- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (1 Mar 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743243447
- ISBN-13: 978-0743243445
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.2 x 3.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 571,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Hypomanic Edge
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Product Description
Product Description
Based on in-depth interviews of successful entrepreneurs, and on the biographers of his historical subjects, Gartner defines the hypomanic temperament and its manifestations. Then he demonstrates its power in action, offering some portraits that span America's history - Columbus who discovered America, John Winthrop who defined it, Alexander Hamilton who pointed to its future, Andrew Carnegie who built its fortune, Louis B. Mayer who glorified its ideals in movies, and Craig Venter, who is inventing its genetic future. Though these men are extraordinary figures, Gartner says many Americans carry the genes that have made them the most successful citizens in the world.
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Christopher Columbus is the archetype of the American entrepreneur. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Christopher Columbus is the archetype of the American entrepreneur. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
'The Hypomanic Edge' by John Gartner is basically the proposal of a link between what the Americans refer to as 'Bipolar Affective Disorder Type 2,' essentially a milder form of what used to be referred to as 'Manic Depression,' and the frenetic creativity of American society upon which a large part of their success has been built.
What Gartner means by 'Hypomania' is the elated mood associated with Bipolarity complete with its exuberance, over-activity, restlesness, over-talkativeness, flight of ideas, risk-taking, grandiosity and impulsivity but without the psychotic symptoms - such as delusional ideas - to be found in full blown Bipolar Affective Disorder ('Manic Depression'.)
By way of chapter by chapter 'case studies' Gartner pinpoints key figures in American history - such as Columbus, Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Carnegie - who typify this trend and highlights the link between 'Hypomania' and the same qualities which have propelled America's ever increasing expansion.
Gartner's argument is persuasive, he argues that as a nation of immigrants America has always attracted a disproportionate amount of 'hypomanics' to its shores - the argument being that you would have to be exuberantly self-confident and energetic ('hypomanic' in Gartner's eyes) to risk everything and travel hundreds of miles to a landmass where you would be starting with nothing and no guarantee's of better prospects in the future - and that these genetic traits have been carried on to future generations of Americans.
It would be easy to criticise Gartner's thesis, he plays loose with the concept of 'Hypomaina' and seems to think that almost everyone significant in American history was Bipolar, his thesis is also not in the least scienitifically rigorous but that said I found it a highly enjoyable read and one I would recommend to anyone interested either in American history or in mood disorders.
What Gartner means by 'Hypomania' is the elated mood associated with Bipolarity complete with its exuberance, over-activity, restlesness, over-talkativeness, flight of ideas, risk-taking, grandiosity and impulsivity but without the psychotic symptoms - such as delusional ideas - to be found in full blown Bipolar Affective Disorder ('Manic Depression'.)
By way of chapter by chapter 'case studies' Gartner pinpoints key figures in American history - such as Columbus, Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Carnegie - who typify this trend and highlights the link between 'Hypomania' and the same qualities which have propelled America's ever increasing expansion.
Gartner's argument is persuasive, he argues that as a nation of immigrants America has always attracted a disproportionate amount of 'hypomanics' to its shores - the argument being that you would have to be exuberantly self-confident and energetic ('hypomanic' in Gartner's eyes) to risk everything and travel hundreds of miles to a landmass where you would be starting with nothing and no guarantee's of better prospects in the future - and that these genetic traits have been carried on to future generations of Americans.
It would be easy to criticise Gartner's thesis, he plays loose with the concept of 'Hypomaina' and seems to think that almost everyone significant in American history was Bipolar, his thesis is also not in the least scienitifically rigorous but that said I found it a highly enjoyable read and one I would recommend to anyone interested either in American history or in mood disorders.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
24 reviews
42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Brilliant
13 Mar 2005
Format:Hardcover
John Gartner's unique new book is a tour de force It is a page turner which I could not put down. Dr. Gartner brings to life men from each of America's five centuries as he interweaves his story of how genetically driven mood alteration altered America. Hypomania is a form of bipolar disorder that gave these men the restless energy, incessant sleepless speech and work capacities that made them world altering giants, but also the impulsivity, reckless speech, and, with most, delusional excesses which sowed the seeds of their ultimate personal decline. The book reads like a novel but cites an impressive array of sources in over 800 footnotes to document his thesis that America is a nation of immigrants who come here because of their bipolar genes. This "immigrant drive" made America a leader in business, the arts, science, religion and finance, and Dr. Gartner demonstrates how with literary skill and clincal accuracy.
