Islands of Genius

Islands of Genius
Author: Darold A. Treffert
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2011-10-12
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1849058733

In this fascinating book, Dr. Treffert looks at what we know about savant syndrome, and at new discoveries that raise interesting questions about the hidden brain potential within us all. He looks both at how savant skills can be nurtured, and how they can help the person who has them, particularly if that person is on the autism spectrum.

Islands of Genius

Islands of Genius
Author: Darold A. Treffert
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2010-05-15
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0857003186

* Gold Medal Winner in the Psychology / Mental Health Category of the 2011 IPPY Awards * * Silver Medal Winner in the 2010 BOTYA Awards Psychology Category * Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance - "islands of genius" - that exist in contrast with their overall limitations. In this fascinating book, Dr. Darold Treffert looks at what we know about this remarkable condition, and at new discoveries that raise interesting questions about the hidden brain potential within us all. Dr. Treffert explores the phenomena of genetic memory - instances in which individuals somehow "know" things they never learned - and sudden genius or "acquired savantism" - where a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a head injury or stroke. Showing that these phenomena point convincingly towards a reservoir of untapped potential - an inner savant capacity - within us all, he looks both at how savant skills can be nurtured, and how they can help the person who has them, particularly if that person is on the autism spectrum. A central colour section contains the extraordinary artwork of some of the savants who are mentioned in the book. Islands of Genius will intrigue anyone who has ever wondered what makes the mind of a savant tick, as well as clinicians, parents, teachers, therapists, and others who care for, and about, individuals with savant syndrome.

Extraordinary People

Extraordinary People
Author: Darold A. Treffert
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Intellectual disability
ISBN: 9780595092390

For the first time in Extraordinary People, the psychiatrist who was a consultant to the movie Rain Man, collects the most fascinating cases of Savant Syndrome both in history and modern times. Dr. Treffert documents the spectacular abilities—the islands of genius—in these remarkable persons, and describes as well the love, determination and dedication of their equally remarkable families, teachers and caretakers. He shares the observations of the far-reaching implications this astonishing condition has for understanding brain function and hidden potential in all of us.

Struck by Genius

Struck by Genius
Author: Jason Padgett
Publisher: HMH
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2014-04-22
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0544045645

From head trauma to scientific wonder—a “deeply absorbing . . . fascinating” true story of acquired savant syndrome (Entertainment Weekly). Twelve years ago, Jason Padgett had never made it past pre-algebra. But a violent mugging forever altered the way his brain worked. It turned an ordinary math-averse student into an extraordinary young man with a unique gift to see the world as no one else does: water pours from the faucet in crystalline patterns, numbers call to mind distinct geometric shapes, and intricate fractal patterns emerge from the movement of tree branches, revealing the intrinsic mathematical designs hidden in the objects around us. As his ability to understand physics skyrocketed, the “accidental genius” developed the astonishing ability to draw the complex geometric shapes he saw everywhere. Overcoming huge setbacks and embracing his new mind, Padgett “gained a vision of the world that is as beautiful as it is challenging.” Along the way he fell in love, found joy in numbers, and spent plenty of time having his head examined (The New York Times Book Review). Illustrated with Jason’s stunning, mathematically precise artwork, his singular story reveals the wondrous potential of the human brain, and “an incredible phenomenon which points toward dormant potential—a little Rain Man perhaps—within us all” (Darold A. Treffert, MD, author of Islands of Genius: The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired, and Sudden Savant). “A tale worthy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! . . . This memoir sends a hopeful message to families touched by brain injury, autism, or neurological damage from strokes.” —Booklist “How extraordinary it is to contemplate the bizarre gifts that might lie within all of us.” —People

The Superhuman Mind

The Superhuman Mind
Author: Berit Brogaard, PhD
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2015-08-25
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 069819036X

Did you know your brain has superpowers? Berit Brogaard, PhD, and Kristian Marlow, MA, study people with astonishing talents—memory champions, human echolocators, musical virtuosos, math geniuses, and synesthetes who taste colors and hear faces. But as amazing as these abilities are, they are not mysterious. Our brains constantly process a huge amount of information below our awareness, and what these gifted individuals have in common is that through practice, injury, an innate brain disorder, or even more unusual circumstances, they have managed to gain a degree of conscious access to this potent processing power. The Superhuman Mind takes us inside the lives and brains of geniuses, savants, virtuosos, and a wide variety of ordinary people who have acquired truly extraordinary talents, one way or another. Delving into the neurological underpinnings of these abilities, the authors even reveal how we can acquire some of them ourselves—from perfect pitch and lightning fast math skills to supercharged creativity. The Superhuman Mind is a book full of the fascinating science readers look for from the likes of Oliver Sacks, combined with the exhilarating promise of Moonwalking with Einstein.

