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The Man of Genius

Cesare Lombroso
 (1835 - 1909)

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 categorized as "pseudoscience". 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 listening.

Read by Leon Harvey

Run Time 12 Hours 18 Minutes in 13 Audio CDs


Section --- Chapter --- Run Time

1 00 - PREFACE - 14:12
2 01 - PART 1.THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GENIUS. CHAPTER 1. HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. Aristotle, Plato,... - 08:04
3 02 - CHAPTER II. GENIUS AND DEGENERATION. The signs of degeneration, Height, Rickets, Emaciation,... - 01:12:50
4 03 - CHAPTER III. LATENT FORMS OF NEUROSIS AND INSANITY IN GENIUS. Chorea and Epilepsy, Melancholy,... - 58:16
5 04 - CHAPTER IV. GENIUS AND INSANITY. Resemblance between genius and insanity, Men and women of... - 01:07:56
6 05 - PART 2. THE CAUSES OF GENIUS. CHAPTER I. METEROLOGICAL INFLUENCES OF GENIUS, The influence of... - 35:02
7 06 - CHAPTER II. CLIMATIC INFLUENCES ON GENIUS. Influence of great centers, Race and hot climate,... - 35:37
8 07 - CHAPTER III. THE INFLUENCE OF RACE AND HEREDITARY ON GENIUS AND INSANITY. Race, Insanity, The... - 36:44
9 08 - CHAPTER IV. THE INFLUENCE OF DISEASE ON GENIUS. Spinal diseases, Fevers, Injuries to the head... - 03:52
10 09 - CHAPTER V. THE INFLUENCE OF CIVILIZATION AND OF OPPORTUNITY. Large Towns Large Schools,... - 16:49
11 10 - PART 3. GENIUS IN THE INSANE. CHAPTER I. INSANE GENIUS IN LITERATURE. Periodicals published in... - 35:12
12 11 - CHAPTER II. ART IN THE INSANE. Geographical distribution, Profession, Influence of the special... - 52:32
13 12 - CHAPTER III. LITERARY AND ARTISTIC MATTOIDS. Definition, Physical and psychical... - 01:07:23
14 13 - CHAPTER IV. Part 1. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. Part played by the insane in... - 33:16
15 14 - CHAPTER IV. Part 2. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. Francis of Assisi, Luther,... - 01:06:01
16 15 - CHAPTER IV. Part 3. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOS LUNATICS AND MATTOIDS. San Juan de Dios,... - 44:59
17 16 - PART IV. SYNTHESIS. THE DEGENERATIVE PSYCHOSIS OF GENIUS. CHAPTER I. Characteristics of Insane... - 29:59
18 17 - CHAPTER II. ANALOGY OF SANE TO INSANE GENIUS. Want of character, Pride, Precocity, Alcoholism,... - 10:22
19 18 - CHAPTER III. THE EPILEPTOID NATURE OF GENIUS. Etiology, Symptoms, Confessions of men of... - 32:02
20 19 - CHAPTER IV. SANE MEN OF GENIUS. Their unperceived defects, Richelieu, Sesostris, Foscolo,... - 10:55
21 20 - CHAPTER V. Conclusions - 06:20


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