How to Be Human

An Autistic Man's Guide to Life

By: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik

Narrated by: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik

A “beautiful and astonishing” (Walter Isaacson, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Code Breaker) narrative that examines the many ways to be fully human, told by the first young adult with autism to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

As a child, Jory Fleming was wracked by uncontrollable tantrums, had no tolerance for people, and couldn’t manage the outside world. Slightly more than a decade later, he was bound for England, selected to attend one of the world’s premier universities.

How to Be Human is a “profound, thought-provoking” (Barry M. Pizant, PhD, author of Uniquely Human) exploration of life amid a world constructed for neurotypical brains when yours is not. But the miracle of this book is that instead of dwelling on Jory’s limitations, those who inhabit the neurotypical world will begin to better understand their own: they will contemplate what language cannot say, how linear thinking leads to dead ends, and how nefarious emotions can be, particularly when, in Jory’s words, they are “weaponized.” Through a series of deep, personal conversations with writer Lyric Winik, Jory makes a compelling case for logical empathy based on rational thought, asks why we tolerate friends who see us as a means to an end, and explains why he believes personality is a choice. Most movingly, he discusses how, after many hardships, he maintains a deep, abiding faith: “With people, I don’t understand what goes in and what comes out, and how to relate,” he says. “But I can always reconnect with my relationship with my Creator.”

Join Jory and Lyric as they examine what it means to be human and ultimately how each of us might become a better one. Jory asks us to consider: Who has value? What is a disability? And how do we correct the imbalances we see in the world? How to Be Human shows us the ways a beautifully different mind can express the very best of our shared humanity.

outstanding

A little hard at first until I got into the rhythm, then brilliant! For someone who lives with diminished emotions he nails it as to how our excessive emotions interefere with our ability to reason .

Beautiful Offering!

I learned so much! I have two psychology degrees and this gave me great insight into autism. I appreciate the perspective of the diversity that exists within the experiences of those who are neuro atypical. Additionally, Jory Fleming has a uniquely beautiful and compassionate soul. Thank you for this beautiful offering!

great book, would recommend to any male autistic

Great book with in depth stories of an autistic male's experience. would absolutely recommend this to anyone, as i have already shared it with my neurodivergent coach colleagues.

8/10 would recommend!

Makes you think & laugh

I caught myself laughing quietly to myself multiple times.
Also very much enjoyed the explanations & flow of thoughts.

Wonderful story

I don't know what I was expecting but what I got from this book, memoir, was better than what I was anticipating. This is one that I wish I had read for myself. I wish had the actual hard copy book in hand. While Jory's voice came through beautifully, Lyric Winik's was a bit off putting for me.

This is a beautiful, eye opening account of Jory's life as an intelligent individual, Road Scholar, son, brother, and friend who just happens to have autism. If I remember nothing else from this book, I hope that the following quote will be a constant reminder to me - "There are trees in Oxford that have been here for longer than the US has existed. But you also have all the flowers which are here one day and gone the next. . . . Even if I don't achieve the legacy of a tree, I can absolutely achieve the memorable joy of a flower." To hear Jory speak these words, was absolutely wonderful.