Product Description

"Balanced, authoritative . . . brilliant."  --The London Times

"Written by one of the great clinical writers of the twentieth century, Migraine . . . should be read as much for its brilliant insights into the nature of our mental functioning as for its discussion of the migraine."  --The New York Times Book Review


The many manifestations of migraine can vary dramatically from one patient to another, even within the same patient at different times. Among the most compelling and perplexing of these symptoms are the strange visual hallucinations and distortions of space, time, and body image which migraineurs sometimes experience. Portrayals of these uncanny states have found their way into many works of art, from the heavenly visions of Hildegard von Bingen to Alice in Wonderland. Dr. Oliver Sacks argues that migraine cannot be understood simply as an illness, but must be viewed as a complex condition with a unique role to play in each individual's life.

"I am sure . . . that any layman who is interested in the relation between the body and mind . . . will find the book as fascinating as I have."  --W. H. Auden, The New York Review of Books

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40113 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-05
• Released on: 1999-10-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Inside Flap Copy
"Balanced, authoritative . . . brilliant."  --The London Times

"Written by one of the great clinical writers of the twentieth century, Migraine . . . should be read as much for its brilliant insights into the nature of our mental functioning as for its discussion of the migraine."  --The New York Times Book Review


The many manifestations of migraine can vary dramatically from one patient to another, even within the same patient at different times. Among the most compelling and perplexing of these symptoms are the strange visual hallucinations and distortions of space, time, and body image which migraineurs sometimes experience. Portrayals of these uncanny states have found their way into many works of art, from the heavenly visions of Hildegard von Bingen to Alice in Wonderland. Dr. Oliver Sacks argues that migraine cannot be understood simply as an illness, but must be viewed as a complex condition with a unique role to play in each individual's life.

"I am sure . . . that any layman who is interested in the relation between the body and mind . . . will find the book as fascinating as I have."  --W. H. Auden, The New York Review of Books

About the Author
Oliver Sacks lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

An okay overview of the types of migraine
This is a pretty good review of the varieties of migraines and the various symptoms people experience.
However, it does not actually explain the physiology of migraine; the actual cause of migraine.
It was interesting, but didn't really provide any answers, just descriptions.

Explains a lot
I have suffered from migraines for years, however, many of my experiences were strictly visual: without pain. I have enjoyed reading Dr. Sacks' work before and this book is no exception to the rule. I am an artist. When I saw the color plates showing what other non artists experienced visually during or before a migraine, I was floored. These images explained it all to me. I have seen the same types of things since I was a child.

Interesting book and very helpful to those who "suffer" from migraine. I put suffer in quotes because I enjoy the visual disturbances unless they occur when I am trying to read or online! I am sorry I didn't purchase this book sooner.

the best book on migraine
This is very informative, scholarly and interesting at the same time. I read it and look at the illustrations and am amazed at how many of my life's experiences have been related to the migraine. The condition changes - or can change - throughout a lifetime. I had no idea.