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Exclusive First Read: 'Hallucinations,' By Oliver Sacks

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Oliver Sacks' previous books include The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Awakenings.

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Originally published on Wed October 24, 2012 9:38 am

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Hallucinations can be terrifying, enlightening, amusing or just plain strange. They're thought to be at the root of fairy tales, religious experiences and some kinds of art. Neurologist Oliver Sacks has been mapping the oddities of the human brain for decades, and his latest book, Hallucinations, is a thoughtful and compassionate look at the phantoms our brains can produce — which he calls "an essential part of the human condition." In this chapter, Sacks examines auditory hallucinations.

7:58 am

Wed October 24, 2012

After Shark Kills Surfer, Central California Beach Closed

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The beach is closed near Vandenberg Air Force Base after Tuesday's shark attack.

By Mark Memmott

Surf Beach near Vandenberg Air Force Base along California's central coast is closed after the death of a 39-year-old man who was attacked by a shark Tuesday while surfing.

The man's death came two years and a day after a shark killed a 19-year-old man along the same stretch of the coast.

7:40 am

Wed October 24, 2012

Morning Shots: Are You Planning On Dressing Up Like Thor? You're Not Alone

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By Linda Holmes

A Fandango poll says that The Avengers is leading the pack for Halloween costume choice, and then goes on to explain that most of the top picks across the board are action heroes. Which does make some sense, as dressing up like a rom-com heroine would make it hard for people to tell who you are. [The Hollywood Reporter]

7:32 am

Wed October 24, 2012

Reports: Militants Quickly Claimed Responsibility For Benghazi Attack

Credit Esam Omran Al-Fetori / Reuters /Landov

A burned vehicle outside the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, after the Sept. 11 attack.

By Mark Memmott

Reuters and Fox News have obtained copies of an email sent about two hours after the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in which the White House, Pentagon and other agencies are told that the Islamist militant group Ansar al-Sharia had "claimed responsibility."

7:10 am

Wed October 24, 2012

Animal Law Student Fights Dog Discrimination

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9:03 am

Wed October 24, 2012