The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

a revealing exploration of the mysteries of the human mind

By: Oliver Sacks

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Oliver Sacks

A classic work of psychology, this international bestseller provides a groundbreaking insight into the human mind. With an introduction by Will Self, read by Oliver Sacks.

If a man has lost a leg or an eye, he knows he has lost a leg or an eye; but if he has lost a self – himself – he cannot know it, because he is no longer there to know it.

In this extraordinary book, Dr. Oliver Sacks recounts the stories of patients struggling to adapt to often bizarre worlds of neurological disorder. Here are people who can no longer recognize everyday objects or those they love; who are stricken with violent tics or shout involuntary obscenities, and yet are gifted with uncanny artistic or mathematical talents. If inconceivably strange, these brilliant tales illuminate what it means to be human.

A provocative exploration of the mysteries of the human mind, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat is a million-copy bestseller by the twentieth century's greatest neurologist.

Critic reviews

A gripping journey into the recesses of the human mind

Oliver Sacks has become the world's best-known neurologist. His case studies of broken minds offer brilliant insight into the mysteries of consciousness

Populated by a cast as strange as that of the most fantastic fiction . . . Dr Sacks shows the awesome powers of our mind and just how delicately balanced they have to be

Dr. Sacks's most absorbing book . . . His tales are so compelling [because] many of them serve as eerie metaphors not only for the condition of modern medicine but of modern man

This book is for everybody who has felt from time to time that certain twinge of self-identity and sensed how easily, at any moment, one might lose it

A decidedly original approach . . . In addition to possessing the technical skills of a twentieth-century doctor, [Sacks] sees the human condition like a philosopher-poet. The resultant mixture is insightful, compassionate and moving . . . he recounts these histories with the lucidity and power of a gifted short-story writer . . . a masterpiece of clinical writing

Amazing insights

Fascinating insights into the way in which people experience the world. Interesting insights into the correlations of music and the brain. Enjoyed it and plan to listen to it again.

Loaded mercy

Dr Sacks' knowlegde, heart, mercy for people different from what we define as normal is life changing. May we all be courageous enough to create and provide opportunities for all people, especially for those we just dont understand yet.

This book will touch you deeply