SACKS, Oliver [Author] (1933-2015); BESTERMAN, Audrey [Illustrator] (1921-2011). Migraine The Evolution of a Common Disorder With a Foreword by William Goddy. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press 1970. 1st Edition. 8vo (225x145m), 298pp. Near Fine. Original blue cloth binding with gold gilt lettering and decoration on the spine. This copy is in superb condition with very few blemishes of which to speak. There is a small, non structural cut to the top right corner of the dust jacket, minor knocks to the head and base of the spine of the jacket and a small piece of paper stuck to the spine.  There is a pencil mark at the bottom of the dustjacket front flap and rubbing to the rear of the jacket visible in some light. Pencil marks from a previous owner or bookseller on the front free endpage, but this is the only comment on the interior. The textblock is in pristine condition with no evidence of foxing. The block is also square, and the tightness of the pages suggests to me this is an unread copy. The book is illustrated by the excellent  scientific/medical illustrator Audrey Besterman, who trained at Guy’s Hospital in London and illustrated many titles for Faber and Faber throughout her career.

This is a first edition of the first published book by arguably the most significant science communicator of the 20th/21st century. Dr Oliver Sacks was a neurologist who published extensively his observations working with patients with often obscure neurological symptoms. Dr Sacks was first brought to the attention of the public when his work with catatonic patients was published in “Awakenings”, before later being turned into a film starring Robin Williams. Dr Sacks is likely best known for his book “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat”, which is often cited by current neuroscientists and neurologists as being the book that inspired their interest in the subject - this was certainly the case for me, Dr Sacks played no small role in inspiring me to pursue neuroscience as my undergraduate and postgraduate studies! This is a copy of his more scholarly first published work on Migraine, in which Sacks details extensively the history of the condition and details the treatment available, while also making the book engaging by involving historical and artistic references.