Title: Gratitude
Author: Oliver Sacks
First published November 1, 2015
49 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345811363 (ISBN10: 0345811364)
Rating: 4.18
Overview
In his final months, the legendary Oliver Sacks penned a series of poignant and insightful essays about the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. In “Gratitude,” Sacks reflects on his own mortality and the many blessings he received throughout his life, from the love of his family and friends to the joy of discovering the mysteries of the human brain.
With his trademark honesty and eloquence, Sacks reminds us that every life is precious and unique, and that we should be grateful for the privilege of being alive on this beautiful planet. This book is a powerful testament to the human spirit and a celebration of the gift of life.
About the Author
Oliver Wolf Sacks, a neurologist originally from the UK but based in the US, was well-known for writing popular books about his patients. His most famous work, Awakenings, was turned into a movie with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.
Sacks grew up in North London as the youngest of four children in a family of Jewish doctors: his father was a physician and his mother was a surgeon. During World War II, he and his brother were sent to a boarding school in the Midlands to escape the Blitz.
Sacks was interested in chemistry during his youth, which he later wrote about in his memoir Uncle Tungsten. He also shared his parents’ passion for medicine and attended The Queen’s College, Oxford University, where he received a BA in physiology and biology in 1954.
He went on to earn an MA and an MB ChB in chemistry from the same institution in 1958, which qualified him to practice medicine.
After converting his British qualifications to American recognition, Sacks moved to New York in 1965, where he has lived ever since. He began working at Beth Abraham Hospital (now Beth Abraham Health Service) in 1966, where he consulted with survivors of encephalitis lethargica.
These patients and his treatment of them were the inspiration for Awakenings.
Sacks’ work at Beth Abraham laid the foundation for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), where he is an honorary medical advisor. In 2000, Sacks received the first Music Has Power Award from the IMNF, which recognized his contributions to music therapy and the effect of music on the human brain and mind.
He later received a second Music Has Power Award in 2006 to commemorate his 40 years at Beth Abraham.
Sacks was a clinical professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and at the New York University School of Medicine, where he worked for 42 years. In 2007, he was appointed professor of clinical neurology and clinical psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was also given a position as an “artist” to help connect different disciplines.
Sacks was a consultant neurologist to the Little Sisters of the Poor and had a private practice in New York City. He was also a member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters and a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences.
He received honorary doctorates from multiple universities and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2008. An asteroid, 84928 Oliversacks, was named in his honor.
Editoral Review
Oliver Sacks, a renowned neurologist and author, published his final book, “Gratitude,” in November 2015, shortly before his death. The book is a collection of four essays that reflect on his life and impending death, as well as his gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped him.
The book falls under the genre of creative nonfiction and is written in Sacks’ signature style, which is both introspective and accessible.
The first essay, “Mercury,” recounts Sacks’ experience with cancer and the toxic treatments he underwent to combat it. The second essay, “My Own Life,” is a reflection on his life and work, written shortly after he received his terminal diagnosis.
The third essay, “My Periodic Table,” explores Sacks’ fascination with science and his love for chemistry. The final essay, “Sabbath,” delves into his Jewish faith and his appreciation for the Sabbath as a day of rest and reflection.
These essays are not meant to be a linear narrative, but rather a collection of reflections on different aspects of Sacks’ life. However, they are all connected by the theme of gratitude, which is evident in Sacks’ appreciation for the people and experiences that have shaped him.
Sacks’ writing is poetic and introspective, and he has a talent for weaving together science and personal experience. His descriptions of his illness and treatments are vivid and harrowing, but also infused with a sense of wonder at the workings of the human body.
His reflections on his life and work are both humble and inspiring, and his love for science and literature is infectious.
One of the strengths of “Gratitude” is Sacks’ ability to convey complex ideas in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking. He draws on his own experiences to explore universal themes of mortality, faith, and the human experience.
His writing is both personal and universal, and his reflections on life and death are sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
However, one of the weaknesses of the book is its brevity. At only 64 pages, it is a short read, and some readers may feel that they want more from Sacks.
Additionally, some readers may find the book to be too introspective and may prefer a more linear narrative.
Overall, “Gratitude” is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book that is sure to inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and the people and experiences that have shaped them. It is a fitting final work from one of the most beloved authors of our time.
I would highly recommend “Gratitude” to anyone who is interested in science, literature, or the human experience. It is a book that is sure to inspire gratitude and reflection, and it is a fitting tribute to the life and work of Oliver Sacks.
I would give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on its beautiful writing, thought-provoking reflections, and universal appeal.
