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"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)
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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
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User reviews
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.
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.
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.
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