Genius Genes: How Asperger Talents Changed the World [Paperback]

Michael Fitzgerald (Author), Brendan O'Brien (Author), Kirsten McBride (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

This well-researched book challenges the way we often look at autism and Asperger Syndrome by proposing that many famous historical figures had autistic mindsets. Arguing that highly creative people are largely born and not made, the authors present case studies of the lives of 21 famous individuals, tying their personalities, talents and lifestyles to the major characteristics of Asperger Syndrome. The book demonstrates that many people with ASD have lived rich, complex, productive lives, and that their intelligence and special talents made a significant contribution to the world today. It is a great tool for increasing general knowledge and awareness about ASD as it offers a new perspective on an often negative perception of autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Fitzgerald is the first Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Ireland. His special interest is Asperger Syndrome. A Clinical and Research Consultant to the Irish Society for Autism and an Honorary Member of the Northern Ireland Institute of Human Relations, he has a doctorate in the area of autism and has been a researcher in this field since 1973. He trained at St. Patrick s Hospital, Dublin; Chicago Medical School; and The Maudsley Hospital and the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, London. He has clinically diagnosed over 1,500 individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome, and has served on the Government Task Force on Autism and the Family. He has contributed to international journals on autism and is the author of over 120 publications, including 16 books. Brendan O Brien, a freelance writer and editor with an interest in autism, lives in County Cavan, Ireland, with his wife and two teenage children. He has 20 years experience in the publishing industry, working for major companies in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Germany, and Switzerland. His editorial output has comprised 200 books, including several on autism and Asperger syndrome, and 1,200 journal papers, mainly in the scientific, technical and medical sector. Brendan has a B.Sc. degree in math and psychology, and coaches juvenile sports teams in his spare time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company; 1st edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282447
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282444
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Questionable consolation for parents of AS kids, don't expect more, March 30, 2008

By 

Q. Chang (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genius Genes: How Asperger Talents Changed the World (Paperback)

I'm a father of a kid with Asperger Syndrome, and I'm also a Ph.D. in psychology and neuroscience. When I saw the title, I was attracted by the word "HOW", i.e. what are the possible special psychological traits of AS, and how these traits link with creativity, discoveries and achievements - I want the updated research findings. And further more, I also hoped to get suggestions about how to parent a kid with AS, who may possess some "genius genes" but meanwhile clearly have multiple difficulties. Without passing these hurdles, even the basic success will be questionable to these AS kids.

I'm disappointed when I got this book because it almost exclusively talks about second-hand biographies or even legends of some great people in history who "may" have Asperger Syndrome. Although the authors sound very confident to make their "diagnosis" of AS on these great figures (such as Newton, Einstein, Thomas Jefferson), I personally don't think it is accurate (such as in Newton's case). Anyway, this is not what I care, and I don't need the consolation that since many great people have AS, I should feel better (I don't feel bad for my son). On the other hand, although the first author is an expert of AS, I'm surprise that this book lack two important things: 1. An analysis AS itself - at least these parts relevant to the topic, such as what factors are important for the future success (I don't mean to be a Newton) of an AS kid. 2. An analysis of Today's successful figures with AS. AS is not a rare disorder, there must be many highly achieved "geniuses" with AS nowadays in this world. Who are they, where are they, what are their psychological traits, what are their life stories, what make them successful (nature or nurture)...? I feel that the authors are not able to answer these important questions, but instead they pick a shortcut to write a book with fancy title.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read, March 26, 2008

By 

Teddy Dover "sarge" (Peabody, Ks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genius Genes: How Asperger Talents Changed the World (Paperback)

Genius Genes is an interesting review of a number of intellectuals, generals and politicians that may have met the criteria of Aspergers Syndrome or Aspergers Disorder. The brief biographies are concise and informative using some of the best biographies written about these individuals and present the evidence that the authors want to use to prove their position on the individual's diagnosis. Their thesis that Asperger's is one way for the emergence of creative and gifted thinking is proven if you accept that the highlighted individuals were Aspergers.

This book helps supply information regarding my interest in people who are creative, and those who are genius or near genius. It helps explain some of their quirks and what makes them interesting, and most of us have met someone that meets this definition.

Despite loving the book, I found the book repetitive at times. I also had some difficulty with the authors' overly frequent comparison of the individuals highlighted with philosophier Ludwig Wittgenstein. I found these frequent comparsions very distracting, and I felt if he was such a perfect case of Aspergers that a chapter should have been added and devoted to him. So distracting were these comparsions for me that I nearly rated the book as a 4 verse the 5 I gave it.

This book could be used as the basis for the belief that being 'normal' is not 'holy grail' for humanity. What is 'normal' anyway? Who wants to be mundane/normal anyway -- especially considering some of the crack pots who are trying to define what 'normal' is -- see the section on behaviorist J. B. Watson and the implications of his social engineering views to see my point?

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daring,Controversial,Brilliant Book, October 15, 2008

By 

Fred "Fred" (San Diego,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genius Genes: How Asperger Talents Changed the World (Paperback)

It takes a very original thinker to see a relationship between autistic children and Newton.Aspergers Syndrome,the missink link between Autism and Genius has mysteriosly been absent from the professional literature in the US untill recently.THe field was dominated for too long by Bruno Bettelheim and supporters,who denied a genetic basis and gave us instead Freudian fairy tales.The next book should seek to explain why the public is only now learning science that was first published in Germany in 1940.
THis is a fascinating groundbreaking book.