Questions About The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales

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Answered Questions (8)

I'm really interested in the psychology of psychopaths and disorders, but I'm young. Like early high school young. Would this be too advanced or inappropriate for me?

Maria Regina Paiz No book is too advanced or inappropriate. Give it a shot! If you don't like it, you can always let it sit on your shelf for a few more years. :)…moreNo book is too advanced or inappropriate. Give it a shot! If you don't like it, you can always let it sit on your shelf for a few more years. :)(less)

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I would just like to ask how Oliver Sacks put this masterpiece of intriguing, fascinating on the human psychology and neurology ?

Wynne Lee Best way to find out "how he did it" is to read Sacks' last book, his autobiography "On the Move", which was published (April 2015) a few months befor…moreBest way to find out "how he did it" is to read Sacks' last book, his autobiography "On the Move", which was published (April 2015) a few months before his death in August 2015. His own story is every bit as amazing as those of his many patients & other phenomena (e.g. cycads) in the world he loved so much. Bet you'll be surprised by his unique, gutsy, sometimes very challenging life that was full of gusto, anguish, false starts, triumphs, hardships & many keen friendships. A great man IMO. (less)

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Would this be a fun book to read along to a spouse and intellectual child, or is too dry? Is there anything sexual or inappropriate for younger readers? We would likely try to read one chapter a night?

Christopher Hughes I don't believe there is anything that would be inappropriate to a younger reader but I think the technical phrases used may be a little off putting. …moreI don't believe there is anything that would be inappropriate to a younger reader but I think the technical phrases used may be a little off putting. Between specific case studies there are often pages of general background detail that I found filled with technical details that left me reaching for the dictionary.
Many of the cases are very sad and unresolved. I would hesitate to recommend reading such a book just before putting my kids to sleep.(less)

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Would this be a good grade 12 graduation gift for someone who wants to be a psychiatrist and has been accepted into a Medical Science program?

Elizabeth Fisher If they are interested in neurology and psychiatry absolutely. Note: It does have a lot of advanced medical vocabulary.

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If you want your 12th graders to read Sachs, which book is better: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, or An Anthropologist on Mars?

Sarah I haven't read An Anthropologist on Mars. However, I think this book would be frustrating for readers who don't already have a background in psycholog…moreI haven't read An Anthropologist on Mars. However, I think this book would be frustrating for readers who don't already have a background in psychology. The author makes casual references to a ton of other authors and researchers, and if the reader doesn't know them already, it might not make for a great reading experience. If it has to be a Sachs book, maybe something like Hallucinations or The Mind's Eye would be a smoother entry for HS readers?(less)

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