Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1970. First edition. Octavo; 298pp., indexed; blue cloth, gilt spine titles, in dust jacket.
Migraine is the first book by the celebrated physician, neurologist and author. After finishing his neurology residency in California, Sacks moved to the Bronx in order to work at the first headache clinic in the United States. Sacks, who suffered from migraines himself, was particularly interested in the affliction’s relation to the effects of psychedelic drugs. He conceived of Migraine after reading a Victorian headache treatise while high on amphetamines, and went on to write the first draft in nine days. The book ultimately cost him his job—his superior at the clinic was furious at what he perceived as an effort to undercut him—but launched the career of one of the most beloved science writers of the century.
This copy is in near fine condition, with light shelfwear that has whitened the cloth at spine ends and tips, and one small smudge to the textblock top. In a very good plus, unclipped jacket with a short closed tear at the head of the spine, minor edgewear and some laminate curling at spine ends and tips. A collectible copy of a book reprinted many times, but quite scarce in its first edition.
