"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Oliver Sacks


I've just finished reading ON THE MOVE and GRATITUDE by Oliver Sacks.  I enjoyed them immensely.  The first, an autobiography and the second he wrote after his terminal diagnosis.

What a privilege for a glimpse into this man's life - the kind of man rarer than rare; a bright star in the sky inhabited by other incredible people circling his orbit.  Sacks was kind and empathic, with a profound curiosity and deep love of the world around him.  Though we have lost his genius, we still have thousands of his writings and studies. In one line in the book, he told of a visit with an old friend and described it as, "the flowering of the moment".  I'll never forget his happy soul.

 In this new age of Dumb and Dumber, it was a pleasure to know about him.  The old book at the top is OLIVER TWIST by Charles Dickens.  It is very old and its pages brown and brittle.  I bought it for $3. at the mall as a gift for my grandson Oliver.  I think I'll have to have his mother read it to him as he isn't called Ollie the Destroyer for nothing.

31 comments:

Frances said...

Oliver Sacks was definitely a very interesting man. I've not read any of his books, but have read many of the long articles and book excerpts that appeared in The New Yorker magazine over the decades.

donna baker said...

I really enjoyed it Frances. He speaks of his life in London, NYC and California.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm not familiar with Oliver Sacks but it sounds like he had a wonderful spirit.
Yup, it's rather discouraging about the Dumb and Dumber era.

angryparsnip said...

This is what I like about blogs. I learned something interesting every day from how to take care of chickens, views of cities and towns I have never visited to wonderful books to read.

cheers, parsnip

donna baker said...

They don't make them like Sacks anymore Sandra. I'd love to sic Teddy Roosevelt on Dumber. He'd skin him alive.

donna baker said...

Parsnip, he had the most interesting life, even up until the end.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Isn't it good when you come across a new book and really enjoy it - and doubly good when you then pass the idea of reading it on to your blog friends. So thank you.

Elephant's Child said...

Oliver Sacks was a rare gem. And still shines, despite his light being extinguished. I will have to track down his autobiography and memoir. Thank you.

donna baker said...

He loved being British and never gave up his citizenship. I hope you'll read it Pat. His family was pretty terrific too.

donna baker said...

I really enjoyed finding out more about him Child. In his own words too. Now I'll have to read his other books.

latabledenana said...

The books sound wonderful Donna..I love the book for Oliver!!

donna baker said...

Very enjoyable and I think Oliver will like Oliver Twist.

Michelle said...

A very thoughtful gift for Oliver.

donna baker said...

I think Ollie will only be able to sit through about a page at a time. He is a whirling dervish.

Down by the sea said...

That sounds a wonderful book to read at the moment, I will have to look it up.
Sarah x

donna baker said...

Very interesting Sarah.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

It's lovely when you read a book that is so moving even though there is such sadness attached .
...... maybe you should wait a couple of years before you give Ollie the Oliver Twist .... I bet Charles Dickens would have made a wonderful character out of Ollie for one of his books if he had ever met him and if he was still alive !!!! XXXX

donna baker said...

I used to read to my son all of the time. He was supposed to read a chapter then me, but most of the time I had to read. I read him TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, CROSS CREEK and many classics, but something tells me Ollie wouldn't sit still for OT. It is a different time with computers and such. I take my grands to a large bookstore for their birthdays to fill up a bag. They love that.

oldgreymareprimitives said...

I'll need to check those out. Just finished the newest Louise Penny. I waited weeks to move up the list at the library. I love her. Now the wait for another...

donna baker said...

Haven't heard of her. I'll have to look her up.

Amanda Summer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda Summer said...

I love to read autobiography and memoir and have heard of Oliver Sacks' genius - will put these on my to buy list.

baili said...

i enjoyed biographies and learn a lot .glad you shared such nice readings .

donna baker said...

You won't regret it Amanda. Congratulations on the podcast. Very exciting. So proud of you.

donna baker said...

I learned much about Oliver Sacks Baili and the neurosciences. Will get his other two popular books today.

Sandra Cox said...

Just stopped by to say hey and hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

donna baker said...

Well, hey back. That is so sweet of you.

Deborah Nolan said...

Dear Donna I am not familiar with this gentleman. Thanks for sharing- I love reading about extraordinary people. Hope you have a super Thanksgiving. Hugs!

donna baker said...

Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful too Deb.

Share my Garden said...

So glad you've moved on from the terrible Trump to the inspirational Oliver Sacks. (Wasn't he delicious as a young man!) I'd forgotten that he was born and educated in England and not an all-out American. Very glad to claim him!

donna baker said...

I am simply ignoring Swampthing. Oliver was one of a kind and yes, gorgeous in his younger days.