Prepare to embark on a mesmerizing journey into the captivating world of "Hallucinations," a thought-provoking work penned by renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks. Acclaimed as a "National Bestseller" and hailed as the "poet laureate of medicine" by The New York Times, Sacks delves deep into the realms of altered perceptions and the profound insights they offer into our brains, our folklore, and our culture. In this exploration, he uncovers the latent potential for hallucination that resides within every one of us.

"An absorbing plunge into a mystery of the mind," raves Entertainment Weekly.

Contrary to the misconception that hallucinations equate to madness, Sacks reveals that these sensory distortions are, in fact, a common facet of the human experience. They manifest in various forms, from the dazzling visual phenomena of migraines to vivid visions induced by factors such as fever, injuries, drugs, sensory deprivation, exhaustion, or even profound grief. With a keen eye, Sacks demonstrates how hallucinations have not only shaped mythological traditions, literary creations, and religious revelations but also played a pivotal role in the course of human history.

Drawing from his own personal encounters, a trove of clinical cases derived from his patients, and iconic historical instances ranging from the enigmatic Dostoevsky to the whimsical Lewis Carroll, Oliver Sacks embarks on an investigative odyssey. He seeks to unravel the enigma of sensory deceptions, shedding light on their significance in deciphering the inner workings of our brains, their profound influence on our folklore and culture, and their inherent presence within the fabric of the human experience.