Piotr Amsterdamski Books

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NBC SERIES BRILLIANT MINDS • From the bestselling author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat • Fascinating portraits of neurological disorder in which men, women, and one extraordinary child emerge as brilliantly adaptive personalities, whose conditions have not so much debilitated them as ushered them into another reality. Here are seven detailed narratives of neurological patients, including a surgeon consumed by the compulsive tics of Tourette's syndrome unless he is operating; an artist who loses all sense of color in a car accident, but finds a new sensibility and creative power in black and white; and an autistic professor who cannot decipher the simplest social exchange between humans, but has built a career out of her intuitive understanding of animal behavior. Sacks combines the well honed mind of an academician with the verve of a true storyteller.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is a globally recognized figure, yet few know her personal story. In her candid memoir, she reflects on her upbringing in 1950s suburban America and her evolution from a Goldwater Girl to a student activist and controversial First Lady. This narrative chronicles her life in the White House and her enduring partnership with Bill Clinton, navigating love and politics amid personal betrayal and public scrutiny. Growing up during a period of significant social change, she embraced opportunities that were not available to previous generations of women. As she forged her own path, she became a symbol for some and a target for others. Balancing roles as a wife, mother, lawyer, advocate, and international icon, she witnessed pivotal moments in American political history, from Watergate to Whitewater. Notably, she was the only First Lady to significantly influence domestic legislation, advocating for health care, economic opportunity, and children's needs, while also championing women's rights and democracy globally. Her efforts redefined the role of First Lady and played a crucial part in protecting the presidency from impeachment. Intimate and inspiring, this memoir captures the essence of a remarkable woman and her journey to find her voice in American politics.