good source for finding other books to read.
3.5
I have been wanting to read something by Oliver Sacks for awhile after hearing him interviewed numerous times on public radio. I have a particular interest in medicine, so I found those essays most interesting. This is a very eclectic mix of essays and subjects—some really did not interest me at all and those I just skimmed. Still, a solid collection and one that I’m sure will lead me to others of Sacks’ work.
I have been wanting to read something by Oliver Sacks for awhile after hearing him interviewed numerous times on public radio. I have a particular interest in medicine, so I found those essays most interesting. This is a very eclectic mix of essays and subjects—some really did not interest me at all and those I just skimmed. Still, a solid collection and one that I’m sure will lead me to others of Sacks’ work.
Great collection. Some I skimmed, some I drank every word. Highlights were the Alzheimer’s stories, select patients like Spaulding Gray and the Tourette’s stories. Also the personal stories at the end, the gefilte fish, the orangutan, nature, and technology.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A little loosely tied together in themes, but as enjoyable a Sacks collection as any.