Once I got into the pattern of his writing being like his thought process, I really enjoyed this "look back." It is amazing that he was able to overcome some of his early life experiences. Very inspirational. ( )

This book offered great insight into someone with Aspergers. The only downside to the book were his endless pranks, which weren't as funny as the author thought. ( )

I love this book! The dry, sometimes-disturbing humor is spot-on, the descriptions vivid and almost technicolor in their realness. A truly inspiring story, told in an engaging, involving way. It led me to do some research of my own into Asperger's Syndrom, and to endeavor to be more sensitive in my dealings with others in the future. ( )

I liked how this was much more than a book about having Asperger's. The ways that John Elder found uses for his unique gifts could be really inspiring for students, for example, creating special effects for the band KISS. I listened to the audio version, read by John himself, and I came to really like him as a person. Although the pace was slow at times, and stories seemed to have no purposeful connection one to another, the ending brought the story to a satisfying conclusion. ( )

I was captured by this book from page one. I have not (YET) read any of the books written by his famous brother, Augusten X Burroughs, but after reading LOOK ME IN THE EYE, I certainly will read something of Burroughs', probably WOLF AT THE TABLE. In any case, Robison's story of his life with Asperberger's is as revealing and intimate as a memoir can be. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of his role with the roadies and techies of the KISS tour, as both of my sons are long-time KISS fans. Robison's difficulties in childhood and high school are well documented here in the most human terms, his lack of friends and the lack of empathy or understanding from teachers and other adults made me wince with sympathy. Strangely, or perhaps not, as I read of Robison's life, I thought of a few people I have known over the years who exhibited similar quirks and savant-like talents, and wondered if perhaps they might also have been Asperger's types. I was also quite startled to learn that perhaps one in 150 people suffer from autism, which covers a wide spectrum of difficulties. Even Robison's strange and sometimes devilish and even cruel sense of humor and his penchant for practical jokes and pranks were described in such a way that I found myself entranced rather than repelled. After all, many of his victims got only what they deserved. Robison's experiences in looking for love and his descriptions of his first girlfriend (later his first wife) are also told in utterly believable and interesting terms. His obvious love for his son, Cubby, is another plus. I picked up this book rather reluctantly, possibly because I had read ANIMALS IN TRANSLATION a few years ago, written by Temple Grandin, an autistic savant of sorts. While I found her theories interesting, her writing style was somewhat sterile and robotic, in addition to being often repetitious and borderline boring. I had also picked up another autism memoir, Daniel Tammet's BORN ON A BLUE DAY and glanced through it once. It did not engage me at all. I found none of these faults in Robison's book. This is one helluva good read. I recommend it highly. ( )

Recommended Ages: Grades 9-adult (Hardcover originally published for adults. Paperback had many swears removed to make it more appropriate for teens.)

Plot Summary: John Elder didn't know he has Asperger's until he was in his 30's. This memoir follows him from childhood through his 50's, describing his pain at making friends and fitting in, growing up with a mentally ill mother and alcoholic father, his career choices and how they work for someone with Asperger's, and his relationships with family, including his wives and son.

Setting: Was a teen in the 70's, married in 1982 for first time. Georgia and Massachusetts

Characters: John Elder Robison
Augusten Burroughs (aka Varmint) - younger brother (by 10 years), wrote Running With Scissors
Mom and Dad (aka Stupid and Slave) - mom was mentally ill, dad was alcoholic professor who occasionally was violent
Little Bear - John Elder's first wife
Cubby - John Elder and Little Bear's son
Dr. Finch - told John Elder's dad not to be violent and the violence stopped, became crazy (explained in Running with Scissors)

Recurring Themes: Asperger's, autism, alcoholism, mental illness, making friends, socialization, relationships

Controversial Issues: I read the edited for version more appropriate for teens. There were still less than 5 swears (don't remember which ones, but they weren't the "big two"--I don't think). Some violence is briefly explained, for example John Elder describes watching his dad put his cigarette out on his brother's forehead. John Elder's prank, especially the one that faked a hanging and some of the pranks he pulled on his younger brother, were mean and disturbing, but others were just intellectual fooling.

