In 'Gratitude,' renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks reflects on his life, sharing poignant essays that reveal his profound appreciation for existence. As he confronts his terminal diagnosis, he offers insights into the beauty of everyday moments and the power of gratitude. Each page is infused with Sacks' signature warmth and wisdom, inviting readers to contemplate their own lives and priorities. With eloquent prose, he encourages us to find joy and meaning, even in the face of mortality. This intimate collection serves as a heartfelt reminder to celebrate life and the connections we share.
By Oliver Sacks
Published: 2015
"I have been a recipient of a great many blessings, and I am grateful for each one of them. In my old age, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of life and the preciousness of each moment."
“My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.” —Oliver Sacks No writer has succeeded in capturing the medical and human drama of illness as honestly and as eloquently as Oliver Sacks. During the last few months of his life, he wrote a set of essays in which he movingly explored his feelings about completing a life and coming to terms with his own death. “It is the fate of every human being,” Sacks writes, “to be a unique individual, to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death.” Together, these four essays form an ode to the uniqueness of each human being and to gratitude for the gift of life. “Oliver Sacks was like no other clinician, or writer. He was drawn to the homes of the sick, the institutions of the most frail and disabled, the company of the unusual and the ‘abnormal.’ He wanted to see humanity in its many variants and to do so in his own, almost anachronistic way—face to face, over time, away from our burgeoning apparatus of computers and algorithms. And, through his writing, he showed us what he saw.” —Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal
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“I have been a recipient of a great many blessings, and I am grateful for each one of them. In my old age, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of life and the preciousness of each moment.”
Gratitude
By Oliver Sacks
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Oliver Sacks (1933-2015) was a British neurologist, naturalist, and bestselling author known for his compelling narratives that bridge the gap between science and human experience. His notable works include "Awakenings," which recounts his experiences treating patients affected by encephalitis lethargica, and "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," a collection of case studies that explore the intricacies of neurological disorders. Sacks' writing is characterized by its empathy, storytelling prowess, and meticulous attention to detail, which allow readers to connect deeply with the lives and challenges of his patients.
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