So I have another book recommendation, actually from the same author as my last book recommendation. This book was first published in 1985, and is a fascinating collection of stories collected and written by neurologist Oliver Sacks. The stories are well written, showing a real sense of compassion for people whose brains cause them to act oddly, often bizarrely. I'm only halfway through the book at this point, but am finding it absolutely fascinating. I was completely unaware that the abilities to understand the words coming out of someone's mouth and the to understand tonal inflection and body-language are located in totally different places in the brain. So if one hemisphere of your brain is injured you may find yourself able to understand expression but not understand a word anyone says, giving you the gist of what most people are saying, but without absolute certainty. The man whose story is the title of the book can only see details, and cannot construct complete pictures using the details. So a picture of the White House wouldn't be identified as such, rather it would be a pictures of trees, grass, a fence, windows, columns, blue sky, clouds, and would likely not be identified as the White House. Anyway, the whole thing is fascinating to me, and I highly recommend the book. It has been reminding me of the incredible brain that God gave us, so detailed and sensitive. What an astounding creation, the human brain. Check it out. I dare you. Plus you might learn some good words like "proprioception." How cool is that word?!
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