Extended Classic: “Are You Out of Your Mind?” with Oliver Sacks

In 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain', Oliver Sacks delves into the complex and fascinating relationship between music and the human brain. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on different themes such as the sudden onset of musicality, musical oddities like synesthesia, and the role of music in memory, movement, and emotion. Sacks examines cases of people with conditions such as musical hallucinations, amusia, and those with extraordinary musical abilities despite neurological impairments. He also discusses how music therapy can treat conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and Tourette's syndrome. The book combines scientific insight with compassionate storytelling to illuminate the profound impact of music on human experience.

In 'An Anthropologist on Mars,' Oliver Sacks presents seven intriguing narratives of individuals with neurological conditions such as autism, Tourette's syndrome, and cerebral achromatopsia. Through these stories, Sacks highlights the remarkable adaptability and creativity of his subjects, offering insights into the human brain and its capacity to transform challenges into unique strengths. The book combines scientific exploration with compassionate storytelling, making it both informative and engaging.

This memoir combines autobiographical elements with a primer in the history and science of chemistry. Sacks recounts his childhood in wartime England, his early scientific fascination with light, matter, and energy, and his experiences at boarding school. The book also delves into his family's influence, including his Uncle Dave, who manufactured light bulbs with tungsten filaments, and the broader scientific community that shaped his early life. It touches on his transition from a childhood love of chemistry to an interest in biology and his eventual decision to become a doctor.