Phineas Gage
Title: Phineas Gage
Author: John Fleishman
Genre: Non-fiction
In 1848, Phineas Gage worked as a Railroad worker in Vermont when he had a terrible accident. Phineas was a foreman of his crew that used explosives when he had an accident that involving his tamping iron and blasting powder. Despite having a live threatening brain injury, Phineas had a complete physical recovery, but his personality was changed forever. His case lead to many important discoveries of the brain.
The theme was luck and whether or not Phineas was lucky or not. John Fleishman, the author, believes that Phineas was lucky for living to many years after his accident. Phineas’ accident could be lucky or unlucky it just depends how you look at it. Having had a metal pole shot though his head and live is lucky, but having this ever happen is unlucky.
I like the part on how Phineas personality changed. It was interesting to learn how he lived so long after his gruesome accident and yet only his personality changed. I give this book three and a half stars. I would recommend Phineas Gage to people interested in the brain and how it works or to a student looking to read a not too boring non-fiction to read.