Editors' Choice—The New York Times Book Review
One of the Best Science Books of 2020—Amazon.com
A Barnes & Noble Best Psychology Book for 2020—Barnes & Noble
"A thoughtful argument that creativity shares many of the same traits as autism.... Insightful."—Kirkus
"Baron-Cohen's work buttresses the case that aspects of autism can be positive, and that thoughtful guidance can channel some with that diagnosis into productive and meaningful work. Readers interested in accessible and innovative looks at the human mind, such as those of Yuval Noah Harari, will be fascinated."—Publishers Weekly
"Based on massive research,
"In this ambitious and provocative book, Simon Baron-Cohen goes beyond the usual discussion of 'special gifts' in autism to propose that the diversity of human operating systems has accelerated the advancement of human civilization and culture in ways we can barely imagine."—Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes
"Simon Baron-Cohen has long been a champion of autistic people, and The Pattern Seekers -- a thought-provoking book -- makes a significant contribution to the emerging literature on neurodiversity."
—John Elder Robison, author of Look Me in the Eye
"It's rare to come across asurprising new idea that explains important phenomena, but Simon Baron-Cohen'sexploration of abstract pattern-seeking in human affairs is one of them. Thisbook sheds light on one of humanity's most distinctive traits, celebrates humancognitive diversity, and in contrast with its subject matter, is rich withempathy and psychological insight."— Steven Pinker, author of The Language Instinct
"Always years ahead ofothers, always bolder in mind and in action than others, Simon Baron-Cohen nowsynthesizes a secret of human creativity born out of difference. Where otherssaw disability, he saw specialness. Like nature itself, the beauty of the humanmind comes from its diversity."—Ami Klin, Bernie Marcus Distinguished Chair in Autism at EmoryUniversity
"The Pattern Seekers is a game-changing book, a passport into exploring the world of innovation and creativity. Most importantly, it celebrates autistic people and is a call for action, to welcome neurodiversity."—David Joseph, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK
"The Pattern Seekers is a book of big ideas and is sure to excite intense discussion and debate, fueled by Baron-Cohen's lively prose and provoking stories."—Daniel J. Povinelli, author of World Without Weight
"Simon Baron-Cohen, aninternationally acclaimed authority on human brains, has written afascinating book that illuminates the 'spectrum' of thinking styles.After reading it, you'll better understand the personalities of yourfriends and colleagues!"—Martin Rees, author of On the Future
"In an age of increasing specialization, The Pattern Seekers comes as a breath of fresh air. Simon Baron-Cohen is truly a rara avis, able to see hidden links between seemingly unrelated disorders that span the whole spectrum of human nature. He steers clear of simple-minded reductionism as well as touchy-feely psychology. The result is a book that is destined to become a classic. Baron-Cohen does not shy away from speculating on controversial topics like autism that everyone is interested in but no one understands. And although he is usually right on target, he will inevitably annoy a few pundits. But as Lord Reith of BBC put it, there are some people whom it is one's duty to annoy." — V.S. Ramachandran, author of The Tell-Tale Brain
"Simon Baron-Cohenhas written a wildly creative and fascinating book. He takes on one of thedeepest puzzles in cognitive science by asking a simple question: What makes Homosapiens so inventive? By combining brain science, evolutionary biology, andthe study of autism, Baron-Cohen provides a unique theory of human cognition.It is surely one of the most powerful and eye-opening books about the humanmind written this decade."—Andrew N. Meltzoff, co-author of The Scientist in the Crib
"A fascinating account of the mechanismsunderlying the related capacities of both autistic individuals and innovators."—Brian Josephson, Emeritus Professor of Physics at University of Cambridge and winner of the Nobel Prize in physics
"Simon Baron-Cohen is one ofthe greatest thinkers and writers today on the subject of autism. In thiserudite new book he explains that autistic people's strongly systematic way ofthinking differently is one of the essential elements in the capacity for invention.Baron-Cohen explores how obsessively experimenting with patterns and sequences,whether in music, the visual arts, math, engineering, cooking, or observing thepatterns of the ocean waves, led to new inventions and discoveries. He hasrecalibrated the lens through which autism is understood and redefined it as arare potentiality, to be valued and celebrated. His bold new idea, that thegenes for autism drove the evolution of human invention, places this disabilitycenter stage in the story of humans. If you have ever wondered why geniusesspend so much time alone in their sheds, this illuminating book starts to giveus an answer to that question."—Jools Holland, musician
"[A] bold argument . . . an impassioned call to action for modern society to do a better job of tapping the inventive power of people with autism."—Claudia Wallis, Spectrum News
