Staff Pick
This book is such a cool idea, I can’t believe it hasn’t been done before. Rather than born gifted, Weiner believes that geniuses are grown, and he examines the places and time periods that produced some of the world’s greatest minds. A fascinating read. Recommended By Britt A., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Travel the world with Eric Weiner, the
New York Times bestselling author of
The Geography of Bliss, as he journeys from Athens to Silicon Valley — and throughout history, too — to show how creative genius flourishes in specific places at specific times.
In The Geography of Genius, acclaimed travel writer Weiner sets out to examine the connection between our surroundings and our most innovative ideas. He explores the history of places, like Vienna of 1900, Renaissance Florence, ancient Athens, Song Dynasty Hangzhou, and Silicon Valley, to show how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity. And, with his trademark insightful humor, he walks the same paths as the geniuses who flourished in these settings to see if the spirit of what inspired figures like Socrates, Michelangelo, and Leonardo remains. In these places, Weiner asks, “What was in the air, and can we bottle it?”
This link can be traced back through history: Darwins theory of evolution gelled while he was riding in a carriage. Freud did his best thinking at this favorite coffee house. Beethoven, like many geniuses, preferred long walks in the woods.
Sharp and provocative, The Geography of Genius redefines the argument about how genius came to be. His reevaluation of the importance of culture in nurturing creativity is an informed romp through history that will surely jumpstart a national conversation.
Review
“A charming mix of history and wisdom cloaked as a rollicking travelogue.” Walter Isaacson, bestselling author of Steve Jobs
Review
“An intellectual odyssey, a traveler’s diary, and a comic novel all rolled into one. Smart, original, and utterly delightful.” Daniel Gilbert, Harvard professor and bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness
About the Author
Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, which has been translated into twenty languages, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God. A former correspondent for NPR and The New York Times, Weiner’s work has appeared in the New Republic, Slate, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, The New York Times Magazine, and the anthology Best American Travel Writing. VIsit EricWeinerBooks.com
Eric Weiner on PowellsBooks.Blog
Describe your latest book.
The Geography of Genius is a book that defies easy categorization. It's travelogue, history, social science, biography, and humor book all rolled into one. I wouldn't call it a self-help book, though it contains plenty...
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