Beyond ADD: Hunting for Reasons in the Past and Present [Paperback]

Thom Hartmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 1996

Though little is known about the condition itself, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is becoming a part of American household vocabulary. Thom Hartmann was one of the pioneers of ADD research. With his previous books he has shown how individuals with ADD are not just "hyperactive" or "easily distracted, " but actually possess highly adaptive, entrepreneurial skills - traits which served ancient hunters but which meet with resistance in modern agrarian societies. Beyond ADD deepens the discussion by showing how different people with the same diagnosis can exhibit different behaviors, ranging from hyperactivity to being withdrawn, from forgetfulness to being obsessively hyperfocused. He explores possible genetic origins and discusses how ADD-related traits may have served to further human evolution. He spotlights how modern life might contribute to ADD, from toxic environments that neurologically damages fetuses to nutritional deficiencies, a quick-fix consumer culture, and overpopulation. He documents the difficulties gifted children encounter in an educational system that does not stimulate them, and the hardships for visual learners in an auditory environment. As he discusses brain chemistry and physiology, he examines the pros and cons of the controversial drug Ritalin.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Thom Hartmann is a pioneer in ADD research. His previous books have shown how individuals with ADD are not just "hyperactive" or "easily distracted," but actually possess highly adaptive, entrepreneurial skills - traits which served ancient hunters but meet with resistance in modern agrarian societies. His theory was profiled in Time magazine. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Thom Hartmann is the author of six books on ADD and former executive director of a residential treatment facility for abused and emotionally disturbed children. He authored more than 200 published articles and has spoken at conferences around the world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Underwood Books; First Edition edition (August 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887424121
• ISBN-13: 978-1887424127
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Special Needs > Hyperactivity
  • #85 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Attention Deficit Disorder

More About the Author

Thom Hartmann, who started in radio in 1968, is also an internationally known speaker on culture and communications, an author, and an innovator in the fields of psychiatry, ecology, and economics. The co-founder (with his wife, Louise) of The New England Salem Children's Village (1978) and The Hunter School (1997), he has led national innovations in the areas of residential treatment for abused children and private/public education for learning-disabled children. Hartmann is the four-time Project Censored Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of nineteen books currently in print in over a dozen languages on five continents. He is the former executive director of a residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed and abused children, and has helped set up hospitals, famine relief programs, schools, and refugee centers in India, Uganda, Australia, Colombia, Russia, and the United States through the German-based Salem International program. Formerly rostered with the State of Vermont as a psychotherapist, founder of The Michigan Healing Arts Center, and licensed as an NLP Trainer by Richard Bandler (who wrote the foreword to one of Thom's books), he was the originator of the revolutionary "Hunter/Farmer Hypothesis" to understand the psychiatric condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). A guest faculty member at Goddard College in Vermont, he also synthesized the "Younger/Older Culture model" for describing the underpinnings - and possible solutions - to the world's ecological and socio-political crises, suggesting that many of our problems are grounded in cultural "stories" which go back thousands of years. His most recent books are "Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class," "The Edison Gene," "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight," "Unequal Protection: The Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human Rights," "We The People: A Call to Take Back America," and "What Would Jefferson Do?"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A positive approach!, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond ADD: Hunting for Reasons in the Past and Present (Paperback)

So many books look at ADD as a "problem" that must be diagnosed and dealt with. Thom Hartmann looks at ADD another way, a way that makes a lot of sense! This book is a MUST read for anyone who has ADD or anyone who knows someone with ADD and wants to understand. The Hunter/Farmer explanation puts it all into perspective. I am an adult with ADD, and the parent of a child with ADD. I often use Hartmann's theory when explaining ADD to other people. It is positive and empowering.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, A Real Explanation About ADD/HD, June 26, 2000

By 

Mark - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond ADD: Hunting for Reasons in the Past and Present (Paperback)

Far be it for me to even read a book. At 41, I started and run a public company. My 10 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 4. This book not only helped me understand my son, it helped me understand myself. The result, I finally understood a logical explanation on why I thought I was different for so many years, and my son and I have never been closer. The challenges and the theories found in the book are incredible. I felt I was reading an explanation of how I think and act (or react). I wasn't looking for something to believe in, or to justify certain behaviors. However, almost every sentence drew me closer to the edge of my chair - just to see how my son and I operate. Thank you Dr. Hartmann!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Buy, May 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond ADD: Hunting for Reasons in the Past and Present (Paperback)

This book does a great job of explaining the symptoms of ADD.

The explanations are detailed, well written and easy to read. Recommend this book for anyone, if they want to really understand ADD.

This book has a special ability to make a non-ADD person empathize with the behavioral aspects of an ADD person.