The Man with the Bionic Brain: And Other Victories over Paralysis
"Mukand's lucid, clear prose distills complex neuroscience in a way that is as easy to follow as an episode of 'ER.' His book holds out the possibility of self-reliance for people imprisoned in broken bodies." -TheWashington Post"This is an epic tale, a cliff-hanger, about a young athlete turned quadraplegic who is determined to walk again.  As he retreats into solitude and anger and re-emerges into a love for his friends and family and a trust in his doctor, we follow all his powerful emotions.  Along the way we are told stories of other remarkable recoveries, aided by modern devices.  Whoever has known a stroke victim or someone who's suffered from a spinal injury should read this book for its inspiring but realistic accounts of struggle and triumph."  —Edmund White, author ofA Boy’s Own Storyand the National Book Critics Circle Award–winningGenet: A Biography"This should appeal to general readers, who will find a well-written and moving human story alongside clear, well-explained examples of the latest developments in this medical technology."  —Library Journal“With splendid clarity and profound compassion, Dr. Jon Mukand . . . introduces us to his patients . . . and shares with us the great success of BrainGate, the world’s first brain-computer interface. This is an exciting story, fully accessible and documented yet infused with optimism. It is impossible not to be deeply moved by Dr. Mukand’s generosity and fascinated by his extraordinary tale.” —Kelly Cherry, author ofThe Retreats of ThoughtandThe Society of Friends“This book reads like a powerful novel; the case stories woven into the intense saga of Matthew Nagle grab us and build. Jon Mukand writes science with careful precision and swift clarity and grace. But in the truest sense, this amazing story . . . reads like great science: the human pain, the exacting research, the deep mysteries opened layer by layer, and the steps forward. It is a thrilling and sobering story.” —Ron Carlson, author ofThe SignalandThe Hotel Eden“The Man with the Bionic Brainis a rare and brilliant book: at once a heart-wrenching tale of human courage and a chronicle of incredible scientific advancement. . . . A page-turner of a story.” —Bret Lott, author ofJewelandAncient Highway"In addition to the science and technology associated with the treatment of central nervous-system injuries, the author deftly explores what it means to be disabled, including the loss of body control, dependence on others, and the collision of hope with realistic expectations for possibly inadequate healing." —Booklist