Waking the Spirit

An Oliver Sacks Foundation Best Book of the Year selection, Finalist for the Books for a Better Life "Best First Book” Award, and a People Magazine Pick in non-fiction.

For millennia, music has been known to have a powerful role in the healing process. This moving and inspiring book tells the tale of a man pulled from the brink of death by music who, in turn, uses music as medicine to help heal others.

Andrew Schulman, a fifty-seven-year-old professional guitarist, had a close brush with death on the night of July 16, 2009. Against the odds—with the help of music—he survived: A medical miracle.

Once fully recovered, Andrew resolved to dedicate his life to bringing music to critically ill patients in the same ICU where music helped save his life. In Waking the Spirit, you'll learn the astonishing stories of the people he’s met along the way—both patients and doctors—and see the incredible role music can play in a modern hospital setting.

In his new work as a professional musician, Andrew has met with experts in music, neuroscience, and medicine. In this book, he shares with readers an overview of the cutting-edge science and medical theories that illuminate this exciting field.

This book explores the power of music to heal the body and awaken the spirit.