Customer Reviews

The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child

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Edison was ADD. SO were many of the people who contributed to making the world the good place it is. This book portrays a very different picture of people with ADD, going so far as to suggest that the gene that is associated with ADD was also the gene that led to the creation of civilization. Tell that to a kid whose recently been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD who is feeling bad about having a defective brain, as some misled people conceive. This book gives a perspective on ADD/ADHD that will boost an ADDer's self esteem rather than harm it. It shoud be required reading for all teachers.

Thom Hartmann's books are extraordinarily inspiring and uplifting. If you haven't read Prophet's Way, Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, Unequal Protection, and World's Greatest Secret, all books not related to ADD, then you're missing something. Also check out his talk show at thomhartmanndotcom.

In this book, Thom logically progressed up what the former California Senator S.I. Hayakawa called the abstraction ladder. Thom moves from brain cells to parts, to the individual child and their genes. He then postulates that our modern schools are oppressive and are profoundly wounding our Edison Gene children by treating and labeling them as "disordered". Thom asks the reader to take a new look at raising Edison Gene (ADHD) children and how the very survival of the human race may ultimately depend on these hyper-creative and novelty seeking brains. For some, the building of the case may be tedious at first, (Publisher's Weekly), but I disagree. It is a necessary step to overcome the bias fostered by the media and the billions spent by vested interests in labeling these beautiful children "disordered. You may disagree with the conclusions, but there is enough proof provided here to convince even the most ardent skeptic of Thom's premise and serious proponent of the view that ADHD is a disorder that their view needs re-examination. The world will be losing something great if we don't learn to accept, love, and nurture our "Edison Gene" children and their gifts.

Thom Hartmann is one of our society's most articulate expositors of progressive and non-conformist social and spiritual ideas. It is no coincidence that he has written extensively on the topic of "ADHD," a label that by definition is given to people (especially children) who don't conform to the rules and demands of their environments.
This book starts with Hartmann's previously proposed idea that ADHD traits are consistent with a human genetic factor that was adaptive for "hunters" in the course of human evolution. He points out how many non-conformists in history became great inventors, leaders, and innovators, precisely because they were not forced to conform to prevailing dogmas and customs.
Rightly, Hartmann sees the current desire to force conformity as a dangerous threat to individuality and progress.
Hartmann recognizes that those labeled ADHD are often more sensitive and reactive than the norm, and need supportive conditions to help them flourish. The "negative" side of ADHD traits is most likely to appear when children are abused or over-stressed rather than nurtured. I would have liked to have seen this book go into more depth and provide more of the existing documentation about the various holistic approaches to helping those labeled ADHD thrive rather than be drugged and treated as disordered. The flaws and dangers of orthodox ways of responding to ADHD traits/behaviors could have also been explored further, although there are other books that cover that ground well and which lack the broad scope and perspective provided by Hartmann.
Overall, this book provides a lot of great insights. It recognizes those labeled ADHD as unique individuals with a variety of strengths and talents, and encourages society to examine itself and to learn from those seen as ADHD, rather than seeing ADHD behaviors as a disorder to suppress. The interaction of individual traits with various environmental conditions can yield behaviors and patterns that often get labeled ADHD. This gives the thoughtful person an opportunity to look for ways of helping the individual AND the society grow toward greater balance and maturity. There is much greater depth to consciousness, motivation, and creation than conventional paradigms consider, and authors like Thom Hartmann help us look beyond the surface to explore our greater potential and resist the urge to accept conformity and denial.

One of the best things that came out of reading this book was that it made me realize I don't need to force my child to conform to the norm. The most important thing I can do is foster my son's interests and support him in his endeavors. I found the way the author described the origins of the Edison Gene through examples of evolution and climate changes was fascinating. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with a bright child having problems in school (especially those that have been diagnosed as ADHD) and also adults investigating their own diagnosis of ADHD. (...)

As always, Hartmann has written a book that gives encouragement and hope for those of us who are ADD/ADHD. When my daughter and I were first diagnosed, Thom Hartmann's "Different Perception" was the first book I read. From the first book to this newest one, Hartmann makes those of us who are ADD feel as though we aren't sick or disordered. Both the "hunter theory" and the "Edison Gene" assist ADDers in finding their place in today's society... or just make their own spot. :-D

Now in paperwork is an outstanding coverage of ADHD and self esteem written by one who himself was expelled from school for ADHD behavior, but supported by a mother who rescued his self-esteem. Thom Hartmann surveys new genetic evidence that kids with ADHD have gifts and unique abilities. Their brains are wired to make them innovators, inventors, and more - the same qualities which often cause school problems reflect an underlying genius.

This book saved us. Understanding our son as a "hunter child" helped us to understand the frustration he must have felt at not fitting into a world tailored to "farmers." The book changed how we respond to him and gave us a new respect for his valuable talents. Hartmann's proposals coupled with anecdotes about his wife's successes with their own children helped us to design an approach that has turned our relationship around and skyrocketed his confidence in himself and drawn out an outstanding ability to regulate HIMSELF.

Finally - a book on ADD/ADHD that includes scientific/medical information that is informative without being overwhelming. All too often books on ADD/ADHD are written in an overly simplistic manner that almost seems condescending to a reader's personal experience and intelligence. Kudos to Thom Hartmann for writing a comprehensive book that speaks to a reader as an equal while raising the reader's awareness to a higher level of understanding.

I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for beyond the mainstream perceptions of what is currently referred to as "ADD" and "ADHD".

I thought the book was good. My only complaint was the beggining was a little too much science, but than it was loaded with lots of good information such as how to parent children with ADD. Most of the science stuff was interesting, but some good a little too technical. I have read several of Thom Hartmans books and would reccomend them all. His style is easy to read, yet full with practical information.
I would not recocmend the book unless you had ADD or your kid or a close family member did.

Loved it. Easy to read and fascinating new info. you won't find in other books on this topic