The Machine Aficionado

A few months ago, I received an advance copy of John Robison's new book, Look Me In the Eye: My Life With Asperger's. 

I was excited to read it for a few reasons. First, Robison is a well-known business owner in Massachusetts and beyond; his company services and sells high-end and exotic cars like Porches, Rolls Royces, and Mercedes. I've interviewed him in the past, as part of an article  on vintage auto restoration, so I already knew what an interesting guy he is.

Second, he's the older brother of one of my favorite writers, Augusten Burroughs. When I put the vintage car story together, he was refurbishing a Rolls for Burroughs, and when I contacted the latter to ask (timidly) for an interview -- vintage autos from the owner's perspective -- Burroughs instead e-mailed me a lengthy personal essay, which the magazine I work for published. It was just one of many articles and books I've read and loved by the author, so I was looking forward to seeing how Robison's writing voice compared to that of his kid sibling.

Finally, Asperger's Syndrome is a topic that I've actually covered as a writer before. In a different job a few years ago, I interviewed Tony Attwood , who is considered one of the leading experts on the condition. I read his book, too, and was amazed by this still largely misunderstood 'autism-spectrum disorder.' It's characterized by difficulty with social interaction, and by intense interests in very specific things, such as trains, planes, highway systems, electronics, sushi, you name it. 

In Robison's case, his 'Aspergian traits' are seen in his proficiency and knowledge of all things automotive, as well as sound equipment and cameras. He calls himself a 'machine aficionado' to tie it all together.

I think the most notable thing about Robison is that he debunks the theory that all Aspergians are terribly clinical people who only understand non-human mechanisms and read stereo instructions for fun. On the contrary, he's one of the more colorful people I've ever interviewed. He's funny and sharp, and detailed as all hell, and that is an awesome thing for a journalist. He's got a resume that rivals most, too. His interest in sound equipment led to a gig with KISS, creating special effects guitars. Then, he worked for a major toy company as an engineer. He still attends Porsche shows all over the world, shoots amazing photos, rides around on his Harley in a keen leather vest, and now, he's a best-selling author with a book in its ninth printing in the U.S., and two more memoirs on the drawing board. 

I can't imagine what John Robison is going to do next. But somehow, I feel like I haven't interviewed him  for the last time.

tags: john  tony  augusten  burroughs  book  aspergers  attwood  porsche  elder  robison  author  

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