Sudden genius?

Creativity takes many forms, but are there characteristics shared by those perceived as geniuses in their chosen domain of art or science? In this highly readable account, Andrew Robinson considers the nature of genius. We begin by looking at the scientific study of creativity. From talent, intelligence, and versatility to memory, dreams, and mental illness, we find that there can be many ingredients to exceptional creativity. The central part of the book analyses periods of creative achievement and breakthrough in the lives of five scientists and five artists--including Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, Curie's discovery of radium, Einstein's theory of special relativity, Mozart's composing of The Marriage of Figaro, Virginia Woolf's writing of Mrs Dalloway, and Champollion's decipherment of the Egyptian hieroglyphic system. Robinson follows the trail that led these ten remarkable individuals from childhood to their greatest achievements as adults. His personal choices reflect the variety of creativity and genius and of the factors involved in their accomplishments. The final part asks what these ten highly creative individuals and many others have in common; if there are certain types of education, parental upbringing, and personality associated with genius: whether breakthroughs follow patterns; how creative science compares with artistic creation; and whether breakthroughs always involve imaginative leaps of discovery--so-called eurekas. Although breakthroughs may appear to have little in common, whether in art or science, it turns out that they almost always require at least ten years of immersion in a domain. --Book Jacket.