Head Cases takes us into the dark side of the brain in an astonishing sequence of stories, at once true and strange, from the world of b... read full description
reviews
Oct 04, 2010
Osho
rated it: 
Light on science, long on condemnation of almost every medical professional and system except his own hospital. Rife with grammatical problems and incorrect usage. Head trauma is a serious and underserved phenomenon, but if I've seen heroic and sustained efforts on behalf of people with TBIs, so has Mason. Instead, read Where is the Mango Princess?, which also indicts TBI health care, but with more specificity and better balance.
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Aug 31, 2008
Joan
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Each chapter in Head Cases is a vignette of a particular traumatic brain injury: the person before, the accident, the effects on the brain, the losses/changes, and the person's struggle to overcome/deal with those changes. The gist of the stories is that these are real people with real families and real struggles.
Several of the stories are not for the weak of heart and some are not for the weak of stomach. The hells in which some of the patients live made me doubt whether I could m More...
Several of the stories are not for the weak of heart and some are not for the weak of stomach. The hells in which some of the patients live made me doubt whether I could m More...
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Jul 23, 2008
Angie
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What makes you get up in the morning? Sustain your job? Helps you breathe? Makes sure your heart beats every day? It's frightening to think how much the brain is responsible for (essentially everything in your body), yet its only protection is a few thin layers of membrane, fluid, and bone. A simple tap on the head in the wrong place can create damage that will change your life forever.
Mason, a brain injury case manager, tells the stories of several of his clients: how it happened More...
Mason, a brain injury case manager, tells the stories of several of his clients: how it happened More...
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Dec 04, 2011
charlie
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There's no doubt that Mason is indeed an elite figure in the field of neuroscience and brain injuries. His understanding of the human brain is phenomenal. What I liked about the book was that this understanding shone through Mason's voice, not through hard clumps of science-science-science. I was a bit dubious, I'll admit, buying this book because I knew so little about this field to begin with, but Mason's writing style is so well developed that it never became a problem at all. He writes this
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Apr 04, 2011
Lindsey
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I couldn't have different tastes from my mother in most things, books included. Her literary diet consists mainly of Chicken Soup for the Soul and self-help/inspirational non-fiction. She's also a chronic worrywart, and feeding into this is her taste for non-fiction dealing with medicine, disease, and mental health. Which brings us to "Head Cases," which I stumbled upon while visiting my parents in Amish Country.
"Head Cases" is a collection of anecdotes from Michael Pau More...
"Head Cases" is a collection of anecdotes from Michael Pau More...
Apr 08, 2010
Lauren
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Head cases by Michael paul mason was a verry good nonfiction book about a verioty of brain injories tha the had stutyd. I feel that it was a verry good book wih alot of explanations to why and how people get brain indureies. it also explained how different indureies can effect peoples lives. He studies people who have disabilities that barraly affect there lives, yet other people who turn into veggitabels because of there indureies.
I think book can verry much relate to real life beuc More...
I think book can verry much relate to real life beuc More...
Nov 24, 2008
Becky
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I had to read this book about people who have suffered brain injuries. I have always wondered how injuries affect people. I suffered a couple of concussions and a nasty blow to the back of my head when I was little. This book tells about people who suffer brain injury and end up with things from seizures to loss of past, or memory. There is a woman who has lost her ability to remember; she is constantly in the present, with no longer the ability to store memories.
Reading this book makes me More...
Reading this book makes me More...
Dec 08, 2010
Ashley
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This was a quick read; Mason's tone was different than that of most non-fiction authors. I like to read the first few pages of a book before checking out the author's picture on the inside back flap; it's interesting to see how they compare to a quick mental picture that's created in the first few pages. With this book, I could tell right away the author was younger; not from any context clues, but just from his style. Which is intereting, since he comes across as almost weary; his work as a bra
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Jun 11, 2010
Joanie
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So after a year and a half we finally finished this book. I'm so glad not to have it listed under my "currenly reading" section anymore.
We read a this a few chapters at a time as part of the journal club we have at my work for our certified brain injury specialist program. This book is a collection of case histories of various people who have suffered brain injuries written by a brain injury case manager (whatever the hell that is!)
The book presents some intere More...
We read a this a few chapters at a time as part of the journal club we have at my work for our certified brain injury specialist program. This book is a collection of case histories of various people who have suffered brain injuries written by a brain injury case manager (whatever the hell that is!)
The book presents some intere More...
