The Organ of Intelligence

About the Book

The rational and thoughtful among us generally consider the organ of intelligence to be the brain. The emotional might be poetically inclined and call it the heart. As for sexually driven, what passes for rational thought seems most often linked to sex. Happily, civility, inhibitions and understanding bring us into line so that most of us are led by brain rather than emotion or lust.

What happens, then, if the brain which has been merrily governing a thinking, reasoning man, guiding him successfully through a life that, no matter low safe or add his upbringing, seems inclined for success — what happens of that brain loses the ability to govern, loses the ability to hold onto civility and understanding? Are inhibitions lost? Are boundaries ripped asunder?

Reuben Cohen is unique within himself, but many ways he is Everyman. He struggles through an awkward adolescence to find certain skill on the ice, playing with the guys on Thursday nights. Hockey is his sport; horseracing his secret thrill. He dabbles at jobs and at last finds one that suits his temperament, his liking for fire and his love for food. He falls in love and life is joyously full — his beautiful wife, his freshly painted starter home, and plans for a family.

Ah bliss! Life is perfect and the future is bright.

And then it happens —the Pot Mishap— a knock on the noggin by a large steel pot. It changes Reuben's life. Thanks to a conscienceless fate, Reuben Cohen, husband, teammate and fry cook, is suddenly Everyman without boundaries, cut adrift from social conscience. Civility hangs by a thread, understanding is forever altered.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Lower Mainland Brain Injury Association in Vancouver, BC, Canada

About the Author

Gregory Goldberg conducted extensive research into the aftermath of head injuries, but he didn't just research it. He lived it, after an accident that, like Reuben, cost him his career, marriage and way of life.

After years of intense rehab he is still working hard towards becoming the articulate, energetic person he was before the accident.

This is his first novel.