Temple Grandin: The Stories I Tell My Friends, by Anita Lesko

Temple Grandin is an accomplished, remarkable, and inspiring person.  Her books, her work, her advocacy, and, most popularly, the HBO movie about her life, have provided hope and inspiration beyond measure for people with autism and their families.  One of her greatest admirers is Anita Lesko, who was diagnosed with autism as an adult and whose life experiences have much in common with Grandin's.  Over a series of interviews, Lesko gathered stories from Grandin and has published them in Temple Grandin: The Stories I Tell My Friends.

Lesko allows the Grandin to speak in her own voice.  The bulk of the book is simply Grandin speaking while the tape recorder rolls.  The insights into Grandin's life and personality are invaluable.  She reminisces about her childhood, education, and work history.  Lesko reveals Grandin's huge generosity and philanthropy.  (Fun fact: Grandin pays all of her graduate students' tuition bills!  Talk about a cool scholarship!)  If you have heard Grandin speak or seen the movie about her, you will picture her quirky style of presenting herself as you read.

Given the unedited feel and rough assembly of the stories in The Stories I Tell My Friends, the book should be primarily viewed as a valuable primary source book, not as any sort of well-researched biography or coherent narrative.  This makes the book a little painful to read.  Lesko took the liberty of inserting her own remarks and autobiographical material, which, as valuable as it is for Lesko, detracts from the primary focus: Temple Grandin.

So pick up this book and appreciate it for what it is: a chance to see a personal side of Grandin that may not come through in a formal biography.  What a remarkable and interesting person.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!