Genius Explained / Edition 1

by Michael J. A. Howe

Overview

The cherished view of genius is that it is a special inborn gift: something mysterious, even miraculous. In Genius Explained, psychologist Michael Howe traces the lives of some exceptionally creative men and women, including Charles Darwin, the Brontë sisters, George Eliot, Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein and the railway inventor George Stephenson. Their biographies reveal how the extraordinary capabilities of these people were clearly rooted in the experiences and opportunities that forged their characters. Eschewing mysticism, Howe's study shows that to be a genius demands a strong sense of direction and an extraordinary degree of commitment, focus, practice, ardous training and drive. Michael J.A. Howe is professor of psychology at the University of Exeter. He is the author of A Teacher's Guide to the Psychology of Learning (Blackwell, 1999) and The Psychology of High Abilities (New York University Press, 1999). Previous paperback edition (1999) 0-521-64968-4

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521008495
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/31/2001
Series:	Canto
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.54(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The young Charles Darwin; 3. The long ascent of George Stephenson; 4. Michael Faraday; 5. Manufacturing genius; 6. Einstein and the prodigies; 7. The expertise of great writers; 8. Inventing and discovering; 9. Born to be a genius?; Appendix: personalia; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'… an enjoyable and informative book … His insights are thought-provoking … This argument, worked through the case histories, is not only impressive but encouraging, opening the way up to all of us and our children.' Galton Institute Newsletter

'The richness of Howe's examples and his clear flowing writing style, recommend this book for serious popular readers.' Contemporary Psychology

From the Publisher