Awakenings
by Oliver Sacks
Sacks's account of post-encephalitic patients frozen for decades and awakened by L-DOPA in 1969, their returns and relapses. Humane, philosophical and the basis of the film.
Read it if…
you want medicine written as literature, about what it means to be a person.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you want a quick read; the case histories are detailed.
Try instead: Life Force →
Three things you will actually use
- Patients are persons, not conditions.
- Awakening has costs.
- Attention is a form of care.
Do this first
Read Leonard L.'s case history.
Our verdict
Medicine as literature.
See the book →
Compare with other Health books
Life Force
Tony Robbins, Peter H. Diamandis and Robert Hariri · Health
Optimistic, interested, caveat heavily.
CLICK TO SEE
Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements
Tom Rath and Jim Harter · Health
Five elements, data-backed.
CLICK TO SEE
Browse all Health book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.