Personal Thoughts: This book definitely served it's purpose. I feel like I understand Asperger's better than before. Aspergians (specifically John Elder):
-like to create their own names for people
-are logical thinkers
-become experts at what they like
-want to play with others but usually don't know how
-have a hard time expressing emotion
-have a hard time sympathizing with events/tragedies that don't happen to them or the people they care about
-like petting and having things piled on them when they sleep
-can be perceived as geniuses because of their extensive knowledge and creativity
-have a hard time being part of a team
-like to be their own boss

New York Times bestseller (Nonfiction, 2007) ( )

I loved this book! It's a wonderful insight for those who want to understand life with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I highly recommend it for those who are going into education and teaching, even if it isn't special education. Robinson gives a great description of his childhood when growing up, undiagnosed, with Asperger's. He mentions what it was like for him in school, with teachers, peers and his family. You're able to get inside his mind and understand his experiences. It's a fantastic read! ( )

In this autobiography, John Robinson gives a rare insight into the life of a man with Asperger's. It is filled with witty stories and charming memories of his. Bark! ( )

Robison's thoughtful and thoroughly memorable account of living with Asperger's syndrome is assured of media attention (and sales) due in part to his brother Augusten Burroughs's brief but fascinating description of Robison in Running with Scissors. But Robison's story is much more fully detailed in this moving memoir, beginning with his painful childhood, his abusive alcoholic father and his mentally disturbed mother. Robison describes how from nursery school on he could not communicate effectively with others, something his brain is not wired to do, since kids with Asperger's don't recognize common social cues and body language or facial expressions. Failing in junior high, Robison was encouraged by some audiovisual teachers to fix their broken equipment, and he discovered a more comfortable world of machines and circuits, of muted colors, soft light, and mechanical perfection. This led to jobs (and many hilarious events) in worlds where strange behavior is seen as normal: developing intricate rocket-shooting guitars for the rock band Kiss and computerized toys for the Milton Bradley company. Finally, at age 40, while Robison was running a successful business repairing high-end cars, a therapist correctly diagnosed him as having Asperger's. In the end, Robison succeeds in his goal of helping those who are struggling to grow up or live with Asperger's to see how it is not a disease but a way of being that needs no cure except understanding and encouragement from others. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ( )

Simply written autobiography by Augesten Burroughs elder brother. He discusses his life with asperger's syndrome, his parents marriage and their descent into mental illness. His view on aspergers is upbeat and he has learnt over the years how to relate to people better and built up a good marriage and business.

I loved this book! It was a quick, interesting read with a lot of insight to asperger's. With each page I turned, I couldn't help but laugh (and shudder a little) at some of the messed up stuff the author did as a young person. His story of learning to survive with an undiagnosed condition made this memoir touch the heart. I picked up the book because he's the brother of Augusten Burroughs and was pleasantly surprised with how great it was. ( )

This book tells John Elder Robison's story about having trouble growning up which continues into his adulthood. Because of his late diagnosis of Asperger's, he must learn to function in the "normal" world using only his logical mind to ascertain the expected responses that will enable him to succeed.

A dark but very funny story that gives the reader insight into the problems of a child who learns to cope in a strange family, work place and social environment.

After reading this book, I feel I have some answers about Asperger's, a puzzling condition. ( )

Synopsis: John Elder had trouble connecting with people. He avoided eye contact, blurted out whatever was on his mind, and was unable to express appropriate emotions. (When learning someone died, he smiled). His teachers, and family friends thought he was lazy and obnoxious. His father was an alcoholic and his mother was admitted to a mental hospital. He was able to connect with machines, circuits, and sound systems. He developed smoke-exploding guitars for KISS and talking toys for Milton Bradley - but he could not handle corporate work. He founded his own car repair shop and built a successful business. He was married twice and had a son. At age 40, he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. This "aha" moment helped him realize that he was not a freak. His brother Augusten Burroughs convinced him to write this memoir, because he knew John Elder had some great stories to share - and he does!