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Apr 20, 2009
Brandon
rated it:
MPM writes with an engaging blend of clinical and professional experience and enlightened personal insight. At once this book points to a glaring inadequacy in the healthcare system and medical practice and raises a rich variety of philosophical questions about the nature of identity, perception and our connections with the people we know and love.
It deserves criticism in that, yes, these stories are frightening and sad almost to an excess, and no, there isn't any explicit redemptio More...
It deserves criticism in that, yes, these stories are frightening and sad almost to an excess, and no, there isn't any explicit redemptio More...
Jun 18, 2008
Maya
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The first thing I'll say about this book is that I expected it to be a good deal more clinical than it is, which for a lay reader like myself turned out to be an excellent thing.
Mason brings his cases to life for the reader with compassion and skill. I noticed another review that criticized the way in which the stories seemed to end abruptly, which I just don't understand. Human stories, epic, tragic, triumphant and ordinary, don't typically wrap up neatly. The fact that they don't More...
Mason brings his cases to life for the reader with compassion and skill. I noticed another review that criticized the way in which the stories seemed to end abruptly, which I just don't understand. Human stories, epic, tragic, triumphant and ordinary, don't typically wrap up neatly. The fact that they don't More...
May 27, 2008
Athena
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Although the author gives us all the details we brain injury voyeurs crave, he neglects to give conclusions to any of his mini snippets of the lives of the many people he talks about. I certainly didn't expect life long updates, but he seems to cut their stories short. It's very noticeable, and distracting.
The author writes by telling you a paragraph of the incident that caused the brain injury, and then a paragraph of the technical details of their brain injury and what's actually happeni More...
The author writes by telling you a paragraph of the incident that caused the brain injury, and then a paragraph of the technical details of their brain injury and what's actually happeni More...
Aug 21, 2009
Chris
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The author provides first hand accounts of individuals who sustain and living with traumatic brain injuries across developmental levels. Through this book the reader will be able to understand the often dramatic and life long difficulties that individuals with TBI experience.
The book is very well written. Easily read within a day or two. If you're interested in this area, this is one book that you will not be able to put down.
The book is very well written. Easily read within a day or two. If you're interested in this area, this is one book that you will not be able to put down.
Jun 19, 2009
Stephanie
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A fascinating (and easily accessible) book about the myriad causes of brain injury -- and the equally myriad effects. This book should make you wear your helmet, your seatbelt, and your sense of caution. Be thankful if your life has not yet been touched by brain injury, because the author also shows in no uncertain terms the vast shortcomings of our current healthcare system when it comes to caring for individuals with brain injury.
Jan 17, 2009
William
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If the author did not so often seem so self-conscious of his writing style (he attempts to be more lyrical than many situations deserve), I would have rated this book higher. In any case, the author has some wonderful (and sad) stories of working with people suffering from brain injuries. This is a book that makes you realize the fragility of the human mind and the unfortunate way our society treats brain-injured people.
Jan 02, 2012
Mom
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Having just read Left Neglected, I saw this book on a bookshelf and thought it might be interesting. While the content was interesting, the author was quite negative -- criticizing the hospitals, the doctors, the medical system, insurance companies -- everyone. I'd rather read Oliver Sacks, you learn way more about the brain, and the experience is uplifting, not depressing. one 1/2 stars. Skip this book.
Jan 20, 2009
Ferris
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The subject matter in this book is very interesting, and it was also a very informative book in terms of the lack of good services for the brain injured and their families. However, I am sorry to say that I didn't think the writing was very impressive. It seemed to wander a bit, and waver between trying to be informative and trying to ba a good story. The balance just wasn't right in my opinion.
Dec 03, 2008
Stories from a brain injury case manager about some of the people he has worked with. I was interested because I too have a lot of clients with TBI, but it turned out that these stories were far from clinical. Mason writes in a very accessible way, touching upon the spiritual issues that arise when one gets brain injured. My husband read it right after me and loved it.
Jun 30, 2008
Kim
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This book is a compilation of stories about different people who have brain damage. It's written by a guy who is a case manager, he goes around the country meeting people with brain injuries and damage from tumors and such to see if there are any programs out there to help them. For most there is nothing to be done for them, they aren't brain damaged enough, they don't have the right kind of brain damage, they are too high functioning, they have too many behavior problems associated with their
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Apr 10, 2011
Charlesbures
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I found this to be a very thought provoking book. It covered about a dozen different cases - one per chapter - and described in lay terms what happened during the accident. The author was the case manager and he describes the effects of each injury on both the patient and their families. And how the "system" provided care, both short-term and long-term.