He writes of the supreme accomplishments and pathological excesses of Christopher Columbus, 17th century religious leaders, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Carnagie, the Hollywood Selznicks and Mayers, and the discoverer of the human genome Craig Venter. In each chapter Dr. Gartner gives the reader the background history, and sociological and technological information necessary to highlight the significance of the person's achievment. He uses written sources, but also has impressively and extensively interviewed biographers, colleagues, decendents, and
Dr. Venter himself, making the stories The Hypomanic Edge with information, surprises, humor, and compassion.
As a practicing psychoanalyst and psychiatrist I was very impressed with the scientific quality of the book, but having shared the book with several members of my family, I can attest that the the non-professional reader will find the book equally compelling.
He writes of the supreme accomplishments and pathological excesses of Christopher Columbus, 17th century religious leaders, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Carnagie, the Hollywood Selznicks and Mayers, and the discoverer of the human genome Craig Venter. In each chapter Dr. Gartner gives the reader the background history, and sociological and technological information necessary to highlight the significance of the person's achievment. He uses written sources, but also has impressively and extensively interviewed biographers, colleagues, decendents, and
Dr. Venter himself, making the stories The Hypomanic Edge with information, surprises, humor, and compassion.
As a practicing psychoanalyst and psychiatrist I was very impressed with the scientific quality of the book, but having shared the book with several members of my family, I can attest that the the non-professional reader will find the book equally compelling.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Dr. Gartner's Hypomanic Patient
1 May 2005
Format:Hardcover
I am a former patient of Dr. Gartner and a mentalhealth professional as well. In reading his book and then reading some of the reviews( especially the NY Times interview) I began to wonder if we were all reading the same book. I found the book to be entetaining, funny and astoundly accurate. I have treated many patients who are exactly as John describes in his book. I my self have or have had most of the characteristics described in "the Hypomanic Edge". When I spoke with Dr. Gartner last week he asked me what I thought, I told him you "got it right!". I have long held the view that most of the written material in field is just recycled trivia, completely useless. This book is ground breaking and we need more of John Gartner and less of Dr. Phil and his ilk who write books that are more Jacquline Susan and about as usefull as the novel "Love Story".
Psychodoc
Psychodoc
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
virtues of the manic end
18 Jun 2005
Format:Hardcover
Carrie Fisher, in addition to acting, is the author of acclaimed novels, and is a highly respected "script doctor." She is also bipolar, and has commented, "It's not all bad. The manic end is a lot of fun... just fantastic."
Dr. Gartner argues that mania and hypomania - the "manic end" of the mood spectrum - are radically different. He acknowledges that mania "is a severe illness... Manic episodes almost always end in hospitalization. People who are highly energized, and also in most cases psychotic, do bizarre things that are dangerous, frightening, and disruptive."
In the book, he gives clear explanations based on his clinical experience, plus stories of accomplished people which support the main theme of the book: that many, perhaps most, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople are hypomanic.
It is easy to find many examples of leaders in business and the arts who show the typical range of traits: "filled with energy... flooded with ideas... driven, restless, and unable to keep still... often works on little sleep... feels brilliant, special, chosen, perhaps even destined to change the world... can be euphoric... is a risk taker..."
It is helpful to understand these qualities are not necessarily pathological, but positive qualities that talented people can use for success.
Dr. Gartner argues that mania and hypomania - the "manic end" of the mood spectrum - are radically different. He acknowledges that mania "is a severe illness... Manic episodes almost always end in hospitalization. People who are highly energized, and also in most cases psychotic, do bizarre things that are dangerous, frightening, and disruptive."
In the book, he gives clear explanations based on his clinical experience, plus stories of accomplished people which support the main theme of the book: that many, perhaps most, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople are hypomanic.
It is easy to find many examples of leaders in business and the arts who show the typical range of traits: "filled with energy... flooded with ideas... driven, restless, and unable to keep still... often works on little sleep... feels brilliant, special, chosen, perhaps even destined to change the world... can be euphoric... is a risk taker..."
It is helpful to understand these qualities are not necessarily pathological, but positive qualities that talented people can use for success.
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