"A remarkable and unforgettable memoir from the first man with autism to attend Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship, revealing what life is really like inside a world constructed for neurotypical minds while celebrating the many gifts of being different"-- As a child, Fleming was wracked by uncontrollable tantrums, had no tolerance for people, and couldn't manage the outside world. Slightly more than a decade later, he was bound for England, selected to attend one of the world's premier universities. Here, through a series of personal conversations with Winik, he makes a compelling case for logical empathy based on rational thought, asks why we tolerate friends who see us as a means to an end, and explains why he believes personality is a choice. And he discusses how, after many hardships, he maintains a deep, abiding faith in his Creator. -- adapted from jacket Provided by publisher.

Diagnosis: autism -- Brain space -- Energy and memory -- Emotional distancing -- Language barriers -- Language disconnect -- Personality is a choice -- Things that matter -- One word: love.