Matthew

Informative, though there is some pseudoscience

Revisado: 04-17-23

Very interesting book on child prodigies and autism (I have autism myself and am trying to learn all I can about it). However, there was some pseudoscience (“chronic Lyme disease”, infection by “mold and toxins”) that sort of discredited the book in my eye.

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A Story on the Beauties of DS

Revisado: 04-16-23

I am a Registered Behavior Technician who works with primarily autistic children, but since DS children also have behavioral issues this memoir was relevant. I thought it really leaned on the good things that can come from having a child with Down syndrome, and all of the lessons such a child can teach the rest of us. My only complaint would be that Daugherty said several times that his life would be harder had Jillian had severe autism instead of DS- why is he comparing disabilities? All people with developmental disabilities should be considered worthy of love and acceptance.

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An excellent view into the future

Revisado: 01-24-23

I am a big fan of Adam Savage, and he does an excellent job of presenting the ideas for the future in this recording. He also reminded me that the “Maker movement” is still alive, and inspired me to continue on in my creative endeavors. This recording is full of optimism, something that we all desperately need.

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Hilarious and relatable!

Revisado: 01-22-23

I too have the “sexiest of the palsies” (though I am very mildly affected) and hearing about someone else with CP in such a hilarious fashion made me feel like I already was friends with Zach Anner, even though I’ve never met him! The way he’s able to turn hardships and mundanities into humorous opportunities kept me laughing and wanting more! I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

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Helped me understand myself better

Revisado: 08-28-22

I am diagnosed with high-functioning autism (or what would have been Asperger’s by the DSM IV) and this book perfectly described all of the struggles and traits I have grappled with all my life. It’s a thorough look into the traits of the syndrome and its relation to the larger autism spectrum. I’ve read up quite a bit on autism/Asperger’s, but no book clearly identifies it as perfectly as this one.

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Very good advice for the most part, could have been more brief

Revisado: 07-05-22

I for the most part loved this book and will take much of its advice to heart. I particularly resonated with the advice to stay passionate and curious about the world no matter how long you live. I would say that Mr. Robbins is a little perseverative when it comes to the diet aspect of the equation, hammering the point again and again and again. I understand that a plant-based diet is key to a long life, but the book easily could have been at least an hour shorter because of how much he rambled on about it. He also shows a lot of his personal grievances with Western society (as someone else pointed out, Robbins is an “aging hippie”) to an excess and though he tries to deny it, he ends up glorifying the “long-lived” indigenous tribes highlighted in the book (who I’m sure have just as many problems as Western society). Finally, he didn’t seem to provide much advice as to how someone on the typical unhealthy Western diet can switch to a plant-based diet in a sustainable way. I would be very curious as to how to switch my diet as someone who’s kind of in the middle of a typical Western diet and a plant-based diet.

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Great story, didn’t need the identity politics

Revisado: 05-30-22

I really enjoyed this story as a trans man. I at first expected it to be predictable- but it deviated from a lot of cliches and had a properly nuanced ending. In addition, nothing seemed too unrealistic as to Obie as a character or the things that happened to him. However, I was put off by the rampant identity politics that seems to be the all-too-common narrative in the trans community. Just a reminder that not every trans person is extremely far left.

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Amazing story, some issues with the writing

Revisado: 04-08-22

The story behind this book is absolutely incredible and had me hook, line, and sinker as both a disabled person (I'm autistic) and an animal lover. Guide Dogs for the Blind is actually right down the street from where my dad works, so I'm very familiar with the organization. That being said, some parts of the audiobook were poorly written or confusing (such as all of the speeches and interviews tagged on to the end of the audiobook, or the alternation between Michael and his wife's account of 9/11). In addition, Michael is very adamant about some of his beliefs (e.g. that blindness is only a disability because of society, religious beliefs) and I think a lot of the book is heavily biased by his personal beliefs. He also came across as somewhat arrogant, as he likes to boast about the accomplishments that he has achieved in spite of his blindness and his intellectual acumen, in addition to sometimes disparaging sighted people. I understand that he is a gifted man with an amazing survival story, but it came across as somewhat narcissistic. Overall this was an awesome story but how it was communicated could have been better.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Very Inspiring and Informative

Revisado: 11-27-21

I was initially skeptical going into this book, as a lot of “motivational learning” books are not really that profound and just repeat things we already know. But this guy has clearly done his homework, from the examples of genius he provides (some of which I already knew about but that’s okay), to relating his own experience in the projects he’s undertaken. He shows that you don’t have to have a high IQ or even be naturally talented in the subject you’re learning to be able to learn an impressive amount of information in a short amount of time. You just have to have the drive and dedication (and don’t worry, he gives tips on improving that as well). The performance was a little… off at times, but considering it’s the author and not a professional, I was willing to give it a slide. I’ve now created a list of projects I want to do for my own ultralearning purposes, and I encourage you to read this book and do the same.

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Useful tips, terrible narration

Revisado: 11-25-21

I liked the tips offered in this audiobook (I have the Kindle version as well), but the narrator’s voice was SO annoying! I almost wanted to strangle her through my phone!

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