GENRE: Non-fiction
HONORS: None
REVIEW: On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage went to work as usual. He was a foreman of a construction gang for a railroad in Vermont. Unfortunately, his life was about to be changed forever. An explosion sends his sharp tamping iron through his left cheekbone, behind his left eye, through his brain, and out his forehead. Miraculously, Phineas walked away from the accident and after ten weeks, he went home. Unfortunately, though he is alive, he has been changed by the accident. The damage that the tamping iron did to his brain affected his personality. He went back to work but was unable to stay there because of his behavior. After spending some time with his doctor at Harvard Medical School Phineas disappeared for several years in Chile. Phineas returned to the U.S and lived with his sister until his death in 1860 from complications resulting from the accident 12 years earlier.
OPINION: Gruesome is right. I found myself cringing at some of the descriptions and pictures about this horrific accident. At times, the book got too technical for me. I enjoyed more of the story aspect of it and what actually happened to Phineas before and after the accident. I wish more was known about his life after the accident. This is truly a fascinating story about how this event helped brain science develop. I left the book feeling very sorry for Phineas Gage who, although he survived the accident, was forever changed by it. I imagine boys especially who are interested in science, the brain, or just gruesome topics will enjoy this book.
IDEAS: This book would tie in well with a study of the brain. There are other books, articles, websites, and videos related to Phineas Gage to read and look at.
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