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Not Even Wrong: A Father's Journey into the Lost History of Autism. Paul Collins. Bloomsburg USA. 2005.

Book review by Joel
I found this book at the University Bookstore in Bellevue, Washington. I picked it up several months ago and just got to it. The book jumped out on me, tripped me, forced me to purchase it at a discounted price, then shoved me out the door, and held a small book gun to me as it shouted out directions while I drove. I know it sounds fantastic, but these things really happened.

Paul Collins takes the story of his son Morgan, and juxtaposes stories from the history of autism as he relates the process of diagnosing and caring for Morgan. It is a very good book and a very honest look at how an "average" couple tries to cope with discovering that something about their child isn't normal.

While that story unfolds, Paul is traveling, doing research on a story about Peter the wild boy who was discovered in the Black Forest in the 1700s. Peter was invited to live in Kensington Palace by King George, were he lived until King George died. Although Peter the wild boy did not speak, Paul found, he held a mirror to the great minds of the day and through Peter, they were able to discover more about the men of the day.

After Peter's story, he goes into the history of the diagnostics of autism. Starting with Leo Kanner's and Hans Asperger's research; and up to modern times, and he tells of other famous autists. One character, Henry Darger, spent his free time writing the longest novel in history and illustrating it. There is a neat documentary about his life and his artwork--"In the Realms of the Unreal - The Mystery of Henry Darger". Paul also touches on Temple Grandin's life. Terry Gross' Fresh Air radio program featured Temple Grandin as a guest. Temple wrote Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism, which I'd like to get to some time this year.

I would recommend this one to anyone. It helps to understand the human condition, to understand how far we have come, and how far we have to go.

Joel.



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Do you like this book review? Joel has written for Book Reader's Traverse since its conception in 2004. He often finds his books in unusual places, including hometown shops where he visits, and even dumpsters at times. See his comical bio and picks--Joel's Picks.

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