Mick Ross

I had been stuck for awhile trying to decide what book to read next. I used a lifeline and asked friends on Facebook and Twitter what they would suggest. I was given several options to choose from, even one from Daniel Pink, but the book that sounded the most intriguing was “Born on a Blue Day” by Daniel Tammet suggested by my friend Erin.

According to the book, which is written in first person, Daniel is an autistic savant. A savant is a person with a rare condition in which a developmental disorder can increase areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual’s overall limitations. In Daniel’s case he has an exceptional ability with numbers and language. He can calculate large numbers quickly, remember long sequences of numbers and can learn a new language within a week. Part of what makes Daniel’s ability with numbers possible is synaesthesia. Synaesthesia is where two sensory experiences overlap. Normally when someone “sees” a number it’s as an abstract symbol, but for Daniel numbers have shapes, color and texture. This difference lets him see long numbers as a landscape which is easier to recall. The same is true for days of the week. The day of his birth was on a Wednesday which to him is blue.

Daniel Tammet Giving a TED Talk

Daniel describes what his life was like as an autistic savant growing up with his family and attending school. At times his life was extremely difficult because he didn’t understand things the same way other people did. He had other complications like epileptic seizures. Daniel believes his autism and seizures are what gave him his abilities. Eventually Daniel outgrows his awkwardness and becomes able to interact with others in a more stable way, though he still suffered from a difficulty with change and empathising with other people.

Daniel goes on to accomplish many things such as meeting Kim Peel (the person the movie “Rainman” is based on), interviews on David Letterman, the making of a documentary about his life and abilities titled “Brainman” and his record for reciting pi to 22,514 decimal places.

Daniel Tammet on David Letterman

I was surprised to find that there is a controversy surrounding Daniel Tammet. Some don’t believe he is actually a savant, but is instead used normal, but highly practiced, memory skills to accomplish his incredible feats with numbers. Joshua Foer mentioned this controversy in his book “Moonwalking with Einstein.” Despite Daniel’s well documented condition Joshua makes some interesting points from his interviews with Daniel.

I don’t know if what Joshua says is true. Even so Daniel’s “Born on a Blue Day” is a fascinating read. It helps you to appreciate the differences in how each person’s mind works and make you a little more understanding of the different perspectives people have.

Daniel Tammet is a British writer. His best selling 2006 memoir “Born On A Blue Day” about his life with high-functioning autism and savant syndrome, was named a “Best Book for Young Adults” in 2008 by the American Library Association. Tammet’s second book, “Embracing the Wide Sky,” was named one of France’s best selling books of 2009 by L’Express magazine in its March 2010 edition. Tammet’s books have been published in 20 languages.