Pros: This book was meaningful to me because I work with students with autism/Asperger's every day. It is inspiring as to how successful he became, and the obstacles that he crossed in his life.
Cons: I can't think of any ( )

Thoroughly enjoyable. I learned so much about Asperger's and yet I enjoyed this as much as the most gripping fiction. Amazing story, brilliantly told. ( )

Ever since he was small, John Robison had longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habitsan inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holeshad earned him the label social deviant. No guidance came from his mother or his father. It was no wonder he gravitated to machines, which could, at least, be counted on. After fleeing his parents and dropping out of high school, his savant-like ability to visualize electronic circuits landed him a gig with KISS. Later, he drifted into a real job, as an engineer for a major toy company. But the higher Robison rose in the company, the more he had to pretend to be normal and do what he simply couldnt: communicate. It was not until he was forty that an insightful therapist told him he had the form of autism called Aspergers syndrome. That understanding transformed the way Robison saw himselfand the world. Robison also provides a fascinating reverse angle on the younger brother he left at the mercy of their nutty parentsthe boy who would later change his name to Augusten Burroughs. Ultimately, this is the story of Robisons journey from his world into ours, a strange, sly, indelible accountsometimes alien, yet always deeply human. ( )

Brilliant written by Aspergian and brother of Augusten Burroughs who so artfully described his beyond-dysfunctional family in "Running with Scissors." ( )

wonderful book. laughed and laughed. highly recommend it.

"Look Me in the Eye" is a memoir written by John Elder Robison, a very talented and determined man who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when he was 40 years old. Robison overcame indifferent if not hostile parents, no help from the school system, and a lack of education to eventually become an audio and special effects specialist for the rock band KISS and then later work for Milton Bradley developing video games and then eventually forming his own sucessful business restoring and repairing classic cars. He married twice and has child of his own.

The book is very heartening to this Dad of a 10 year old boy with Aspergers. Robison is a good writer, if kind of flat (like maybe he has Asperger's) and he has some hair rasing adventures to tell. One of the more fascinating things he talks about is how he thinks and how his method of thinking has changed over time as he became more social.

The book is very encouraging and I recommend it highly to those who have a child with Aspergers or is otherwise interested in the subject ( )

Since I have a autistic three-year-old, I've been reading many books on the autism spectrum. Look Me In the Eye is a memoir, and a very well-done one. It's a fast read, detailing how Robison was a misfit as a child, how his parents were nuts, and how he struggled to assert himself as an adult. It's a very positive, uplifting story. Robison made many hard choices - such as dropping out of high school - but he followed his savant inclinations, fought past his own doubts, and taught himself how to socialize. His story is very honest and unflattering at times, but he shows how he has grown as a person and come to embrace Asperger's as being an integral part of himself. I found his guitar inventions for KISS to be particularly fascinating - I'm not a KISS fan, but I do know about their guitars! It's a great behind-the-scenes peek at the genius of innovation. ( )

An interesting book and another facet in my picture of Asperger's. The writing is a lot like the author describes himself - logical and a little dry. But the picture is a valuable one and well worth the read. ( )

What a great book! My daughter has Aspergian tendencies, and his insights into how he interpreted language (both verbal and non-verbal) was really helpful to me. My heart ached for him as a child; and I wanted to give him a cheer at the end of the book. ( )

Great book from an author who sees the world differently than most people. Funny, sad and very entertaining. I learned a lot about people who may appear to be a little "off". ( )

Wow Its been a long time since I enjoyed a book as much as I have this one. I was made aware of aspergers by my daughter who is a teacher,and was facinated by the topic. This book certainly gives insite into the condition. I found it remarkable that the the author was able to give the reader an insite into his world and how it differs from mine. I highly recommend this book ( )

Heartfelt memoir from John Elder Robison, a man who grew up feeling like a defective freak because of his Asperger's syndrome. A mix of humor and pain, his memoir is a strong plea for tolerance and understanding. Robison hopes that fewer kids will grow up feeling lonely because people think they want to be alone; he hopes people will understand that many kids on the spectrum of autism want to connect but haven't yet developed the skills needed to play with other kids. In addition to having Asperger's Robison grew up in a violently dysfunctional family (his brother, Augusten Burroughs, describes it from his perspective in Running with Scissors). Robison found his own ways to escape including using his mechanical genius to create one jaw dropping teenage prank (involving police, firemen, EMTs) after another. Although high school wasn't a good fit, he eventually found ways to use his skills in creative, productive ways as an adult. Great read. ( )