Reviews (31)

One tough story more than an insight into autism
Well, if you want to get more of an idea of autism, where better than from the autobiography of an autistic woman?
Donna Williams' Long & Winding Road
Donna Williams was very fortunate to know she had autism and was contending with an "unexplained difference" that was really not her fault.She has suffered major losses at an early age.When she was 4, her beloved grandfather died and her grandmother left their home.Her father was not allowed to have any contact with her and her mother was described as suffering from alcoholism and a myriad of phobias.She cherishes the hope that Donna will fulfill her own dream of being a dancer.
Realy great book...
I wrote a reaction paper on this book for my exceptional child psychology class. The book was not only interesting to read but educational since it was an autobiography written by someone who expereinced growing up with autism. I think this is a must read for anyone interested in autism since it gives you an inside perspective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autistic children    3. Autism in children    4. Family relationships    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Mental health    8. Patients    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Williams, Donna,    11. Biography: general    12. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (51)

Completely accurate account on living with short-term memory loss
Ms. Osborn is a godsend to have created this book. I am a survivor of an illness which greatly affected my short-term memory, and although it is difficult for me to remember the details of the book overall, I could 100% relate to each and every sentence as I read it. If you are friend or family to one with short-term memory loss, or if you simply wish to understand life with virtually no short-term memory, read this book. You will have a completely different outlook on life once you do.

An Instructive Read for the Head Injured
This was a well done piece that describes some of the many deficits head injured people suffer. This is particularly valuable since so little literature is available to lay persons interested in head injuries. I found myself clearly identifying with Claudia and feeling very fortunate not to have suffered quite as much as she.

Over My Head
I am Grandmother and Caregiver of a young woman who is a TBI
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. Humor    4. Medical - Physicians    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Women    7. Biography: general    8. Humor / General   

Editorial Review

Like Kurt Cobain, Nick Traina lived for punk rock (his bands made two CDs, Read more

Reviews (186)

A Mother's Heartache
As a Danielle Steel fan since the dawn of her writing career, I've often wondered how she captures emotional anguish so vividly.In researching manic-depression while writing LOVING LARRY, I found the answer apparent in HIS BRIGHT LIGHT.From the heart of a mother she lovingly introduces her children, shares her personal history and bares her soul in this painful account of her son's struggle with manic-depressive illness and its effect on her family.The poignant portrayals she creates in fiction come--at least in part--from heartbreaking first-hand experience.

Steel's best work to date
Widely known for her romantic novels in far off places, Danielle Steel managed to create a career that likely exceeded her wildest dreams. Yet beneath the veneer of gentile refinement, the famous author struggled to help her son Nick Traina, a young man who was taken from Earth before his time. Lucky for him, and for us, Steel didn't let his passing go without triumph for those like him.
His Bright Light Can Save Lives
Danielle Steel wrote this book with a purpose greater than many may realize. As a pure and loving tribute to her son Nick's life and as a direly needed awareness among people about how BPD (Bipolar Disorder, or manic depression) is a disease that kills people, because they do not have proper medical diagnosis or treatment.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Depression    6. Family relationships    7. General    8. Manic-depressive persons    9. Mental Illness    10. Parental Memoirs    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Suicide    13. United States    14. Women authors, American    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (32)

Loved It
I really liked the book. It offers great insights into the life of autistic children.

beuatiful
an illumination of the mind and world of an autistic person which gives the reader an insight into a different, yet constructive way of seeing and being in this world...and the amazing contributions that can be made

Insight!
As the grandmother of a high functioning autistic child, I've learned some insight into how every day events affect my grandson.I'm anxious to read more of Temple's dealing with autism in her everyday life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autistic children    3. Biography    4. Children with Special Needs    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Grandin, Temple    9. Health    10. Patients    11. Rehabilitation    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. United States    14. Disability: social aspects    15. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    16. Psychiatry   

Reviews (19)

Brutally honest and beautiful.
This book is really incredible. It accruately depicts the symptoms and results (on the author himself, his family, his future)of Schizophrenia, an illness that affects 1 out of every 100 people worldwide.
Different from what I expected
From the title, I expected a more encouraging and uplifting story of how this man came to be in control of schizophrenia but, while the voices do eventually stop, I found the majority of this book was neither uplifting or encouraging.
Excellent read, great for book club
We just finished this book in our social work book club. Ken's story was very engaging and enlightenting. It was a page-turner, and very easy to read. This book provided wonderful insight into what it was really like to hear voices and experience the ups and downs of the mental health system over the past three decades. Many of our clients have patient history's similar to Ken and this book reminded us all to be consumer-driven and focused in our work and to continue fighting for better treatment and services for all patients. Ken made a huge impact on the mental health system, and I am thankful this book was published so that we can all remember him and be inspired by his efforts and experiences. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1948-2000    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Mental Illness    5. Psychology    6. Schizophrenics    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Steele, Ken,    9. United States    10. Biography: general    11. Coping with illness    12. Memoir   

