Customer Reviews

Profiles of Genius: Thirteen Creative Men Who Changed the World

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This book has a deceptive title that suggests that it is objectively focusing on the concept of genius. I think that if you were to ask the average person to start naming the smartest people in the world, you would end up with names like Einstein and Mozart, Michelangelo and Bobby Fischer. Even given that Landrum was going for people who have displayed genius in the last forty years, I'm sure that there are people who rate higher on an IQ test than the thirteen men Landrum has chosen.

And so, this book is much more a measure and study of what goes into business success than it is a blueprint for genius. By identifying thirteen men and thirteen characteristics that can be emulated for financial gain, Landrum is giving business advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, and I wish that the title of the book reflected that.

Aside from that, I'm not sure that the book does a good job of identifying thirteen separate personality traits that drive success. For one thing, many of the traits seem to overlap or even seem somewhat synonymous. The personality traits of being competitive, driven, and passionate are extremely similar, if not identical. For another thing, all of the personality traits are described in glowing, positive terms. Where are the traits of ruthlessness, greed, and insecurity that also drive some of the market forces that drive success?

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, and I realize that this book can serve the valuable function of inspiring those who undertake the very difficult job of being an entrepreneur. I started and ran my own business for seven years, and realize that there is some sound business advice in this book that can help someone to make their own dreams come true.

But I don't want anyone to think that this book is something that it's not. It's not a book about genius, nor is it a scientifically sound piece of research. I'd recommend it to business owners or inventors, but not to those who are truly interested in the nature of the human mind.

This excellent book fills a need for biographies of entrepreneurs who have shaped the modern world. The chapters pack a lot of useful information with a clear focus on what is important. They cover childhood and education as well as adult business life. The personality theories used help to relate the stories to the professional literature, but do not detract from the richness of the descriptions. These portraits will be useful to anyone thinking of life as an entrepreneur as well as to parents and educators dealing with creative youth.

Landrum has selected and then examined "thirteen creative men who have changed the world." You may disagree with some of the selections and with portions of Landrum's discussion of each selection but there should be no disagreement with the value of this book as an analysis of creative genius at work in a wide range of global organizations. The first five chapters examine:

Creative Genius -- What Makes the Difference?

Innovation, Change, and the Creative Personality Ten Reasons Why Traditional Management Types Are Inept at Innovation

The Paradox of Innovation

The Inno-visionary Personality

Inno-visionary and Creative Behavior

These five chapters and the final chapter alone are well worth the price of the book. Landrum devotes a separate chapter to each of 13 men, beginning with Steven Jobs (Apple) and concluding with Ted Turner (CNN). To each he assigns a dominant characteristic. For example, for Jobs "autocratic" and for Turner "risk-taking." According to which criteria did Landrum make his selections? He explains in his Preface: Father of the Industry, Five-Year Market Dominance, Technology or Market Created by the Entrepreneur, Mass-Market Appeal, and Contemporary Development (ie since 1950). I rate this book as highly as I do for three reasons. First, Landrum defines his standards of measurement with meticulous care. Second, he resists the obvious temptation to manipulate his subjects to achieve a snug fit with those standards of measurement. Finally, he provides a wealth of information about each of the 13 which reveals their personal qualities as well as their extraordinary achievements.

In the final chapter, Landrum suggests that "The inno-visionary personality is necessary for the making of the consummate entrepreneur and change master. This personal style is available to anyone inclined to pursue it. These visionary leaders had it, which gave them an ability to focus on goals and dreams, a macro vision to see their dreams through to fruition, and the passionate energy to persevere when all seemed lost." These are indeed men with exceptional vision and courage, determination and self-assurance, charisma and intuition, passion and persuasiveness. How easy it is to list such descriptives. How difficult it is to be worthy of them. As Landrum makes abundantly clear, the 13 "creative men" are certainly worthy. Buy the book, read the first five chapters with an open-mind, and then join the company of those who have helped to create a world we are only now beginning to understand.

If you admire this book as much as I do, you are encouraged to read another of Landrum's books, Profiles of Female Genius. These 13 "creative women" can not only hold their own with Steve Jobs, Fred Smith, Tom Monaghan, Nolan Bushnell, Bill Gates, Marcel Bich, Solomon Price, Howard Head, William Lear, Soichiro Honda, Akio Morita, Arthur Jones, and Ted Turner....they can hold their own with anyone.

The book is in a word, fantastic! In crisp detail it tells the reader exactly how the creative genius thinks, acts and what specific character traits enabled him to reach the pinnacle in the area he decided to conquer. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. However it's not for the faint of heart. It is in no way a pop psychology feel good "you can do it" type of book. Out of the hundreds of psychology, business and self improvment books I've read this is at the top. Bravo Gene Landrum!

Great book insightful the only book i think is better is another one of his books! So far i have 4 the best of which is Profiles of Power & Success.

Maybe I'm biased for being a Ted Turner fan ... but this book will make you cry with inspiration and hope!

This is a good overview of how and why people create. Lots of good and varied case studies.