Very interesting autobiography.

I had a chance to see Temple Grandin speak in public last fall. In her talk, she often referred to the HBO movie "Temple Grandin" (with Claire Danes playing the title role), but rarely referred to this book. That may be because Grandin is a spatial and visual thinker, so her ideas really came to life in the film (in a way that isn't possible in a book). In my opinion, the book wasn't as effective at highlighting Grandin's unique experiences as the film. However, I still enjoyed learning more about the life of a woman I respect and admire.

Wow! If you've never heard of Temple Grandin you need to find out about her. She is an amazing woman. A friend told me to rent the movie, "Temple Grandin" from Netflix. I was so in awe as I watched this true story unfold. Temple was born in the 1950's with autism. The doctor told her mother that all they could do for her is to institutionalize her. Her mother refused and made her attend a boarding school. She pushed her from there to go to college knowing how brilliant Temple's mind was. After watching the movie and Temple's success as an adult attaining a master's and doctorate after her bachelor's degree I had to read more. Temple wrote "Emergence" to tell the rest of the story and added more details. If you know someone with autism this is a must-read. It's such an eye-opener as to how people with autism view the world. If you don't know anyone with this disorder you should at least watch this inspirational movie. Temple also has a gift to know how animals feel and view things in this world. She's written several books about how to make our pets feel loved and safe. She received her degrees in animal science.

Temple Grandin has autism. This - her first autobiography - is more complex a work than I expected from someone with autism, and also a more simple work than anything written by most people who study it. That Grandin is able to write a narrative of her life is an incredible achievement, due in no small part to her mother's diligence in finding great teachers for her daughter. It's also indicative of the fact that autism can "improve" over time - or at least an individual with autism adds to their store of knowledge across the span of their lifetime, and that gives them a better chance at anticipating the correct behavior in a social setting, or hitting commonly accepted markers in the act of telling a story. As Grandin would put it, every day of her life sees her adding to the visual index in her brain - more video of more social situations with more people acting in more varied ways. The more entries in her personal library, the more choices Grandin has. Grandin intellectually decides, after consulting her index, how to react to situations that individuals without autism would react to without a thought. It's in learning how Grandin makes sense out of her world that autism becomes something more than a collection of studies into psychology, neurology, and biology, and instead becomes an experience of life as valid and meaningful as any other.

There's a general simplicity to Grandin's storytelling that makes this a quick read -- there are also numerous repetitions of phrasing and story which would, in another book, be endlessly frustrating and easy to describe as 'bad writing.' Here, however, they serve a different function - they make it possible to see, in the way Grandin writes, the act of her searching her mental index for a story that demonstrates X, and in accessing it, needing to tell the story exactly the same way every time. The limits, challenges, and gifts of her condition are illustrated in her prose, not just by it. It's a fascinating introduction to autism as lived, not simply autism as observed.

True story of a very remarkable woman.

Temple Grandin succeeds in pulling her audience into her world. That world is as mysterious to those of us who are "normal" as an alien planet is to earthlings. We can now understand a little better what is going on in the mind of an autistic person. I highly recommend this book, especially for all of us who are blessed to have an autistic loved one in our families.

Slightly dated, but absolutely essential.

Okay, so Temple Grandin probably has Asperger's and not autism. However, I still really enjoyed this book. It sheds light on what living with an autistic-spectrum condition. Many have complained that it is slightly repetitive and difficult to get through, but that should be an insight into her mind.
Interestingly, I really relate to Temple, if only through her anxiety.

Everyone should read this book, I don't care who you are or how much interest you have in the subject. It's a quick read. Just read it!

Why? It's a window into a sensory world that is unlike the one most of us live in. Sensory issues exist to some degree in a lot of people. You'll learn that extreme sensitivity can be debilitating and why those labeled Autistic are the way they are. She explains so much in such a small autobiography. So much amazing packed into one book.

A very nice book, fluently written and very honest.

Something everyone who wants to read this book should consider is, that the scientific knowledge about autism she includes is outdated. The book shouldn’t be used as a source for scientific facts but more seen as an inspiring autobiography.

I thoroughly enjoy Dr. Grandin's writing for its raw honesty and sensible reasoning. This, her first book, is an invaluable insight into the early days of awareness and help for ASD children and adults.

She emphasizes above all that it is caring concern and loving guidance that is of most benefit to Autistic people. Now, nearly 20 years after the publication of this book, that essential truth remains. Regardless of advances in understanding and therapies, it is the family, friends, and teachers of the individual that will have the most profound effect.

Watch, listen. Try to follow where the child leads, and let them find their way. As Dr. Grandin has shown, we are ALL capable of meaningful, fulfilling lives.

I don’t think I have disliked a book more. The whole narrative of the book is labeling Autism as a “problem” and “curing” the individual so they can fit into society. Obviously societally we need to make our world more accessible and inclusive for individuals with Autism and not force them to conform to our standards. I also felt that the book was also used as a way to provide false hope and make money off of vulnerable people who have individuals with autism in their lives who are lower functioning or nonverbal and suggesting that they can just be “fixed” and “cured” using similar methods as Temple Grandin.