Reviews (30)

a fan
This book is amazing and Luke is incredible. He really helps us to know what life is like from the point of view of a teenager with asperger syndrome. I'd highly recommend it.

Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: a User Guide to Adolescence
Good book with practical advice and gives you an understanding of a kids perspective and what they go through.A must read for parents with kids who have Asperger Syndrome.

Thanks for the insights!
I read this book on behalf of myWONDERFUL 4-year-old son who is currently diagnosed PDD(NOS) until they can come up with a better label.I got this read to help me understand where he might be headed and what I might do to help him through adolescence or life in general.The author, a 13-year-old child with Aspergers Syndrome(AS) gave me exactly what I was looking for:A book crammed-full of personal experience for me AND my son to draw on now and in the future. It is useful, hopeful, and humbling.If you have and autism spectrum disorder or if you know anyone who has, read this book.Heck, read it anyway! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1988-    2. Asperger's syndrome    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Children with Special Needs    6. Education    7. Family relationships    8. General    9. Jackson, Luke,    10. Mental health    11. Patients    12. Psychology    13. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    14. Special Education - Communicative Disorders    15. Specific Groups - Special Needs    16. Biography & Autobiography    17. Child & developmental psychology    18. Disability & illness    19. Jackson, Luke    20. Medicine    21. Popular psychology   

Reviews (16)

Hate to burst the bubble....
I purchased this book to gain a better insight about Aspergers.Instead, it left me with many unanswered questions.The book is the equivalent to a boring, monotonous `Dear Diary' that gets stuck in one era: His college years and his interest in music.(This is understandable as the author is terrified of life outside of college, & music is all he knows.)Yet I craved more details, I wanted to know more about Mr. Shores' childhood, his parents, the stims, and the chaos...DETAILS!
Quirky?We are all on the autism spectrum!
I have two young children on the autism spectrum.My constant fear and therefore my constant drive is to help them be independent and happy in their lives.Fortunately, both have very mild forms, one PDD and one autism.So, as I watch and learn from their ways of learning, I find that first, I have many quirks, and then can see those quirks in others.It is a fascinating way to look at the differences in how we all learn.In many ways, we are all on the autism spectrum.
What It's Like On "The Inside"
As the father of a seven year old son who resides at the light end of the Autism Spectrum, I found Stephens book to be one of the very best I have read by someone who resides on The Spectrum themselves. It is also notable as one of the few autobiographical books by a male. Quite simply put, Stephen's forthrightness is wonderfully disarming. And his very unique ability (especially for someone actually on The Spectrum) to relate not only how the world appears to him but also how that reality fits into the one we nuero-typicals live in, shows an oversight I don't encounter in most typical adults. His positive example is nothing short of a godsend. Beyond giving us hope for our sons, daughters and loved ones who reside with Stephen in this very fascinating place, Stephen's book helps to unravel the mysteries we strive to understand every day. And that Stephen has achieved what he has thus far and has dedicated his life to furthering knowledge about and advocating for the individual on The Spectrum is testimony to this wonderful mans character (and to the loving devotion of his mother, his wife and his mentors!). I only hope my son strives to be half the man Stephen Shore has shown himself to be by this book. If you've just had The "Autism Bomb" fall on you - that is to say, just gotten the diagnosis, you owe it to yourself (and your loved one) to pick up this great book and start thinking positively now at the beginning of your journey, about your gifted child. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1961-    2. Asperger's syndrome    3. Autism    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Education    7. Mental Illness    8. Mental health    9. Patients    10. Shore, Stephen M.,    11. Special Education - Learning Disabled    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs   

Reviews (18)

this book is a gift
this book is very inspiring, it motivates the reader to be positive and get in touch with one's good self, and then share this goodness with everyone around.
Superb message and writing
The late Philip Simmons left the world a wonderful gift with this book. I pulled it off the shelf in a very low time and found it to be inspiring in many ways. Simmons was a creative writing teacher and it shows in this work, which is full of beautiful images as well as beautiful ideas.

