Owner of "the most remarkable mind on the planet," (according to the US's Entertainment Weekly) Daniel Tammet captivated readers and won worldwide critical acclaim with the 2006 Sunday Times bestselling memoir, Born On A Blue Day, and its vivid depiction of a life with autistic savant syndrome. In his fascinating new book, he writes with characteristic clarity and personal awareness as he sheds light on the mysteries of savants' incredible mental abilities, and our own.Tammet explains that the differences between savant and non-savant minds have been exaggerated; his astonishing capacities in memory, math and language are neither due to a cerebral supercomputer nor any genetic quirk, but are rather the results of a highly rich and complex associative form of thinking and imagination. Autistic thought, he argues, is an extreme variation of a kind that we all do, from daydreaming to the use of puns and metaphors.Embracing the Wide Sky combines meticulous scientific research with Tammet's detailed descriptions of how his mind works to demonstrate the immense potential within us all. He explains how our natural intuitions can help us to learn a foreign language, why his memories are like symphonies, and what numbers and giraffes have in common. We also discover why there is more to intelligence than IQ, how optical illusions fool our brains, and why too much information can make you dumb.Many readers will be particularly intrigued by Tammet's original ideas concerning the genesis of genius and exceptional creativity. He illustrates his arguments with examples as diverse as the private languages of twins, the compositions of poets with autism, and the breakthroughs, and breakdowns, of some of history's greatest minds.Embracing the Wide Sky is a unique and brilliantly imaginative portrait of how we think, learn, remember and create, brimming with personal insights and anecdotes, and explanations of the most up-to-date, mind-bending discoveries from fields ranging from neuroscience to psychology and linguistics. This is a profound and provocative book that will transform our understanding and respect for every kind of mind.
Embracing the Wide Sky: The Enormous Potential of Your Mind
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'Entertaining and informative about an impressive range of subjects . . . EMBRACING THE WIDE SKY is fun and inspirational' (FT Weekend)
'Packed with his clear summaries of fascinating experiments . . . Recent debate has bumped up this book from delightful to vital' (Daily Telegraph)
'What's remarkable is that Tammet's many wanderings always seem measured and logical. . . truly fascinating.' (Guardian)
'The book is full of information such as this, packed with his [Tammet's] clear summaries of fascinating experiments.' (Sydney Morning Herald)
'Far from a one-dimensional prodigy, his is a rich multi-textured intelligence. A beautiful mind.' (Scotsman Magazine)
'Packed with his clear summaries of fascinating experiments . . . Recent debate has bumped up this book from delightful to vital' (Daily Telegraph)
'What's remarkable is that Tammet's many wanderings always seem measured and logical. . . truly fascinating.' (Guardian)
'The book is full of information such as this, packed with his [Tammet's] clear summaries of fascinating experiments.' (Sydney Morning Herald)
'Far from a one-dimensional prodigy, his is a rich multi-textured intelligence. A beautiful mind.' (Scotsman Magazine)
About the Author
Daniel Tammet is a writer, linguist and educator. A 2007 poll of 4,000 Britons named him as one of the world's "100 living geniuses". His website company, Optimnem, has provided foreign language instruction to thousands around the globe. His last book, the Sunday Times bestseller Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant, has been translated into 18 languages. He lives in Avignon, in the south of France.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the second book from Daniel Tammet after his superb memoir `Born on a Blue Day' and whilst it is quite good, it is also lacking a certain something. Don't get me wrong, I found this interesting to read and it had some insightful moments in it, but it is decidedly unoriginal. In fact there is a huge overlap of information with another book I have read recently (`Bounce' By Matthew Syed) which was about sports achievement and excellence. This looks at our brains and how it functions and the outstanding feats it is capable of. The only problem is is that I have previously read virtually all of this information in other books about the brain. However, this is well written, although less intimate than his memoir and offers a unique insight into Daniels savant syndrome. This covers topics such as basic neuroscience, IQ tests, memory, language, number sense, creativity, perception, information in society, the benefits of thinking mathematically and the future of the human mind with insight into injury treatment and linking our minds with technology. There are some diagrams littered throughout to illustrate various points raised which help to clarify. If you haven't read any books about the brain then this will be deeply fascinating and engaging, but if, like me, you have already done some rudimentary reading on the nature and working of the brain then this book will feel slightly anticlimactic and a disappointment. Overall, this is an interesting introduction to our brain, but only for those who are new to the topic.
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Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A gentle and intelligent book comparing autism and the "normal" mind.
30 Mar 2009
By P. Bulmer
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A book about the mind will inevitably cover ideas you have seen elsewhere - don't think that because this book is written by someone on the autistic spectrum you will find it completely weird. And that's the point - Daniel Tammet comes across as interesting, facinated in the world around him and having a far better understanding of autism than the those who have built their careers on the subject.
A particularly illuminating moment for me came with a comment about a study into children with autistic-spectrum disorder, comparing their creativity with a control group. One question was "how would you make this toy more fun?" - the control group did better than the kids with ASD. But as Tammet explains, for someone who sees detail before they see broader issues (and as Tammet says of himself, someone who sees the scratches on the table before they see the table), this is such a sloppily-worded question that it's incredibly difficult to answer. What kind of fun? Fun for whom? When?
Understanding this, and taking savant skills out of the realm of the superhuman & into the real world, is one of the book's key strengths. The principal weakness is that Tammet isn't an incredibly engaging writer and can come across as a bit stiff and stilted at times - but this is in the nature of his brain, so it would be a bit foolish to expect otherwise and considered in this context he writes with great skill. The book challenges preconceptions about autism without being judgmental or confrontational, and has left me thinking quite a bit about the nature of the brain. Well worth the purchase.
