736 entries.
M
from Hamburg
Dear Dr. Sacks,
Your books make my heart sing. I have yet to read all of them, but I've read most of your earlier works. You don't know me personally, of course, but you are a great friend to me in my mind, and "you" and I have a lot of very fruitful and helpful conversations!
There are so many wonderful qualities that you have that I could rave on and on about. But since many people in this Guestbook already describe them better than I could, I'll limit myself to a recent favorite that has inspired a mini-rebellion in me.
I recently cheered out loud in the train when I came across the passage in your autobiography, where you off-handedly mention that a medical colleague, Ralph Siegel, spotted you by your non-stop writing throughout a concert at Carnegie Hall.
My Bachelor's degree was in music performance. Although I have not followed the path of a musician or even anything tangentially related to music (except perhaps marrying a musician!), it was a great choice for me at the time and has enriched my life immensely.
But I've always felt very guilty about one thing in my musical life, and still suffer from it. Listening to a beautiful piece of music, especially live orchestral music, somehow facilitates clearer and more powerful thinking for me (perhaps you explain this phenomenon in "Musicophilia," which is next on my list).
During concerts, this creates a rather ironic cycle; my brain is working on overdrive, but I have no tools with which to record my thoughts. I become desperate to leave so that I can record them in a more "socially appropriate" setting! But when the music is over, its magic fades, and the intellectual inspiration with it.
It creates a terrible tension in me during live performances, and has made me somewhat hesitant to attend concerts, even ones I know I would love (and be inspired to write from)!
But I think from now on I will happily bring my notepad to these events and let the ideas simply come out. And if anyone comments or criticizes, I will say proudly that Dr. Oliver Sacks also finds concerts very inspiring and brings HIS notebooks to record his thoughts, and who wouldn't want to be like him?
Thank you, Dr. Sacks, for the deep compassion you've brought to all aspects of your career as a writer and a doctor. I'll be thinking of you, especially at the next concerts I attend, notebook and pen in hand. I wish you peace and happiness in the time you have left, however long it is!
And happy belated birthday!
Rebecca
from Vancouver
Dr. Sacks,
Like many others here, I have been moved by your work. I don't intend to sound hyperbolic, but I believe you may be the living thinker who has most influenced and affected my life. As a neuro-diverse person, your writing has always provided me with an analytical space that feels safe and encouraging. I have long felt that many of the unusual experiences and perceptions that I have had fall within a continuum of potential neurological states and, as such, should not be defined by their supposed alterity. Without reading your books, I don't know if I would have arrived at this affirmation, which has been a sort of antidote to defensiveness and even nihilism for me. In fact, I don't really know who I would be at all, because sensation, perception and art have become my world and my work. My difference became my strength, my confidence and my solace.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Rebecca
Carol
from Atherton, CA.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVER!
What a gift to Life on this precious planet, that you were born!
For the past week I've been sitting in my 46 yr old son's hospital room holding a healing vigil for him. A week ago he was burned over more than 30% of his body in a fire that destroyed his home. Today's 2nd of 6 surgeries removed the last of his dead skin. This morning before i left for the hospital, I read the perfect and timely "Brain Pickings" in tribute to you and your birthday. Reading about your experience on the Norwegian fjord mountain, with the bull, your fear, the music, and your dear leg...it was truly enlightening and inspiring. just what this mother needed.
With a grateful heart~and a deep bow, I wish you one heck of a beautiful journey~ Carol
Bronwyn Fryer
from Montpelier
I just want to say how much I love you. I am so grateful for all you are, for your marvelous and unique sensibility, for all you have given to us. Big hug.
richard donison
from windsor ontario canada
I am so sorry you must endure your serious illness. I have oft wanted to tell you this, and to share other things with you--such as my love for daily swimmimg--but I was afraid to do so due to previous correspondence and problems of my own which I have tried to work through,over many many years. I just want you to know that I think of you Mr. Oliver Sacks,especially as I swim here in the pool each morning--and how vitally important that is and to keep up on an even and balanced approach to my life which, like yourself also, contains much solitude---either through circumstance or personal choice in my own little life.
