Books About Alzheimer's -- See Richard Taylor's Alzheimer's From the Inside Out

By zeller bach Monday, November 26, 2007

I just read a long review by Ms. Bradley Bursack (or Bursack Bradley, sorry) about a novel called The Almost Moon, and responded that there is another out recently by Lisa Genova, Still Alice. I have yet to read it, and am personally more interested in first-person accounts of those who are in early to middle stages, and as far as one can go. I can definitely recommend a nonfiction book by Richard Taylor, called Alzheimer's From the Inside Out. I have read much of it, and find it helpful, touching, humorous in places, and the writer does a true service to all those dealing with memory loss themselves, or caretaking. There's no doubt that even if you just skip around, alighting on a chapter here and there that catches your attention with his wonderful piece titles, you'll gain understanding of what it's really like to live with progressing alzheimers from a professional who has it himself. Not much pity, Mr. Taylor is too busy recounting events from his life, calling for more services, philosophically questioning himself and others, and explaining how he'd like to be treated. My personal opinion is that every professional and caregiver should read it. I would rather read books like his than works of fiction. Fiction can help us learn lessons by escaping through literature; nonfiction like his can help us better appreciate what's really going on by not escaping. It's a beautiful book, best read a few sections at a time, and in any order.

I hope you decide to post responses about it if you read it.

Zeller

11/27/07 2:03pm

Thanks so much for posting your thoughts on this book.

 

Looking forward to hearing from others who have read this or other resources that could be helpful to caregivers and patients of this disease.

 

All the best, SMM 

Anonymous
Lisa Genova
12/29/07 6:28pm

Hi Zeller,

 

I'm Lisa Genova, author of STILL ALICE.  As a fellow member of DementiaUSA and the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International, Richard and others like him who live with early-onset Alzheimer's helped me to portray Alice's diagnosis, treatment, and life with Alzheimer's as truthfully as possible.  The best feedback I've received about the book are from people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, saying I "got it right."  I hope you'll read STILL ALICE and let me know what you think.

 

Best regards,

Lisa Genova

www.StillAlice.com 

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide
6/19/08 10:27am

I totally agree that I get more out of first hand accounts and I've reviewed Richard Taylor's wonderful book, Alzheimer's From the Inside Out," on this site. The idea behind reviewing novels featuring Alzheimer's is to show that the general population is becoming more aware of the disease. What enters the culture through the doors of fiction, such as novels and movies, often becomes more widely noticed than what enters through accademic or even non-fiction doors. For some reason, I didn't get a response notice on this, or I would have answered sooner. I will be looking for "Almost Alice." It sounds powerful. Taylor's book, so far, is the most excellent first-hand account I've read. I recommend it to everyone.

Carol

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By zeller bach— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 11/26/07