Andy Warhol was a Hoarder: Inside the Minds of History's Great Personalities

by Claudia Kalb

Paperback, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

BIO

Publication

National Geographic

Pages

320

Description

"Was Andy Warhol a hoarder? Did Einstein have autism? In this surprising and inventive look at the evolution of mental health, respected journalist Claudia Kalb gives readers a glimpse into the lives of high-profile historic figures through the lens of modern psychology, weaving groundbreaking research into biographical narratives that are deeply embedded in our culture. From Marilyn Monroe's borderline personality disorder to Charles Darwin's anxiety, Kalb provides compelling insight into a broad range of maladies, using historical records and interviews with leading mental health experts, biographers, sociologists, and other specialists. Packed with fascinating revelations, this smart narrative brings a new perspective to one of the hottest new topics in today's cultural conversation"--… (more)

Description

Kalb paints a picture of how mental illness has influenced some of the greatest personalities in history. Topics explored: Did Lincoln suffer from depression? Was Einstein on the autistic spectrum? Did George Gershwin have ADHD? There's also a look at Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, and Betty Ford. Many aspects of the human psyche are explored including OCD, hoarding, and transgender.

Each story discusses the historical surrounding of the celebrity's life, then Kalb makes her case for why that person had a mental health condition. Kalb gives the reader a fascinating look into what made some of history's most poignant characters tick.

Kalb's writing style is easy to read and engages the reader. Her tone is genuine and sincere. How Andy Warhol hid his hoarding behavior was the story that surprised me the most. Betty Ford's story was the one that touched me the most as it's a struggle many can identify with.

The book takes a psychological look at the unique people who have touched our lives. It's, fascinating, riveting, and engrossing.

Table of Contents
Introduction 9

Marilyn Monroe 19

Howard Hughes 37

Andy Warhol 59

Princess Diana 77

Abraham Lincoln 101

Christine Jorgensen 121

Frank Lloyd Wright 145

Betty Ford 173

Charles Darwin 197

George Gershwin 221

Fyodor Dostoevsky 239

Albert Einstein 261

Afterword 289

Sources and Notes 293

Acknowledgments 315

Collection

Barcode

3289

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

320 p.; 8.1 inches

ISBN

9781426219474

User reviews

LibraryThing member Beamis12
Absolutely fascinating. So little is still understood about the human brain. Taking twelve well known figures from the past, their upbringing, genetic markers and diagnosing them in the present day, the author presents interesting case studies on how these individuals were effected by events and
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environment. Marilyn Monroe to Dostoevsky, Einstein to Warhol, various addictions or mental afflictions, all well researched, well presented. Shows how different areas in the brain are actually different or changed by these diseases. How hard they are to diagnose with so many overlapping symptoms. Treatments that have success, treatments in the past that were non existent or just did not work.

Mental illness funds are drying up in the present day, diagnoses still carry a terrible stigma. Often diseases are seen as a weakness not a real illness. Temple Grandin relates a very informative warning about the danger of trying to manipulate genetic markers, that we may not like the result.
What amazed me after reading this is how successful these people were despite the handicaps they had to live with. Made me admire them even more, feel a great deal of sorrow form what they had to go through. More aware and sympathetic for those who are fighting these battles today.

ARC from publisher.
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LibraryThing member dirac
It was an interesting read but with some of the people, it seemed to be reaching to find some sort of illness.
LibraryThing member knightlight777
An intriguing look into the recesses of the minds and proclivities of twelve famous people in history Claudia Kalb sheds light on the things that make us tick, or otherwise. We are given Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana, Abraham Lincoln, Christine Jorgensen, Frank Lloyd
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Wright, Betty Ford, Charles Darwin, George Gershwin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Albert Einstein. Enough material here to exam indefinitely without going crazy.

Each of these individuals dealt with an overriding challenge that shaped their character and lives in different ways but not altogether negatively. They all achieved fame unlike most of us but dealt with the demons that plagued them to a degree but also made them very human just like all of us.

Many lessons and aspects of these conditions are looked at and dissected in a way to gain perspective on what and where we draw the line on normal. Questions as to treatment and cure are raised to debate in line with our fix-it medical culture also. Much to ponder here in the dark recesses of our own minds.
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LibraryThing member Berly
This was an enjoyable, easy read about celebrities and their psychological problems. Some are confirmed illnesses and some are supported conjecture. Well-written and fascinating, this book looks at the lives of Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Princes Diana, Andy Warhol, Betty Ford, Dostoevsky, Frank
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Lloyd Wright, Howard Hughes, Abraham Lincoln, Christine Jorgenson, Charles Darwin, and George Gershwin. Their issues included borderline personality disorder, alcoholism, gambling, hoarding, anxiety, depression, autism, Bulimia, ADHD and more. But you'll have to read the book to see which diagnosis goes with which personality!!

The author, Claudia Kalb, is an award-winning journalist who specializes in the fields of science and medicine. She was a former senior writer for Newsweek and has published in the Smithsonian and Scientific American. And I went to college with her and she is a really nice person! Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Iambookish
3.5 Interesting book about famous folks and their mental health.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
A list of world famous people with personality disorders as she describes them from DSM, sans footnotes or other references.

Some were interesting, some were boring. Some people had pretty full biographies some not so much. A lot of psychological allegations & supposition.

What she wrote about
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Marilyn Monroe pissed me off; saying that Marilyn Monroe made up the stories about her being abused while in foster care... Seriously?
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LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
Part biography, part psychological journal. I quite enjoyed it.

Rating

½ (22 ratings; 3.6)

Call number

BIO
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