Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks was a British neurologist, naturalist, historian of science, and author. Born on July 9, 1933, in London, England, he is best known for his writing on neurological case histories, including the books 'Awakenings' and 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.' His work has profoundly influenced our understanding of the brain and neurological disorders. Sacks was also a professor of neurology at NYU School of Medicine. He passed away on August 30, 2015.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
The book is a collection of clinical tales about patients suffering from a variety of neurological disorders. The author, a neurologist, shares his experiences with these patients, whose conditions range from common ailments like amnesia and aphasia, to rare disorders like visual agnosia and Tourette's Syndrome. The stories are both compassionate and insightful, revealing the complexities of the human brain and the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of debilitating illness.
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2. Awakenings
The book is a poignant exploration of a group of patients who contracted sleeping-sickness during the great epidemic just after World War I. Frozen for decades in a trance-like state, these men and women were given up as hopeless until 1969, when a brilliant neurologist started treating them with a new drug, L-DOPA, which enabled them to come back to life. The work delves into the profound nature of being human, the complex relationship between the body and mind, the beauty of the physical world, and the transformative power of medicine.
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3. A Leg To Stand On
In this introspective memoir, a renowned neurologist recounts his personal journey of recovery after suffering a severe leg injury in a mountaineering accident. The narrative delves into the author's profound experience of losing the sense of connection with his leg, as it becomes a foreign, unresponsive object. Through his convalescence, he confronts the challenges of physical and psychological healing, exploring the intricate relationship between the body and the mind. His reflections on the nature of illness, the process of rehabilitation, and the empathy required by medical professionals offer a deep understanding of the patient's perspective and the human capacity for resilience.
