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Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism | 
 enlarge | Author: Roy Richard Grinker
Publisher: Basic Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $7.45
You Save: $8.50 (53%)
New (38) Used (15) from $3.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 27217
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 0465027644
Dewey Decimal Number: 616
EAN: 9780465027644
ASIN: 0465027644
Publication Date: January 28, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New Book. Fast Shipping. May have small remainder mark.
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Product Description
When anthropologist Richard Grinker’s daughter was diagnosed with autism in 1994, it occurred in only about 1 in every 10,000 children. Within ten years, rates had skyrocketed, and the media was declaring autism an epidemic. Unstrange Minds documents Grinker’s quest across the globe to discover the surprising truth about why autism is so much more common today. Grinker shows that the identification and treatment of autism depends on culture just as much as on science. Filled with moving stories and informed by the latest science, Unstrange Minds is a powerful testament to a father’s quest for the truth.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Of Two Minds on This Book July 24, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As a social scientist, I found this book to be superlative. The breadth of analysis and critical thinking is truly impressive.
As a mother of a child who's been diagnosed as high functioning on the autism spectrum disorder, I found this book lacking. I probably don't have a stronger visceral reaction because my son is doing really well and the interventions we've provided for him have worked wonders over the past 12 months. He'll be four in the fall and he appears very neurotypical.
It's difficult for me to recommend this to the small group of women I know whose children are on the spectrum. We have a listserv and I think they would be insulted if I mentioned this book. While Dr. Grinker has had time and perspective to write this book, there are many parents who are too close to the issue to appreciate what Dr. Grinker is trying to say.
While I laud Dr. Grinker's work as an anthropologist, I don't see the applicability for many parents whose children are on the spectrum. Some of us are worried sick and don't have the luxury to look at the 30,000 mile high view of how autism has been defined and is being battled worldwide.
 A Good Read for Students of Psychology & Sociology July 7, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
An anthropologist and father of an autistic child presents fascinating information on historical, cultural and personal aspects of autism spectrum disorders. Stories from parents in cultures very different from America, like Korea and India, are both interesting and sometimes shocking and heartrending--but the book finds positive progress to be the rule of the day in every place that autism has been recognized as a separate disorder from psychosis and mental retardation. Most moving are the author's own stories of his family. There is much in their experience that would be helpful to other families dealing with autism, if they encountered this book among the growing body of literature about, by, and for parents of autistic children.
 Unstrange Minds May 2, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had to read this book for Professor Grinker's Anthropology class at GW. Despite being mandatory, I found the book to be very interesting--demonstrating a new view of autism from both a statistical and personal perspective. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the disorder.
A Must-Read! December 8, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a must-read book - not just for those with an interest in autism but for anyone with a heart. It is full of information on the history, treatment, and prevalence of autism spectrum disorders but it is also the story of the author's daughter and the sons and daughters of others throughout the world who struggle with autism. Grinker shows us the love and devotion - and sometimes utter exasperation - of parents everywhere trying to meet the challenge of finding the best treatment, support, and education for their children. Anyone with a uniquely challenging child will be inspired and comforted. But the book should also strengthen our resolve as a society to find the tools we need to treat autism and improve the lives of individuals and families struggling with the disorder. This is an important book and I highly recommend it.
Fascinating and captivating! July 24, 2007
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I would like to start by saying I don't know a lot about autism, I don't have autism, and to the best of my knowledge, don't know anyone with autism. I got interested when I read the book "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" which was amazingly written and extremely interesting to me. I was listening to NPR one night when Grinker came on doing a book reading/Q&A about his new book "Unstrange Minds." I immediately picked up his book and haven't put it down. I'm not a huge fan of nonfiction, but this book really kept my attention. The writing is superb, the stories are heartwarming, and the anthropology is fascinating. The first part of the book includes his anthropology background and discussions of how different cultures and peoples define, diagnose, and treat different illnesses. The second half is an endearing story of how him and his wife (and their younger daughter) have lived and grown with their autisic daughter. It's beautifully written and gives hope for the future of autism diagnosis, awareness, and treatment.
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