TMWMHWFAH Part 1: October 1 - 7

[Danielle]

This is the discussion thread for the first part of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales.

Preface
Introduction to Part One: Losses
1. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
2. The Lost Mariner
3. The Disembodied Lady
4. The Man Who Fell out of Bed

[Danielle]

So I've been hearing a lot about Oliver Sacks lately from various programs honoring his life. The only book I've read of his was Hallucinations, and I thought it was pretty interesting though I had no idea who Oliver Sacks was when I read it. Does anyone have any favorite writings or bits of knowledge from Sacks?

[Jon]

I don't remember having heard of Oliver Sacks until he passed away. I subsequently read an online article about him and then he was briefly talked about on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast. One of the hosts mentioned The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales and so I am happy that it is this month's book pick. I have read through Ch 1 so far and I'm enjoying it.

[Randy]

I think I've read many of Sacks's articles in Discover.

[Marcel]

I knew Oliver Sacks only from a Dutch television series 'A Magnificant Accident'. THis was an interview series in the 80s in which some leading scientists talked about the state of the art of science regarding The Human Species. Dan Dennet also appeared in this series, as did Dawkins (I think).
Still in my youth, I think it was my first encounter with thinkers like these. I was fascinated by this series.

[Sean]

Interesting and insightful look into what the patients are seeing and thinking. I'm not sure I always follow why he does some things but overall I like the way the stories are written so far.

[Jon]

Just finished Part 3 and so far so good. It reminds me of The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery which I read earlier this year and also enjoyed.

[Marcel]

Finished the book. Really enjoyed it. Interesting to learn how 'the wiring' in our brains determines so much the way we function. We take so much for granted. But the weird cases described in this book show us how delicate it all is.
I particular remember the ''The disembodied Lady'' story. A women who utterly lost the feeling of owning her body, describing her body as 'dead'. So weird.