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Concussion
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
14 posts | 9 read | 3 to read
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Now a major motion picture starring Will Smith, Concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the pathologist who made one of the most significant medical discoveries of the twenty-first century, a discovery that challenges the existence of Americas favorite sport and puts Omalu in the crosshairs of footballs most powerful corporation: the NFL. Jeanne Marie Laskas first met the young forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu in 2009, while reporting a story for GQ that would go on to inspire the movie Concussion. Omalu told her about a day in September 2002, when, in a dingy morgue in downtown Pittsburgh, he picked up a scalpel and made a discovery that would rattle America in ways hed never intended. Omalu was new to America, chasing the dream, a deeply spiritual man escaping the wounds of civil war in Nigeria. The body on the slab in front of him belonged to a fifty-year-old named Mike Webster, aka Iron Mike, a Hall of Fame center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the greatest ever to play the game. After retiring in 1990, Webster had suffered a dizzyingly steep decline. Toward the end of his life, he was living out of his van, tasering himself to relieve his chronic pain, and fixing his rotting teeth with Super Glue. How did this happen?, Omalu asked himself. How did a young man like Mike Webster end up like this? The search for answers would change Omalus life forever and put him in the crosshairs of one of the most powerful corporations in America: the National Football League. What Omalu discovered in Websters brainproof that Iron Mikes mental deterioration was no accident but a disease caused by blows to the head that could affect everyone playing the gamewas the one truth the NFL wanted to ignore. Taut, gripping, and gorgeously told, Concussion is the stirring story of one unlikely mans decision to stand up to a multibillion-dollar colossus, and to tell the world the truth. Advance praise for Concussion A gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to . . . a fabulous, essential read.Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks The story of Dr. Bennet Omalus battle against the NFL is classic David and Goliath stuff, and Jeanne Marie Laskasone of my favorite writers on earthmakes it as exciting as any great courtroom or gridiron drama. A riveting, powerful human taleand a master class on how to tell a story.Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit Bennet Omalu forced football to reckon with head trauma. The NFL doesnt want you to hear his story, but Jeanne Marie Laskas makes it unforgettable. This book is gripping, eye-opening, and full of heart.Emily Bazelon, author of Sticks and Stones From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Sharpeipup
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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This Time Tomorrow nearly beat it out but I was fascinated by one and especially by the doctor - his background and education.

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Sharpeipup
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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I ran out of #audiobooks and saw this one was available so why not, right?
I‘m now halfway through. 😳
#page2screen

24 likes1 stack add
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ClairesReads
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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Pickpick

Although science and medical discovery sits at the heart of this story, this is just one of its many layers. It‘s a story that pits the scientist against the multi-billion dollar NFL industry. As with all David and Goliath narratives, the lengths that the NFL went to in an attempt to discredit Omalu‘s research, at the expense of the lives of players, former players, and their families is shocking. You can‘t make stories like this up.

SamAnne Just lost another high school boy to a football brain injury near where we live. It is a gladiator sport. 4y
ClairesReads @SamAnne horrifying! 4y
32 likes2 comments
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CampbellTaraL
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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Pickpick

Such a well-written book, I recommend it on audio. The story of Dr. Bennet Omalu is intriguing. The garbage he had to endure that attacked his work, when all he was interested in was the brain,--"what is football?"--is what so many scientists have to deal with on a constant basis with powerful, self-interest groups/corps. It's disheartening.

The pacing of the book and the way the story unfolded made you want to hurry back for more.

38 likes2 stack adds
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ripley_reads
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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Found these at Goodwill today!

brittanyreads 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 6y
Nute White Oleander is soooo good!!! 6y
17 likes2 comments
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GirlWellRead
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
Pickpick

I don't know much about American football, and neither did Dr. Omalu, but football wasn't the catalyst for wanting to study the brain of Iron Mike Webster who died from a heart attack at the age of 50. This story is absolutely riveting and amazing. Not just for football fans.

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Carolyn11215
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
Pickpick

Damning indictment of the NFL for their attempts to suppress findings of correlation between brain damage and repeated concussions and sub-concussions in retired football players.

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Carolyn11215
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas

Wise words for current climate from Pope John Paul II around 1994 in Nigeria..."Respect for every human person, for his dignity and rights, must ever be the inspiration behind your efforts to increase democracy and strengthen the social fabric of your country."

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Carolyn11215
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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Love this Ibo blessing... "Whatever good he is looking for, he will see it." Gonna try to remember that in 2017.

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Carolyn11215
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas

Reading this for the Book Riot Reading Harder 2017 challenge. Who else is doing that challenge?

sprainedbrain 🙋🏻 I am! 8y
1 like1 comment
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BraveNewBooks
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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a #tbt snapshot of what I was reading at this time last year. I recommended Concussion to everyone I talked to! 🏈🏥

14 likes1 stack add
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GirlInGreyBoots
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
Mehso-so

It wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was still a good story. And, yes, I'll be watching the movie eventually. :)

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GirlInGreyBoots
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas

Being a hockey fan, I'm very excited to read Concussion because this is a hot topic in the NHL right now. Football and hockey may be very different sports, but the question of PTSD and concussions are similar. I find this topic very interesting.

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obviateit
Concussion | Jeanne Marie Laskas
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#booktober #day1 #mostanticipatedreads : ANYTHING! 😩
I've been popping on here every once in a while because I just miss you guys, but I can't read anything for more than a few minutes at a time. My headache hasn't gone away yet, so I'm trying to rest as much as possible. This cutie has been taking good care of me by piling every stuffed animal/toy he can find onto my lap. 😊

Kirstin What a cutie! Hope the headache goes away soon! Been there-no fun. 🤕 8y
BookishFeminist Hope your headache goes away soon! Ongoing headaches are the worst. 🤕 8y
DebinHawaii Hope you feel better soon. It looks like you are in good (& cute!) hands. 👶🏻❤️ 8y
27 likes3 comments