The Man of Genius


Read by Leon Harvey

(2 stars; 2 reviews)

Famous criminologist, anthropologist, and psychiatrist, Dr Lombroso, investigated the memetic anecdotal belief that genius is associated with degenerative symptoms, or may even be a version of insanity, and presented his findings as a fascinating and controversial theory that the creative and imaginative celebrities throughout history have also displayed what he termed as "atavistic" symptoms, or defects resembling what is commonly seen in the unwell. Citations of evidence are drawn from a rich variety of references sources, including autopsy reports of brains and skulls, biographical data, the influence of environmental and seasonal changes on inventiveness, and even from the records of thousands of admittance into prisons and asylums of France and Italy. This book can be considered as a sort of sequel to his better known and also highly controversial theories about criminality associated with physical manifestations, often categorised as "psuedoscience". However, it should be noted that although his claims are factual and verifiable, his choice of selective evidence and the absence of a control group should be considered when reading the book. - Summary by Leon Harvey (0 hr 18 min)

Chapters

PREFACE 14:12 Read by Leon Harvey
PART 1.THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GENIUS. CHAPTER 1. HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. Aristo… 8:04 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER II. GENIUS AND DEGENERATION. The signs of degeneration, Height, Rickets… 1:12:50 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER III. LATENT FORMS OF NEUROSIS AND INSANITY IN GENIUS. Chorea and Epilep… 58:16 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. GENIUS AND INSANITY. Resemblance between genius and insanity, Men a… 1:07:56 Read by Leon Harvey
PART 2. THE CAUSES OF GENIUS. CHAPTER I. METEROLOGICAL INFLUENCES OF GENIUS, Th… 35:02 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER II. CLIMATIC INFLUENCES ON GENIUS. Influence of great centres, Race and… 35:37 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER III. THE INFLUENCE OF RACE AND HEREDITARY ON GENIUS AND INSANITY. Race,… 36:44 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. THE INFLUENCE OF DISEASE ON GENIUS. Spinal diseases, Fevers, Injuri… 3:52 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER V. THE INFLUENCE OF CIVILIZATION AND OF OPPORTUNITY. Large Towns Large … 16:49 Read by Leon Harvey
PART 3. GENIUS IN THE INSANE. CHAPTER I. INSANE GENIUS IN LITERATURE. Periodica… 35:12 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER II. ART IN THE INSANE. Geographical distribution, Profession, Influence… 52:32 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER III. LITERARY AND ARTISTIC MATTOIDS. Definition, Physical and psychical… 1:07:23 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. Part 1. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. Part played b… 33:16 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. Part 2. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. Francis of As… 1:06:01 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. Part 3. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. San Juan de D… 44:59 Read by Leon Harvey
PART IV. SYNTHESIS. THE DEGENERATIVE PSYCHOSIS OF GENIUS. CHAPTER I. Characteri… 29:59 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER II. ANALOGY OF SANE TO INSANE GENIUS. Want of character, Pride, Precoci… 10:22 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER III. THE EPILEPTOID NATURE OF GENIUS. Etiology, Symptoms, Confessions o… 32:02 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER IV. SANE MEN OF GENIUS. Their unperceived defects, Richelieu, Sesostris… 10:55 Read by Leon Harvey
CHAPTER V. Conclusions 6:20 Read by Leon Harvey

Reviews

Interesting book, lousy reader.


(3 stars)

The book has some good ideas, though it seems excessively wordy. I couldn't listen to the whole thing though on account of the rapid, husky monotone of the reader. So 👍for the book, and 🖓for the reading.

Too Bad...


(1 stars)

It's a shame, such a nice voice but the reader is in such a rush that hat one is severely challenged to understand what he is saying.