From Amazon:

'An inexhaustible tourist at the farther reaches of the mind, Sacks presents, in sparse, unsentimental prose, the stories of seven of his patients. The result is as rich, vivid and compelling as any collection of short fictional stories' Independent on Sunday

As with his previous bestseller, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, in An Anthropologist on Mars Oliver Sacks uses case studies to illustrate the myriad ways in which neurological conditions can affect our sense of self, our experience of the world, and how we relate to those around us. Writing with his trademark blend of scientific rigour and human compassion, he describes patients such as the colour-blind painter or the surgeon with compulsive tics that disappear in the operating theatre; patients for whom disorientation and alienation - but also adaptation - are inescapable facts of life.

This has been a fascinating read - the cases are observed from a personal level enabling Sacks to form friendships and trust and reinforces the body's amazing ability to relearn tasks in different ways when changes occur in the function overall. A concept I have learnt about after stroke cases but never considered the complexity of it all until now!

I didn't quite finish this book as planned so kept hold of it and didn't release it in the end. I have now offered this to someone coming along to the London meet up on Saturday and hope she finds it as fascinating as I did.

To be taken along to the Birmingham uncon - for someone who has this on their wishlist. If no longer required to be added to the book buffet for release.


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If this is your introduction to Bookcrossing, welcome!

Please make as many, or few, comments about the book as you wish. The book is now yours to do with as you choose. Keep it, pass it on, but please leave the label, so we can keep in touch with what's happened to it in the future.

If you would like to know what happens to the book if you decide to pass it on, then consider joining BookCrossing. It's free, private and it's great fun!

This sounds really interesting, thank you Paws4Books! Lovely to see you this weekend!

Oliver Sacks is a neurologist who in seven chapters describes seven different patients, their conditions and the amazing ways they have adapted and compensated for them, including a surgeon with tourettes and two very different autistic patients. Occasionally requiring more knowledge of areas of the brain than I have, but nevertheless fascinating and compassionately told.

Chosen by BaiLong from round 14 of the Alphabet VBB. Enjoy! :)

Thanks for sharing this book. I had never heard of it before, but it sounds really interesting.