Musicophilia (2007) by Oliver Sacks tells the stories of people with neurological conditions that involve music, and a study of the human brain and music in general. The book relies largely on case studies of Sacks’ patients and others in the annals of medical literature, and more uniquely on Sacks’ own experiences. Cases include people who have musical hallucinations more powerful and persistent than the ordinary earworm, people with physical and neurological disorders who excel at music, and the unique role of music in therapy.
I found the book repetitive both within itself and to the previous Sacks’ book I’ve read The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. It’s as if Sacks just keeps piling on examples of the same or similar disorders without really coming to a conclusion or a big picture. I guess I expected more from this book, and Sacks certainly has fascinating stories to share, but I think he needs a ghost writer.
Musicophilia unabridged library edition by Oliver Sacks. Books on Tape (2007), Audio CD
Panorama of the Mountains 