Some of the books you wrote have inspired me a lot, may I say. Uncle Tungsten, The Island of the Colorblind, and other articles were mesmerizing to me--such a rich and variously interesting childhood you had, full of high curiosity and love. A lucky and gracious man you truly are.
Happy Birthday, Oliver Sacks!
Vickie Petkovic
from West Plains, MO
Blessed birthday and many heartfelt thanks to you for all the wonder you have shared and light you have shed. We love you.
Clare Joy
from Darien, CT
Dr. Sacks, my daughter, Susan and I met you after you spoke at Fairfield University. We had just returned from visiting my other daughter, Louise in Austin, TX where my son-in-law, Jeff had participated in the "Ride for the Roses." While we were there we met up with Robin Williams who, upon our second encounter, remembered that I was a cancer survivor. You said that upon returning home one evening you found a large box on your porch and in it was a bike which Robin had sent you. You graciously signed your book, one of my favorites, "Uncle Tungsten," and I will treasure it forever. I remember watching a program on TV several years ago where you and he were sitting next to each other and he was "doing you"--as only Robin could. I am reading "On the Move" now--I don't want it to end!
I especially wanted to write to you today as I know it is a very special day for you. Happy Birthday, Dr. Sacks! I keep you in my prayers.
Best wishes,
Clare
Joyce Ucci
from Jamesville, NY
Birthday greetings to my favorite neurologist! Your books: A Leg to Stand On and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat captured my attention during the 80's. Now with the advent of On the Move, your whole complex personality has come forth with passion, warmth and sensitivity. Thank you for sharing and giving so much.
Lynn Dion
from New York
9 July 2015 -- Happy birthday to you, Dr Sacks. My best wishes today for your comfort, and for your pleasure in everything you meet with your senses and your extraordinary mind.
CS
from Austin Texas
Dearest Dr. Oliver Sacks,
I spent this morning, like most of my working mornings, painting in my studio whilst entertaining my ears with something. This morning it happened to be Radiolab's "Heart" podcast from this previous spring. I have heard your contributions to the show over the years, but today I was so moved by your life story. You are so uniquely and profoundly sweet and funny. You are the epitome of what humanity should be--kindness, acceptance, and progression in a world that could use a bit more indigo. It's so easy to see how someone would "conceive a deep love for you." What a beautiful sentiment.
After the episode, I was hoping to find an update on your health, but instead found that today is your 82nd birthday. I know our lives are all just supposed to be a little bit of cosmic dust in the grand scheme of things, but what a grand bit of stardust you are.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Sacks.
With Admiration,
CS
Diane Martin
Happy Birthday, Dr. Sacks!
I just read on The Writer's Almanac it was your birthday...googled how to wish you a happy birthday...hope you get this...I have read much of your work, former R.N. and a dabbling writer too. Our local paper posts an interview to a local in our Sunday paper and one of the questions is always, "Who would you like to have dinner with? " I would answer OLIVER SACKS !
Blessing to you...Diane
Kati
from Durham, NC
Dr Sacks,
I entered school for occupational therapy in my 30s after an illustrious career as a bartender. I felt overwhelmed, to say the least. In our first semester we had Neurology, which felt completely unknowable at the time. I am a huge Radiolab fan, and to my great relief the episode about the various effects of stroke was rebroadcast that semester. I began reading your books and not only was Neurology transformed from a house of horrors into a maze of wonder beckoning me forward; I have gone on to a successful and satisfying career working primarily with stroke patients in their homes. You are an inspiration and I couldn't have done any of it without your help! Bravo to you, and I wish you peace and adventure on your journey.
Walter Nilson
from Tübingen
Happy birthday to you, Sir.
Kevin
from Memphis
Happy Birthday, Dr. Sacks!
May your birthday be filled with the sights, sounds, smells and flavors, and the memories of a life well lived. May it be shared with loved ones who share the joy and wonder that you obviously see in the world. Enjoy a good swim! May it buoy your spirits and invigorate your body.
