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

by Claudia Kalb Narrated by Lisa Larsen

Overview

Was Andy Warhol a hoarder? Did Einstein have autism? Was Frank Lloyd Wright a narcissist? In this surprising, inventive, and meticulously researched look at the evolution of mental health, acclaimed health and science 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 intriguing revelations, this smart narrative brings a new perspective to one of the hottest new topics in today's cultural conversation.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

12/07/2015
Kalb examines a diverse collection of 12 notables, including Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein, who suffered, or may have suffered, from mental health conditions. According to Kalb, Monroe purportedly had borderline personality disorder, Andy Warhol was an inveterate hoarder, and famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright exhibited narcissistic personality disorder. While Kalb can definitively describe the mental health conditions of some of the more contemporary figures—Betty Ford (alcoholism), Princess Diana (bulimia nervosa)—she needs to resort to speculation on historical figures, and the language suffers from the necessary caveats: Abraham Lincoln “likely suffered from clinical depression”; “it could be argued” Charles Darwin had anxiety; “Was Einstein on the autism spectrum?” Kalb’s training as a journalist, not a psychiatrist, occasionally shows in less than clinical descriptions: “People with depression... are wired for despondency.” Still, Kalb fruitfully employs diverse sources, including psychology studies and published biographies, to tell the undeniably fascinating stories of her subjects. This is an informative compilation and it’s certain to provide readers with fascinating stories to share about an array of famous names. Agent: Gail Ross, Ross Yoon Agency. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

[Author Claudia Kalb] fruitfully employs diverse sources, including psychology studies and published biographies, to tell the undeniably fascinating stories of her subjects. This is an informative compilation and it’s certain to provide readers with fascinating stories to share about an array of famous names.”—Publishers Weekly

"Kalb’s well-written exercise in applying modern psychiatric theory to historical figures, from Marilyn Monroe to Albert Einstein to Charles Darwin, certainly makes for some very entertaining armchair speculation." —Booklist, starred review

"With keen insight and a writerly flair, Claudia Kalb, one of the nations’s pre-eminent science journalists, has written a book that is at once profound and a great deal of fun. She takes us on an engrossing and original journey into the minds (and, yes, the madnesses) of some of history's most intriguing figures. Kalb explores nothing less than the mysteries of genius and of individuality."  —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of American Lion

 “A brilliant and fascinating journey into the perils that so often accompany genius. Spell-binding.”  —Edward Hallowell, M.D., co-author of Driven to Distraction

“With a sharp eye but forgiving, deep-seated sense of humanity, Claudia Kalb takes us into the netherworld where emotions make (and break) extraordinary figures from Marilyn Monroe to Albert Einstein. Compelling, intriguing, surprising and fun.”  —Evan Thomas, author of Richard Nixon: A Man Divided

“Claudia Kalb uses insights about the great men and women of history to animate today’s most gripping mental health headlines … A wonderful book.”  —Robin Marantz Henig, New York Times Magazine contributing writer and President, National Association of Science Writers

“Ms. Kalb…gently reframes the narratives of seemingly familiar but quirky celebrities and raises important questions to popular attitudes towards mental health.”-Forbes.com

“Claudia Kalb provides compelling insight into the fine line between mental illness and greatness and creativity that plagued some of history’s most celebrated icons.” –Caroline Howe for Dailymail.com

“While not a business book per se, her [Kalb’s] work does have relevance as more people are becoming aware of mental illness as a workplace issue.”-Harvard Business Review

“…mixing celebrity stories with a psychological analysis of their personalities… I found this to be a great read.” –Celebrity Books

“Kalb doesn’t just look at the possible positive effect of mental illness on creativity... She also examines the ways psychological disturbances can tragically cut short creative endeavors.”-BookPage

Library Journal

02/01/2016
Journalist Kalb (formerly of Newsweek) draws attention to 12 common mental health conditions by describing how each manifested itself in the personality of a historical figure. We learn that Marilyn Monroe probably suffered from borderline personality disorder; George Gershwin may have been afflicted by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and Frank Lloyd Wright demonstrated signs of narcissism. Individual chapters focus on a specific person and his or her situation, with Kalb first discussing the upbringing that formed their character, then introducing a mental illness, lucidly describing its etiology and manifestations. Drawing heavily on firsthand accounts, the author addresses individual cases, such as Betty Ford's alcoholism. She makes a cogent argument based on what is known of the individual and the condition being described. All in all, readers are left wondering what role the ailments played in the success of these individuals. VERDICT Expect wide appeal. This work will entertain those who enjoy reading about the quirks of the famous as well as inform those who may want to understand the disabilities discussed.—Lydia Olszak, Bosler Memorial Lib., Carlisle, PA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178663325
Publisher:	National Geographic
Publication date:	04/27/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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