Head Cases - Stories of Brain Injury and it's Aftermath is the first of three books that I purchased at Powell's. The first that I have finished reading that is. I had to go to Powell's twice to get it. I meant to look for a book on brain injury the first time I was in the book store, but I....forgot. Hence the book. Speaking of memory, I had a hard time remembering the author's name. John William Donald? Or was it Bill Daniel Aaron? The man has a lot of first names, but no last name. How is a brain patient to remember?
I enjoyed the book. I must have, to have finished it already. Mr. Mason is a brain injury case manager, which is an interesting position in itself. Each chapter is the story of a person with a brain injury. Collectively, there were two themes: brain injuries suck, and the U.S. health care system is sorely lacking in their care. So no news there. The stories also included Mason's accounts of meeting each patient, and of course, what happened to them. In some cases, he also includes a theme, which felt a bit forced. For example, in the story of Pony Soldier, a native American who ends up in jail for a crime he can't remember, the good stuff is mixed with Mason's personal trip to a sweat lodge. It feels a bit contrived. Yet the story of Pony Soldier is captivating.
I'm certainly planning to read a few more books on this topic. Any recommendations?
Overall: B+
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