In 'Awakenings', renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks recounts the extraordinary true stories of patients who emerged from decades-long catatonia after receiving the drug L-DOPA. This mesmerizing journey into the depths of human consciousness exposes the fragile line between life and mere existence. As Sacks navigates the emotional and ethical dilemmas of caring for these patients, he delves into the profound mysteries of the mind and the essence of awakening. The narratives challenge our perceptions of identity, memory, and the human experience. With each revelation, readers are compelled to reconsider what it truly means to be alive.
By Oliver Sacks
Published: 1999
"The human brain is a delicate and intricate machinery, capable of both wonder and despair, and it is in the moments of awakening that we truly understand the depths of its resilience and fragility."
The classic account of survivors of the sleeping-sickness during the great epidemic just after World War I—and their return to the world after decades of “sleep.” • From the distinguished neurologist and the bestselling author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat “One of the most beautifully composed and moving works of our time." —The Washington Post Awakenings—which inspired the major motion picture starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams—is the remarkable story of a group of patients who contracted sleeping-sickness during the great epidemic just after World War I. Frozen for decades in a trance-like state, these men and women were given up as hopeless until 1969, when Dr. Oliver Sacks gave them the then-new drug L-DOPA, which had an astonishing, explosive, "awakening" effect. Dr. Sacks recounts the moving case histories of his patients, their lives, and the extraordinary transformations which went with their reintroduction to a changed world.
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“The human brain is a delicate and intricate machinery, capable of both wonder and despair, and it is in the moments of awakening that we truly understand the depths of its resilience and fragility.”
Awakenings
By Oliver Sacks
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Oliver Sacks (1933-2015) was a British neurologist, naturalist, and bestselling author known for his compelling narratives that bridge the gap between science and human experience. His notable works include "Awakenings," which recounts his experiences treating patients affected by encephalitis lethargica, and "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," a collection of case studies that explore the intricacies of neurological disorders. Sacks' writing is characterized by its empathy, storytelling prowess, and meticulous attention to detail, which allow readers to connect deeply with the lives and challenges of his patients.
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