Hallucinations

"Illuminate s] the complexities of the human brain and the mysteries of the human mind." --The New York TimesTo many people, hallucinations imply madness, but in fact they are a common part of the human experience. Hallucinations doubtless lie behind many mythological traditions, literary inventions, and religious epiphanies.Drawing on his own experiences, a wealth of clinical cases from among his patients, and famous historical examples ranging from Dostoevsky to Lewis Carroll, the legendary neurologist Oliver Sacks investigates the mystery of these sensory deceptions: what they say about the working of our brains, how they have influenced our folklore and culture, and why These sensory distortions range from the shimmering zigzags of a visual migraine to powerful visions brought on by fever, injuries, drugs, sensory deprivation, exhaustion, or even grief.