Writers are like bears...
These short essays are gems of style and content.Phillip Simmons was not an existentialist railing against his suffering, but a Stoic/Buddhist personality that loved his family and loved to climb mountains.He died in 2002.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Religion    4. Religious    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Spirituality - General    7. Religion / Spirituality   

Editorial Review

Once you begin reading Read more

Reviews (150)

The most fascinating non-fiction book I've read in years.
Told with compassion and complete objectivity, Colapinto does a fantastic job of revealing the grief experienced by David and his family, a solid understanding of why decisions were made as they were, and why those decisions should never be made in the same way again.

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Psycho-Social Politics
Well researched and well written page turner.Dr. John Money's theories run counter to his own research for his doctoral thesis.But they brought him a lot of research money and acclaim.They brought his victims a lot of heartaches.What the arrogant pride of one research has done to so many children and their families ought to be criminal.Not to mention the gratuitous sexual posturing to which he subjected his young patients.
A compelling account...
"As Nature Made Him" is a good introduction to intersex issues. I was only vaguely familiar with the term when I picked up the book. After reading this and Jeffrey Eugenides's "Middlesex" I feel much better informed. "Nature" tells an engrossing story about twin boys born in Winnipeg in 1965, a time when transgender issues were seldom mentioned. One of the boys, Brian, is steered to gender reassignment surgery after a botched circumcision. His parents fall under the spell of Dr. John Money, of Johns Hopkins in Baltimore,who at the time held largely unchallenged beliefs that gender was purely an environmental construct.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Canada    4. Case studies    5. Gender Studies    6. General    7. Identity    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Sex change    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Transsexuals    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (29)

Rebuilt.. review
As a cochlear implantee ( I also have an Bionic Ear from Advanced Bionics) I highly recommend this book for any one with a cochlear implant, any candidate, or just anyone who is interested in how this amazing technology has had impact on those of us that either suddenly or over a period of time, became deaf. Michael combines a lot of technological information, along with the emotional journey we CI users go through. His description of becoming cyborg and what that means describes how technology today can have an effect on humans. M ichael is a brilant writer with an engaging style. At times this is not an 'easy read" because of the many references to technology, and his use of a sophisticated vocabulary.. but over all, it adds to the other books that describe the cochlear implant journey.

An interesting and unique book
I enjoyed reading this book. It gives a unique insight into what it is like to use a prosthetic sensory device. Chorost has done a great job of describing the odd sound sensations that he experienced as he learned to use the implant. Since he had spent many years hearing with the aid of amplifiers, he can describe the artificial hearing in terms of sounds that a hearing person can relate to.
An intriguing autobiography of not only restored hearing, but new associations with machine
Author Michael Chrost become a cyborg in 2001, when his new ear was booted up. Born hard of hearing, he became completely deaf in his thirties - and chose to have a computer surgically embedded in his skull to artificially restore his hearing. Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human provides an intriguing autobiography of not only restored hearing, but new associations with machine as a result of silicon and flesh joining, resulting in newfound social issues and ethical concerns.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biotechnology    4. Chorost, Michael    5. Cochlear implants    6. Cybernetics    7. Handicapped    8. Medical    9. Otolaryngology    10. Otology    11. Patients    12. Philosophy & Social Aspects    13. Science    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. United States    16. Science / General   

Reviews (17)

Another Season
I live in alabama and even kind of like alabama football so when we had to read it for summer reading i thought i would like it...i absolutly hated it!!! You could so tell it wasn't written by a pro writer i mean it jumped around from different dates and although i loved how inspirational it was with johnny gene stallings seemed kind of self centered and every time the family was happy moved. i hated how there was no time line and years would pass and then he would go every minute of the next day. i thought it was good how they were so religous and i liked reading it but it is not a book i would really reccomend to anybody just because there are more inspirational books and just better books!! Luv Ya!!

