Many recognized geniuses had creative capacities that were driven by bouts of manic intensity followed by the depths of mind-numbing despair. From Plato, who originated the idea of inspired mania, to Beethoven, Dickens, Newton, Van Gogh, and today's popular creative artists and scientists who've battled manic depression, this intriguing work examines creativity and madness in mystery, myth, and history. Demonstrating how manic depression often becomes the essential difference between talent and genius, Hershman and Lieb offer valuable insights into the many obstacles and problems this illness poses for highly creative people. Lieb critiques the wave of new books on depression as well as those on creativity to determine how far we have come in our understanding of this complex illness. The authors also explode the myth that suffering is essential to creativity. Guides for the manic depressive are suggested to reduce emotional pain and personal problems while increasing productivity.
By:
D. Jablow Hershman, Julian Lieb Imprint: Prometheus Country of Publication: United States Dimensions:
Height: 207mm,
Width: 141mm,
Spine: 18mm
Weight: 313g ISBN:9781573922418 ISBN 10: 1573922412 Pages: 230 Publication Date:01 August 1998 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
,
A / AS level
,
Undergraduate
Format:Other merchandise Publisher's Status: Active
IN
Reviews for Manic Depression and Creativity
This splendidly written book has a brisk flow and is clearly organised to be enjoyable and informative. -- American Journal of Psychiatry