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

By: Oliver Sacks

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Oliver Sacks - introduction

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In his most extraordinary book, "one of the great clinical writers of the 20th century" (The New York Times) recounts the case histories of patients lost in the bizarre, apparently inescapable world of neurological disorders. Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat tells the stories of individuals afflicted with fantastic perceptual and intellectual aberrations: patients who have lost their memories and with them the greater part of their pasts; who are no longer able to recognize people and common objects; who are stricken with violent tics and grimaces or who shout involuntary obscenities; whose limbs have become alien; who have been dismissed as retarded yet are gifted with uncanny artistic or mathematical talents.

If inconceivably strange, these brilliant tales remain, in Dr. Sacks' splendid and sympathetic telling, deeply human. They are studies of life struggling against incredible adversity, and they enable us to enter the world of the neurologically impaired, to imagine with our hearts what it must be to live and feel as they do. A great healer, Sacks never loses sight of medicine's ultimate responsibility: "the suffering, afflicted, fighting human subject".

PLEASE NOTE: Some changes have been made to the original manuscript with the permission of Oliver Sacks.

©1970, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985 Oliver Sacks (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Dr. Sacks's best book.... One sees a wise, compassionate and very literate mind at work in these 20 stories, nearly all remarkable, and many the kind that restore one's faith in humanity." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

"Dr. Sacks's most absorbing book.... His tales are so compelling that many of them serve as eerie metaphors not only for the condition of modern medicine but of modern man." ( New York magazine)

Lack of mind control

Very disturbing read on how the mind can get out of whack and really cause a living hell for people. Trying to put oneself in the mental condition of one of these patients is an exercise in madness. The insight on aspirin or b6 prolonged overdose possibly contributing was interesting.

Beloved Oliver Sacks at his best.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: and Other Clinical Tales to be better than the print version?

I read the print version years ago. Now, having enjoyed the audio version, I'd have to say that both have their merits. It is easier, with the print version, to refer back to previously read information when necessary for clarification purposes. But the audio version was very well done and served as an informative, engaging presentation of Dr. Sacks' experiences, conclusions and philosophical meanderings.

What did you like best about this story?

Dr. Sacks was a bright man who thought outside the mental health box, to the great benefit of his patients and to the inspiration of many. His works should be required reading for those involved in the field of psychology and human behavior. I like everything about Dr. Sacks' writings, except for his occasional tendency to get off track and ramble a bit at the end. But his ramblings are better than the musings of most people, so I felt privileged being able to listen to them.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis and Oliver Sacks (Introduction) – was your favorite?

Not a character-driven work. The accounts in this book are of real people. I can't look at them as characters, not in the literary sense.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme, but I felt a bit sad and nostalgic at times, knowing that Dr. Sacks has passed on. He is missed.

Any additional comments?

What I like the most about Dr. Sacks and his works is that he looks beyond the usual and the accepted to find the key aspects of a whole person--neurological, conceptual, emotional and spiritual. Each of these aspects of personhood is inextricably interwoven with the other components. The health of any one aspect affects the function of all. Many psychology experts focus on the mental and physical but shy away from the spiritual aspect of life. By spiritual, I don't mean religion, but the actual connection of a person with existence on all levels. Dr. Sacks recognized the wholeness of his patients. He strove to understand and treat people on all their levels of need. His work deserves respect, and emulation.

Slow but steady

There's a slow but steady feel to this book. A bit clinical with a few laymen terms. Not a must read, but very eye opening to neurophysiology.

Wonderful!

Extraordinary stories that broaden the mind about the human condition. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and production. Too many people are closed minded and self absorbed but would benefit from reading such a wonderful book.

So-so start but it gets better

Somewhat slow in the beginning with a dry, clinical feel to the writing. It got better toward the end. Definitely worth the listen if you enjoy exploring the capabilities of the brain and how changes to physical or chemical changes can have profound impacts on us.

Brilliant

A must read for anybody interested in neurology or beautiful stories of the way our internal circuitry goes awry. Dr. Sacks was a phenomenal doctor and through these stories brings a sense of humanity to the medical field.

A Poetic Look at Neurology

Oliver Sacks blends philosophy, poetry, & cutting edge (at the time) neuro-psychology to create a fantastic listening experience. Highly recommended.

Great!

I'm glad I finally got to read/listen to this book. It was recommended by a professor I had at CSU San Marcos in one of my Communicative Science Disorders class. I'll probably end up buying a physical copy of the book as well. Oliver Sacks' writing is eloquent, engaging, and interesting. There are a couple lulls but I think it's because I was working and listening at the same time. Good book, good performance, and a must read.

Great Anecdotal Case Studies

I heard some of these cases before. I got the impression that these cases were addressed before the brain was better understood and new treatments developed, because little was done to correct the conditions, most of which were completely new at the time. All that could be done was describe them, hoping for future remedies. The anecdotes make for good conversation diversions.

pathology woven into a fantastic insight

of empathy and mystical experience, a must read for all Care givers of special children