A Leg to Stand On
by Oliver Sacks
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 158)
Read in April, 2008
recommended to Todd by:
Anthony
It seems like I've been reading a lot of borderline 3-4 star books lately. This one is hard to give only 3 stars, because it was a gift, and I hate to seem ungrateful.
The first third or half of the book is great. The last quarter of the book is good. In between, not as much. It seemed to me that Sacks was way more enamored of the things he was thinking and writing than I was, which was very frustrating. Many times he would repeat the same thought several times, expounding and elaborating ti...more
The first third or half of the book is great. The last quarter of the book is good. In between, not as much. It seemed to me that Sacks was way more enamored of the things he was thinking and writing than I was, which was very frustrating. Many times he would repeat the same thought several times, expounding and elaborating ti...more
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Read in October, 2007
here is the place to learn a little more about sacks the person. long and sometimes a bit repetitive - it's a totally different pace than his much shorter narratives in man who mistook wife and elsewhere, but the same delicious old-fashioned british flavor, rich with literary references. And in the same way, his narrative instructs on multiple levels: we learn something about how our neurology works, but also about the methodological problems of neurology as a discipline, and finally, there's mu...more
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Read in June, 2007
In this book, Sacks writes about the conditions of injury and patienthood and their effects on the psyche, using an extreme, autobiographical example. The writing is sometimes (okay, often) overwrought, and there is little suspense throughout the entire narrative. However, as a description of a curious condition, this book succeeds.
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Read in January, 2008
Fascinating account of when Oliver Sacks hurt his own leg badly and subsequently lost his mental association with it. He opens up completely about the experience so it's fascinating as a view into what happens to someone in this situation. But he also adds in his remarkable erudition and knowledge about neuro-psychology which makes it all the more interesting. And as a bonus it's relatively short too!
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Read in April, 2008
My star rating about sums it up. It was okay. He discusses some interesting topics associated with consciousness and self, some of it a little beyond my ability to differentiate, I just think he could have covered the same ground in about half the time.
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This book is particularly fascinating because it turns the tables on Sacks -- he's the patient here, suffering from a neurological problem that in another context he might be diagnosing in a patient of his own.
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Read in January, 2005
Recently, I was talking to a former student who has tried writing a book. He brought it to me as a published author, and it had promise, but this is the book I suggested that he read, to see what he is missing. An excellent story!
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Read in August, 2000
This book starts with a story about the author; real life near death experience. But then it morphs into a scientific study about body awareness. Again, it gets a little academic, but still an interesting read.
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Interesting change of view from Mr. Sacks as it is autobiographical, based on his own injury and subsequent recovery. Sacks just has a way with words that is a joy to read.
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Read in January, 2005
I loved this story of Dr. as patient. Sacks is really engaging, I enjoyed hearing how he struggled through illness much as his patients do. I found his insights interesting.
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an interesting read for psych majors...
or for anyone whos either had a limb removed...or been hospitalized for long period of time...
or for anyone whos either had a limb removed...or been hospitalized for long period of time...
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Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
science minded people
Oliver sacks talks about his leg injury and what it did to his mind... some strange things happen.
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Who wrote this? Oliver Sacks? Then I love it. More case studies.
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