Rich, moving, honest...a life-changing read
There are a lot of great books out there you can read and be entertained in the process.A few of those books will even linger in your memory for awhile after you've finished them.It's more rare to read a book that really touches your heart and mind and provokes a change in your life.
A solid -- if difficult -- story, told by a solid man
I received this book unexpectedly after making a donation to my alma mater, from which Coach Stallings' daughters also graduated. Until then, I didn't even know the story had been written. The book fascinated me from many angles -- as a teacher, as the sister of someone born with a congenital handicap (whose parents were likewise advised to put him in an institution), as a reader of this genre of literature, and most of all, as someone who as a kid knew and adored John Mark Stallings. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Down syndrome    7. Family relationships    8. General    9. Health    10. Patients    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Sports - Football    14. Stallings, John Mark,    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography-Personal Memoirs    17. Biography & Autobiography-Specific Groups - Special Needs    18. Sports & Recreation / General    19. Stallings, John Mark   

Reviews (3)

As a Mom, I Couldn't Relate
I read this when my son was a baby and the book was new. I couldn't relate to ANYTHING about these boys lives. As a woman, I just couldn't relate to their male view of the world. We did not share any interests either. This book might be more appreciated by an adult male relative, professional, or family friend, but I wouldn't recommend it for a teen. It is nice that these two boys with DS are so capable, but their book would be more interesting for someone that shared their viewpoint and/or interests. If you are a woman, read something more uplifting.

Count Us Inby Jason Kingsley, & Mitchell Levitz
This is a book written in their own words by two young men who have Down's Syndrome.They share the ups and down's of their lives .Although my son is only nine, I found this book very helpful because it gave me some preview of things to come. Because the book was written in the boys' own words,it gives a unique picture into the minds and lives of older children with Down syndrome.It also gave some insight into familiar problems, as well as some events that were unique to these boys who authored the book.I found myself wishing that myown son had a close friend to help guide him through the ups and downs that await him in his teenage years.Then I realised that I could actively seek out peers for him to become friendly with at my local Down syndrome chapter, and maybe I couldfind some friends that he could become close with in a similar fashion to the authors of this book. Ihighly recommend this bookto all parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals who work with children who have disabliities similar to Down Syndrome, because the experiences of these boys could cover a broad spectrum of disabilities, not only Down Syndrome.So many books are written from an outsider's prespective. This book comes straight from the sourcel.

irinaz
I first read this book when my son with Down Syndrome was very young.It was extremely encouraging to me to read the very complex and interesting thoughts of two adult men who have Down Syndrome.I wish all teachers would read this book.I think any parent with a child who has Down Syndrome, especially a very young one, would benefit from reading this book.I really fell in love with Jason and Mitchell. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1974-    2. Biography    3. Down syndrome    4. Down's syndrome    5. General    6. Interviews    7. Kingsley, Jason,    8. Patients    9. Psychology    10. Self-Help    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Coping with disability    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (55)

A valuable perspective!
There seems to be some vastly differing opinions on this book and what it actually says.
Gave Me Hope
My husband found Inconceivable while searching Amazon.com for a book that might help me deal with the devastation and hopelessness I was feeling after 3 failed in-vetro attempts.When I first started reading it, I was a little bitter because the author already had a child and was just frustrated because she could not seem to get pregnant with a second child.Being desperate for a first child, I wondered how someone who already has a child could possibly help me, but I kept reading, and after a couple chapters, I realized what her real message is....trust your instincts, your eating habits DO matter, and open your mind to actively research alternative options in addition to the conventional.The bottom line is to do what you think is right for you.What an empowering feeling!

Great Infertility Story
This book is the inspiring story of a woman in her 40s the doctors said would never mother another child.She took matters into her own hands, made some lifestyle changes, read up on Traditional Chinese Medicine, and eventually became pregnant and mothered her own child.It's an easy read, and opens the doors for you to learn more about alternative treatments.If you've been through every Western fertility treatment with no success, read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Family/Marriage    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Indichova, Julia    7. Infertility    8. Infertility, Female    9. Patients    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. Women    12. Health & Fitness / Health Care Issues   

Reviews (21)

A Teacher With Tourette Syndrome (TS)

A true story of real courage
Brad Cohen's first hand account of how he became a teacher despite having Tourette's syndrome isn't great writing, but if you've ever known someone with Tourette's you know how amazing his story is. Happily most people today know what this disease is--as I was growing up with a brother who had it, no one did. If you haven't seen it, it's hard to imagine the noises, tics, cursing, and mental agony of living with this incurable problem. Cohen's book gives an intimate look at what it feels like to have your body taken over by urges that can't be controlled. He also sensitively portrays the distress and confusion of parents who try to deal with a problem for which modern medicine is almost useless. Again we see a situation where young children in the classroom can accept behaviors that the wider world can't tolerate, and Cohen's openness about his problem with these children is the secret of his success. One gets the sense Cohen's life will always be a struggle--although he has many friends there's no mention of a woman in his life, and gaining acceptance with new people is always going to be a risky business. But his courage is amazing. This book should be required reading for any child who doubts his worth as a person because of this terrible disease.