Know that your work makes the world a better place and that you are cherished from afar. Thanks for making my life more complete, useful, insightful, happy!
Sincerely,
Kevin
amy
Happy birthday, Dr. Sacks!
Judith Resnick
from Harrington Park, NJ
Dear Dr. Sacks,
When my son told me you had visited his office for an audiology consult I was so happy he had had an opportunity to meet you. I have wished, many times, that I could have had the opportunity to sit with you for an hour to talk about books, and music, and swimming. Your writing has always touched me very deeply but none as much as your article in the NY Times regarding your illness. I wish you much time to enjoy everything that you want to do. And know that you are loved and admired by so many.
Pamela stern
from Oceanside, NY
I wanted to share with you my olfactory nerve hallucinations. I've been struggling for months with these horrific odors and tastes. There seems to be no end, it's completely debilitating. You're extremely knowledgeable with hallucinations, I wanted to know if you have ever studied these, apparently nerve damage to the olfactory nerve is rare, and medications don't seem to be treating this phantosmia, please contact me, it would greatly be appreciated.
Reply from the Sacks office: Yes, Dr. Sacks does include a chapter on olfactory hallucinations in his book HALLUCINATIONS. Unfortunately, it is a largely uncharted territory.
Jean
from Bethesda MD
Yesterday I checked your book out of the library. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and returned to your travels through Canada and into California. Your writing style is very candid. I've friends who probably crossed paths with you in California and London! The bits about Norton bikes were fantastic. I'm looking forward to finishing your book. Thank you for your stimulating mentions of so many ancillary things -- music, other books, places, etc. It's the thing I LOVE about reading, so thanks for writing your book.
Sandra Bannister
from Santa Rosa
Dear Dr. Sacks,
I’ve been an insatiable admirer of your work since I first read The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat in 1986. I bought it as soon as it arrived at the local bookstore, devoured it, and I’ve been following your work ever since.
At university I chose both Tourette’s syndrome and bipolar mood disorder as topics for one of my senior year presentations. My undergrad major was psychology. I was an older student with two teenage sons and I was thrilled, challenged, so eager to learn what wondrous thing you had to teach. And of course, today, at 63, I still am.
I feel an affinity with your compulsion to write everything down, ask questions, and follow your curiosities into research. Since my 20's I’ve been writing copious descriptive notes, life observations, into hardbound blank books, my journals. I can’t stop myself. I, too, write in bus stops and coffee shops, on the backs of found envelopes. There’ll be quite a bonfire when I die.
I am now reading your memoir On The Move, and I’m purposely slowing my pace. I don’t want it to end, and I don’t want you to end.
I’m in a book club and for the book of the evening this June I picked your memoir, your life.
And what a life. On my own as a young mother, and through out the years, I discovered and consumed Stephen Jay Gould, Francis Crick, and also marveled at the brilliant, erudite, charmingly grumpy Jonathan Miller. And here you are putting my favorite people together, creative thinkers, writers and artists, people I could only dream of meeting, into your book, and so easily interacting with them in your life. Your magical life.
The evening of the book club we ate terrific smoked salmon and canned sardines (we read these are your favorites; we passed on the pickled herring), drank wine and discussed your many books, adventures and exciting, curious passions, and we all agreed how happy we are that you have found love at last.
With admiration,
Sandra
Miriam Kuttner
from Melbourne Australia
Dear Dr Sacks,
I have just completed reading On the Move, which I found to be a wonderful journey through your professional and personal life. I have enjoyed reading your books since we read Awakenings in our book group many years ago. I work in adult psychiatry and appreciate the depth and thoughtfulness in which you present your clinical work. The quote from Luria that "the ability to describe what was so common to the great neurologists and psychiatrists of the 19th century is lost now, perhaps because of the basic mistake that mechanical and electrical devices can replace the study of personality" made me smile. It reminded me of another quote by Einstein that I am not quoting accurately but was about that we measure things that are not important and are unable to measure things that are important.
