The Real Rain Man: Kim Peek

by Fran Peek

The Real Rain Man portrays the fascinating life and multiple gifts of a one-of-a-kind mental giant, Kim Peek. Written by his father, Fran Peek, this "coming out of the dark" narrative is filled with personal anecdotes, quips, and reflections of a man and life the world could easily have missed.The real-life Rain Man is not autistic, nor is he a savant. In fact, he is considered a megasavant. Though Kim's motor skills are impaired, along with some of his capacities for logic, he has a nearly photographic memory and it is estimated that he has read over 7,600 books. Kim has responded to the attention and exposure that came with the movie Rain Man by coming out of his private world and taking up a role as a spokesman for those who have disabilities.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Psychology, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

161 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about a guy I ran into at the Salt Lake Library recently. We waited for and rode in an elevator together and I said "are you kim peek" he said "my name is kim peek" I said: I read a book about you!
Kim: Going UP!
Me: It is an honor to meet you.
Kim:(never looking towards me at all) Fourth floor. Gonna return a book... get another one...put a book back.
Me:What book are you returning?
Kim: Going UP! Fourth Floor.
Me:Bye!

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Peek's story gives hope and encouragement to the families of young people displaying savant skills but struggling to comprehend social expectations and wrestling with other difficulties as well. Accepting the person for who they are is one thing but giving them the opportunity to shine and be respected for their skills goes a long way towards enabling that individual to become a respected and valued member of society. Kim's story teaches us that we must have the confidence to throw conventional learning aims out if the window and look to find ways of developing the person's strengths instead of focusing on the weaknesses. Fran Peek, Kim's father tells how Dustin Hoffman's respect for his son helped Kim to come out of his shell and grow on confidence in communicating with others though well into adulthood.

Kim himself tells others "Recognise and respect differences in others. Then, treat them as you want them to treat you do we can have the kind of world we want to live in."

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good story, and the fact that it is... well... fact made it even better. It's amazing what the human spirit can overcome... Kim Peek seems like such an amazing person and so cute!!
Working in Special Ed I had a few students who were similar and it just made me smile when his dad quoted him, I could totally hear some of my students saying those things!
I love this book because it helps one understand the mentally disabled, and any book that does that is golden!

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim Peek has extraordinary savant features that he is quite famous for. There are many savants in the world, but what sparks my interest in and appreciation for Kim is that he is an intense empath and a beautifully caring being as deserving of an HPMR phoenix as any mind out there. I heart-warming book.

[Nasrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

if we try hard we can't forced any 'subterranean siphon'

to saying each thing we want to say.

[Janene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed from my cherished neighbor, Lois. This book is one of her treasures, gifted to her years ago by her coworker, the author and father of the real "Rain Man." This book is Fran's story of the childhood and early adulthood of his remarkable son, Kim. There are glimpses and anecdotes from his life, his perspective, and his kind and loving heart. The meeting and lifelong friendship of Kim and Dustin Hoffman, as the movie "Rain Man" came to fruition, is heavily covered in the book. That experience became Kim's "coming out," and he and his father were ever-after more willing to share Kim's story, and his amazing gifts with as many people as possible. His message to the world became: "Share... care... respect. Be the best you can be!" I wish I could have met him, this real Rain Man, in real life.

3.5 stars

I jotted down many of the inspiring quotes, included in the sidelines of the text. A few to brighten your outlook today: :)

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." - Mother Teresa

The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire. - Tielhard de Chardin

I shall pass through this world but once; any good things, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, or dumb animal, let me do it now. Let me not deter it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. - John Galsworthy

The power that makes grass grow, fruit ripen, and guides the bird in flight is in us all. - Anizia Yezlerska, Red Ribbon on a White Horse

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written and not too long so it never got boring. You can learn a lot of amazing information about someone who is different from anyone else who's ever lived and his amazing abilities like reading over 7,000 books! Kim Peek has died a few years ago and the book is written by his father back in the late 90s when Kim was still alive. it has a lot of great messages in there to inspire people and there are several unique and funny observations made by Kim.

[Innocent]

loved it

[Daniel Saleh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Only thing I didn't really like was the structure(or lack of). It's starts off structured and essay-like but then digresses into a series of anecdotal memories that come in no particular order, so it really does become a war of attrition with your own concentration.

That being said, it was great to learn about Kim and I would recommend this book as a nice easy read.

[Katie Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This biography is written by Fran Peek about his son, Kim Peek, and his journey of life with a truly unique autism.
I would use this book for my own personal benefit in my future classroom. It gives the reader an insight on the quirky characteristics of an individual with autism and a truly unique case such as Kim's and the effect he had in making the movie Rain Man and the effect the movie had on his life.

[Kacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

got to meet the author and his son my senior yr of high school at a Rotaract Conference in Reno, NV...got a free copy of the book and reading it plus meeting the author and his son combined was amazing and something i'll never forget!! :)

[saeid babakhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

goods...

[Momma Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good, and especially intresting to me because I met the REAL rainman. He has a unique spirit.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I just want to see the show now. I have been studying illnesses for a while and this book fit right in. This man is so innocent and loving. I wish I could meet him.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching biography of Kim Peek, on whom the "Rain Man" character was based, written by his father. Kim's mental powers were astounding. May he rest in peace.