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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
My grandpa told me to read this book and so I did. I really shouldn’t have liked it so much. I don’t know why I liked it.
Very touching, a collection of short stories sharing themes of love of life and awe before limitless ways it manifests itself.
Some stories leave a better impression than others, some may be seen as a soft nagging about how we sometimes forget to be humane to each other or actually live our life.
Still it feels nice to be reminded how different life could be, and how many fascinating things there are. It is sad that the author had passed away, but at least we still have books he had written.
Some stories leave a better impression than others, some may be seen as a soft nagging about how we sometimes forget to be humane to each other or actually live our life.
Still it feels nice to be reminded how different life could be, and how many fascinating things there are. It is sad that the author had passed away, but at least we still have books he had written.
emotional
hopeful
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
fantastic and intimate and thoughtful as usual of oliver sacks
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Funny at times, and heart breaking at others, reading possibly the last words written by the man that got me into non fiction all those years ago.
RIP Oliver Sacks. I miss you still.
RIP Oliver Sacks. I miss you still.
Favorites: “Neurological Dreams,” “The Lost Virtues of the Asylum”
I've enjoyed any book from Dr. Sacks that I've picked up.
Ok, this is definitely not my kind of a book. I found it boring and it reminded me of other authors of medical autobiographical tales like Henry Marsh. Since I am also working in a medical profession Sacks is mainly describing day to day life for me in some parts mixed with curiosities in other parts and historical facts that I already learn/studied in university.
This may very well be entertaining and astounding for readers without medical knowledge.
This may very well be entertaining and astounding for readers without medical knowledge.
Oliver Sacks was ridiculously good at writing. This book is a collection of shorter writings, compiled after his death, on everything from ferns to astrobiology, as well as his more traditional clinical tales. It's divided into three parts (which I don't think need to be read in order) so it seems logical to review each bit separately.
The first section, 'First Loves', is a beautiful recounting of Sacks' childhood memories, told in such a interesting and witty way that one story (which involved exploding fish in his friend's basement) genuinely made me laugh out loud. His passion for science and for the natural world really comes through, and the asides about the history of scientific discovery are really well researched and articulately told.
The middle part of the book is a collection of clinical tales, similar to Sacks' other work. As always, each chapter is written in such a warming way, achieving the perfect balance of scientific interest and a truly human recounting of the truly human experiences of his patients.
The final section, 'Life Goes On', is a somewhat random selection of the author's musings on various topics. It is a testament to Sacks' skill with words that I read an entire chapter on pickled herring and enjoyed it! His excitement about the natural world evidently continued for the whole of his life and the way he spoke of every topic made me feel excited and hopeful about all the wonderful variety that the world has to offer.
I will definitely be returning to this book again and cannot fault it.
The first section, 'First Loves', is a beautiful recounting of Sacks' childhood memories, told in such a interesting and witty way that one story (which involved exploding fish in his friend's basement) genuinely made me laugh out loud. His passion for science and for the natural world really comes through, and the asides about the history of scientific discovery are really well researched and articulately told.
The middle part of the book is a collection of clinical tales, similar to Sacks' other work. As always, each chapter is written in such a warming way, achieving the perfect balance of scientific interest and a truly human recounting of the truly human experiences of his patients.
The final section, 'Life Goes On', is a somewhat random selection of the author's musings on various topics. It is a testament to Sacks' skill with words that I read an entire chapter on pickled herring and enjoyed it! His excitement about the natural world evidently continued for the whole of his life and the way he spoke of every topic made me feel excited and hopeful about all the wonderful variety that the world has to offer.
I will definitely be returning to this book again and cannot fault it.
An entertaining and interesting compilation of scientific and medical essays.
Excellent, thought provoking essays on a variety of subjects. Looking forward to reading more of this author’s material.