Indeed, that seems to be his life’s work: examining people with neurological oddities to see how the brain works. His voice is humane and caring, and he seems to value the various patients who have helped him understand neurological oddities. Sacks wears his scholarship lightly and uses an accessible vocabulary.
“Musicophilia” shares many of the fine attributes of Sacks’ previous books, such as “Anthropologist From Mars” and “The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat.” “Musicophilia” is well written and easy to follow, well within the capabilities of an introductory student. He discusses absolute pitch (otherwise known as perfect pitch) and rhythm deafness, which sometimes occurs following left-hemisphere strokes. (Great musical talent is sometimes present, but not always.) He describes individuals with dementia, with seizures, and with aphasia and how these conditions relate to musical skill or interest. For example, Sacks speaks with curiosity and respect about individuals with Williams syndrome, which involves severe developmental disabilities accompanied by a great sociability and a proclivity for music. Oliver Sacks has created another fascinating book that discusses a realm of human nature (the love of music and musical skill) through his lens as a neurologist. Reviewed by Craig Cowden, PhD, Tacoma Community College, Wash.
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