[1] The book contains case studies of people whose ability to navigate the world visually and communicate with others have been compromised, including the author's own experience with cancer of the eye and his lifelong inability to recognise faces.

[4] Another case study is of the acclaimed concert pianist Lilian Kallir, who suffered from posterior cortical atrophy yet was surprisingly resilient despite the numerous deficits it caused; the effect on her musical abilities was particularly notable.

[5] Another case study was about a vivacious, social woman named Pat who suffered a stroke that resulted in aphasia; a complete inability to speak or understand words.

One chapter is devoted to the case of Howard Engel, author of a popular series of mystery novels.

Due to a small stroke, he developed alexia sine agraphia; an inability to read, while retaining the ability to write.