Media Center: ‘River of Consciousness’ by Oliver Sacks

WHO: Oliver Sacks

WHAT: THE RIVER OF CONSCIOUSNESS

WHEN: Published by Knopf October 26, 2017

WHERE: The author was born in London in 1933 and died in New York City in 2015.

WHY: “Fans of the late neurologist have another chance to enjoy this erudite, compassionate storyteller, essayist, and memoirist.”
–KIRKUS REVIEWS


“A tribute to Sacks’s appreciation of all that’s beautifully complex in humans.
Sacks demonstrates the range of his knowledge of evolution, botany, chemistry, medicine, neuroscience, and the arts in this collection of essays he was working on before his death.” –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, a featured boxed review

“It’s impossible not to feel the loss of this amazing thinker.
“Sacks begins with Charles Darwin and continues with pieces on Sigmund Freud, memory, creativity, illness, and consciousness. He alludes to writers who greatly influenced him, such as William James; adds digressive but informative footnotes; and refers to his own books when they provide fuller explorations of topic. The author’s unconventional points of view are potentially the most informative parts of the work. He examines well-known ideas from lesser-known ages — for instance, that Darwin was also a botanist and supported his theory with botanical experimentation.
“Throughout, Sacks displays his marvelous skill with words, rich knowledge of medicine and science and their histories, observational skill, curiosity, and humor. This title gives readers plenty to think about, such as the nature of consciousness and the cultural limitations of science. Every reader will be able to find something to enjoy and appreciate here.”
–Nancy Fontaine, in a starred review for LIBRARY JOURNAL

Media Resources:
About the book and author | Read an excerpt | Download the jacket | Download the author photo

Knopf. 237 pages. $27 ISBN 978-0-385-35256-7

For more information, contact:
Katie Schoder | 212-572-2103 | kschoder@penguinrandomhouse.com