Presentation Genius

Presentation Genius
Author: Simon Raybould
Publisher: John Murray Business
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2015-07-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1473615011

The fast-track MBA in presenting Imagine having instant access to the world's smartest thinking on presentations - and being shown exactly what to do to guarantee that you get your own presentations right, every time. Presentation Genius makes it easy to apply what researchers know about brilliant presentations to the real world. 40 chapters based on hundreds of cutting-edge business and psychology research projects reveal what works and what doesn't work when you're presenting. Each of the 40 chapters is a mini-masterclass in presentations, explaining the research and showing you how to apply it next time you present. In business, conventional wisdom often says one thing while research says another. Presentation Genius cuts through the noise to bring you proven research and techniques for applying it that will simply make you a better presenter. Quick to read and intensely practical, this book will bring a little presentation genius into your day. 'This book will make you a better presenter' Paul McGee - The Sumo Guy. International speaker and bestselling author 'What a great little book! There is something here for everyone. Experts will find new ideas (and some science) to test and polish their performances; novices will get a flying start with a whole range of presentation skills, which the rest of us had to learn by trial and error' Peter Judge, MBE, Attorney General of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 'An invaluable aid to anyone who wants to be sure to get information of any type across to audiences of all sizes' Dr Joanna Berry, Director of External Relations at Newcastle University Business School

Literary Genius

Literary Genius
Author: Joseph Epstein
Publisher: Paul Dry Books
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2007
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1589880358

Profiles of 25 great writers whose works help us see the world in new ways.

Newton

Newton
Author: Patricia Fara
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Total Pages: 439
Release: 2011-07-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1447204530

Isaac Newton is now universally celebrated as a genius of science, renowned for his innovatory work on gravity and optics. Yet Newton did not always enjoy such legendary status. His posthumous reputation has constantly changed and is riddled with contradictions. NEWTON investigates the different ways in which Newton's life and works have been interpreted at different times. It charts his transformation into a scientific genius, explaining the changing attitude of the scientific community towards Newton's ideas, from Berkeley to Einstein. It also explores the making of Newton the national hero, through the myths that surround him and the many artistic and literary descriptions of him. NEWTON tells the fascinating story of Newton's reputation, shedding light on the growth of science generally and on our changing attitude towards our intellectual heritage. 'Fara's brilliant book is not so much a biography as the story of a phenomenon . . . fascinating' Scotsman 'Fara does not debunk Newton as recent novelists have but delivers him more whole and greater than ever' Sunday Herald

Romantic Genius

Romantic Genius
Author: Andrew Elfenbein
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 284
Release: 1999
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780231107532

Elfenbein takes on the absorbing subject of homosexuality in British Romantic writing, showing the centrality of disreputable desires to the works of Romantic male authors--from William Beckford to Samuel Taylor Coleridge to William Blake--as well as to the writings of lesser-known but equally significant female authors of the period.

Girl Genius: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg clank

Girl Genius: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg clank
Author: Phil Foglio
Publisher: Studio Foglio
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2010-07-20
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN: 9781890856502

Meet Zesty Tastee, flamboyant gay playboy and heir to the Tastee Corporationfortune. That's what the world knows of him, but Zesty is also Magpie, thecorporate saboteur who fights against his father's corrupt business practices.Zesty's evil tycoon dad is out to destroy an entire rainforest, and he's joinedup with a mysterious sect of ninjas to help keep 'Magpie' from interfering.Prince Ander is the sect agent on the case and Zesty has love at first sight forthis dreamy ninja master. Zesty can't understand why anyone as noble as Princewould ever work with his father. His mission is to find out the secret of therain forest, and win Prince's heart in the process!