A particularly illuminating moment for me came with a comment about a study into children with autistic-spectrum disorder, comparing their creativity with a control group. One question was "how would you make this toy more fun?" - the control group did better than the kids with ASD. But as Tammet explains, for someone who sees detail before they see broader issues (and as Tammet says of himself, someone who sees the scratches on the table before they see the table), this is such a sloppily-worded question that it's incredibly difficult to answer. What kind of fun? Fun for whom? When?
Understanding this, and taking savant skills out of the realm of the superhuman & into the real world, is one of the book's key strengths. The principal weakness is that Tammet isn't an incredibly engaging writer and can come across as a bit stiff and stilted at times - but this is in the nature of his brain, so it would be a bit foolish to expect otherwise and considered in this context he writes with great skill. The book challenges preconceptions about autism without being judgmental or confrontational, and has left me thinking quite a bit about the nature of the brain. Well worth the purchase.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Linda Carter
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Daniel, has done us the honour of letting us into his world, and showing us that there are a plethora of ways of percieving the world we live in. Get your assumptions busted and find some new ways of thinking.........
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Mr Smith
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed Born on a Blue Day and the first few chapters of this book continue in the same vein: a charming and fascinating tour around the brain and its workings, this time looking at "normal" brains as much as Daniel's own, and expanding to include other writers' and scientist's views as well as Daniel's experiences. I have seen a lot of the content elsewhere and in places this book did seem to take claims at face value rather than critically evaluating them if they fitted with the author's world view.
The writing is straightforward and functional rather than inspired, but by no means dull or clunky. The concept of using autistic experiences to better understand non-autistic minds works well and there are some interesting ideas presenting in a simple and accessible pop-sci way.
Where it all started to fall apart for me was around Chapter 8 where the focus moved beyond the brain and started to look at wider social issues. In this section complex issues were addressed from a surprisingly elitist, simplistic and close-minded perspective which made for an irritating and uncomfortable read and ultimately spoiled a decent book. I've never enjoyed being told what to think, particularly where the basis is a gross over-simplification of a complex issue. To usefully understand our shades-of-grey world you need both intelligence, and the ability to tolerate ambuguity, and I think the latter is what is missing from this book and costs it a star or two.
The writing is straightforward and functional rather than inspired, but by no means dull or clunky. The concept of using autistic experiences to better understand non-autistic minds works well and there are some interesting ideas presenting in a simple and accessible pop-sci way.
Where it all started to fall apart for me was around Chapter 8 where the focus moved beyond the brain and started to look at wider social issues. In this section complex issues were addressed from a surprisingly elitist, simplistic and close-minded perspective which made for an irritating and uncomfortable read and ultimately spoiled a decent book. I've never enjoyed being told what to think, particularly where the basis is a gross over-simplification of a complex issue. To usefully understand our shades-of-grey world you need both intelligence, and the ability to tolerate ambuguity, and I think the latter is what is missing from this book and costs it a star or two.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By regodibay
Format:Paperback
I view books about 'geniuses' with jaded suspicion. They either seem to be trite how-to manuals for 'awakening your own genius', or sycophantic biographies about particular people, in which we as normal people are expected to join in the admiration. There is a taboo in our society about talking about what it is like to be highly intelligent (one might as well shout,"I am vain!" and be rightfully pilloried for it) but I think in the right context there is plenty to say.
Tammet's book is a refreshing look at intelligence in a popular science format. It challenges some of the myths about IQ and savants, and happily gives a few pointers to follow for the reader who would like to understand their own neurological quirks. As others have noted, the book could have done with a bit more aggressive editing at the end, but I think the central thesis of intelligence as the deep interconnection of neurons (and concepts) is an important one.
My only other contention with the book is that 111 is not a shiny bright number. It's one of the darkest around.
Tammet's book is a refreshing look at intelligence in a popular science format. It challenges some of the myths about IQ and savants, and happily gives a few pointers to follow for the reader who would like to understand their own neurological quirks. As others have noted, the book could have done with a bit more aggressive editing at the end, but I think the central thesis of intelligence as the deep interconnection of neurons (and concepts) is an important one.
My only other contention with the book is that 111 is not a shiny bright number. It's one of the darkest around.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Embracing the Wide Sky
I bought this book for myslef as I have been reading a lot of books about Aspergers or books written by people with Aspergers. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jill Hardcastle
2.0 out of 5 stars
Embracing a singular point of view
It was the poem by Emily Dickinson quoted in the introduction that drew me to this book, which begins 'The brain is wider than the sky. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. T. Meddle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Embracing the Wide Sky
An excellent and informative book, recommended to all interested in this subject. Arrived promptly and in great condition. Great price too!
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Adnan Al-mahrouq
2.0 out of 5 stars
copycat sevant
I read this book a while ago and thought it was rather vague .just read'Moonwalking with Einstein'and realised why. Read more
Published 20 months ago by bucky
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok if your into language
found his writing hard going book did not flow as well as his first. But I like him very much
Published 24 months ago by angel yildiz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but unoriginal
This is the second book from Daniel Tammet after his superb memoir `Born on a Blue Day' and whilst it is quite good, it is also lacking a certain something. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2010 by Spider Monkey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Genius Savant
Yet again Mr Tammet has managed to totally amaze me. In his first book `Born on a Blue Day' he introduced himself as an exceptional individual who had overcome a debilitating... Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2009 by Quintax
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and inciteful, just not particularly engaging.
This isn't an un-put-downable read and yet I felt it should have been. I don't know what didn't engage me about it, but despite that, it was a very interesting look into autism,... Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2009 by Jonathan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Embracing but not fully tying together.
Embracing the Wide Sky is an excellent book that should exist in the pop science realm purely for the fact that while Tammett has written coherently about many subjects that all... Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by D. T. Brunetti
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