Front of the Class
This was the most amazing book I've ever read. My son was recently diagnosed, and I am so encouraged after reading Brad's book. He is reading it himself now. I am an elementary classroom assistant as well, and am grateful for the insight it provided me in working with students with various disabilities. I think reading this book should be a requirment for all teachers, and anyone working in the school setting, regardless of thier position. Thanks so much Brad! I was so sorry when the book ended, because I enjoyed reading it so much. I am purchasing it as a gift for a teacher as well. I will enjoy telling many people about this very special book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cohen, Brad,    7. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    8. Educators    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Neurology - General    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Popular works    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Specific Neurologic Diseases    15. Tourette syndrome    16. Coping with disability    17. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (25)

I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury
A delightful book which takes the author from a tragedy andlife change to making her new life the best it can be.A wonderful message for those of us having a family member who is a recent traumatic brain injury survivor.It is written with humor but with a valuable message.The chapters are short and written in a manner our TBI survivor is able to read and comprehend it.Thank you for this book.

I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury
A delightful book which takes the author from a tragedy andlife change to making her new life the best it can be.A wonderful message for those of us having a family member who is a recent traumatic brain injury survivor.It is written with humor but with a valuable message.The chapters are short and written in a manner our TBI survivor is able to read and comprehend it.Thank you for this book.

Great for the family of a TBI victim
I never fully understood my dad's head injury, but after reading this humorous story of Kara it made me realize the frustrating effects of brain injury. Just a great book over-all and written on the level of a sixth grader, so it makes it an easy read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1965-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Brain damage    6. Health    7. Medical - General    8. Neurology - General    9. Patients    10. Self-Help    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Swanson, Kara L.,    13. United States    14. Women    15. Biography: general    16. Coping with personal problems   

Editorial Review

Stories of famously eccentric Princetonians abound--such as that of chemist Hubert Alyea, the model for Read more

Reviews (267)

Mathematics and Madness.
_A Beautiful Mind_ by Sylvia Nasar is a fairly interesting biography of mathematician and 1994 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, John Nash, that raises more questions than it answers.Early on in his career, Nash established for himself a reputation for genius; he fearlessly tackled difficult mathematical problems and achieved many astounding results.However, like many geniuses Nash had his eccentricities which may have foreshadowed his later illness.In many ways, Nash was not a very likeable individual, prone to arrogant boasting and often treating those around him less than kindly.Later, when Nash was to recover his sanity, it appears he unfortunately regained many of the early features of his personality that could only be seen in a negative light.For example, while it is difficult to judge him for his treatment of his chronically schizophrenic son (given the inherent tragedy of the whole affair), his treatment of his other illegitimate son is appalling (both before and after his illness).Nash's early involvement in various "homosexual" relationships (including an arrest in Santa Monica for soliciting sexual activities in a men's restroom which cost him his job at RAND) offers another disturbing aspect of his personality that may have foreshadowed his later mental collapse.Like many other mathematical geniuses (including Cantor and Godel) Nash was completely ravished by mental illness and paranoia.In fact, the dividing line between madness and genius does not appear to be clear cut in the least, and the case of John Nash seems to offer further testament to the difficulty of assessing this difference.While Nash was eventually to be diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia tragically resulting in long periods of institutionalization and idleness, failed attempts to resume his career, and eventually becoming a mere phantom of his former self at Princeton University ("the phantom of Fine Hall") engaging in numerological dabbling, his subsequent and totally unexpected recovery of rational thought (a process he compared to dieting) led some to doubt his original diagnosis.In many ways those around Nash faced even greater hardships than he did, particularly his former wife Alicia, forced to hospitalize him repeatedly and met with criticism by both Nash and others, his "mistress" Eleanor, and his mother.All in all it was a very tragic situation, and despite Nash's brash and uncaring personality both before and after illness it is difficult not to sympathize with him throughout most of the book.And, despite the fact that Nash was to regain his sanity for the most part, offer some interesting new contributions (though on a much lesser scale), and win the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work in game theory, realistically speaking this is hardly a "happy ending" (there remains the fact of his chronically schizophrenic though extremely mathematically gifted son, his tragically failed relationships with others, and his own loss of the greater part of his life).