Jan 12, 2012
Caro
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this book has got me thinking about buying a bike helmet. and of course i banged my head really badly just after finishing it.
great read, even though it aint's a sacks and could have done with a wee bit of editorial tweaking. however, the stories are extremely human, eye-opening and make you appreciate life in all its mysterious ways.
great read, even though it aint's a sacks and could have done with a wee bit of editorial tweaking. however, the stories are extremely human, eye-opening and make you appreciate life in all its mysterious ways.
Mar 11, 2010
Rod
rated it:
This book describes the experiences of a number of people who have suffered severe brain trauma. Most cases are chronic and require exceptional levels of medical and nursing care.
The author has a curious style. The book is part personal narrative, part explication of neuromedicine, and part criticism of the health care system. These parts are not always melded together very well.
I was hoping this work would be similar to 'The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat'. Ala
The author has a curious style. The book is part personal narrative, part explication of neuromedicine, and part criticism of the health care system. These parts are not always melded together very well.
I was hoping this work would be similar to 'The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat'. Ala
Nov 29, 2009
Candace
rated it:
Well-written and very moving book, which is more likely to make you better protect your noggin than any amount of chiding from your Mom.
Interestingly, this book contains a case in which a man, after a head injury, developed idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA). Coincidence or causation in this case? Not sure, but it's an interesting point.
Interestingly, this book contains a case in which a man, after a head injury, developed idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA). Coincidence or causation in this case? Not sure, but it's an interesting point.
May 16, 2009
Ronnie
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This book gives back to a charity. It is difficult to understand a person with a brain injury and what life is like afterwards, and it is hard to put it into the words as easily as it is for this author. As a TBI patient, I was grateful for this book, and could relate. I highly recommed it for anyone who knows someone with a TBI.
Nov 29, 2010
Terri
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A very well written account of brain injuries and the problems in securing the care need by a survivor of a brain injury. This book has reminded me how blessed we are for the the care my son has received since his injury and that the financial resources to pay for it are in place.
Dec 15, 2011
Lantinga
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Fascinating stories of a range of people with brain injuries, tied together with Mason's reflections on how our medical system only rehabilitates the wealthiest (or luckiest) people. An eye-opening story of empathy, frustration, and the limitations of our health care system.
Nov 15, 2008
Abbi
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Favorite tidbits:
Forgetting is hell, forgetting is heaven.
Ounce for ounce, a walnut enjoys more protection than the human brain.
Although I don't find myself agreeing with him too often, Satan has an undeniably intuitive grasp of the human condition. After a humiliating fall from grace in Paradise Lost, he finds himself unable to fly out of hell - it follows him wherever he goes. Bereft and exasperated, he concludes, "The mind is its own place, and in it More...
Forgetting is hell, forgetting is heaven.
Ounce for ounce, a walnut enjoys more protection than the human brain.
Although I don't find myself agreeing with him too often, Satan has an undeniably intuitive grasp of the human condition. After a humiliating fall from grace in Paradise Lost, he finds himself unable to fly out of hell - it follows him wherever he goes. Bereft and exasperated, he concludes, "The mind is its own place, and in it More...
Apr 24, 2011
Laurel
rated it:
Well-written and eye-opening, Head Cases is a collection of tales from the life and desk of a brain injury caseworker. Readers learn just how limited survivors' resources are. It's sad, but not a downer: one of Mason's points is that no matter how dark it looks for these people, they never lose their humanity.
Aug 01, 2008
Raes
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I'm really enjoying this book so far. This author feels like a hybrid of Oliver Sacks and Bill Hayes, two of my favorite science writers. Each chapter in Head Cases features the story of injury, survival, and coping of persons with traumatic brain injuries. I'm reminded yet again why I wouldn't mind going back to school to study neuroscience.
Addendum:
I finished it. Swallowed the book nearly whole. The author is so gifted when it comes to creating a human portrait in writin More...
Addendum:
I finished it. Swallowed the book nearly whole. The author is so gifted when it comes to creating a human portrait in writin More...
Mar 25, 2009
Mary Lou
rated it:
Heartwrenching narratives of real people who suffered from brain injuries as a result of accident or infection. Made me see just how tenuous human life really is, since many of the afflicted in this book will never fully recover.
