{"product_id":"the-genius-myth-a-curious-history-of-a-dangerous-idea-9798217178575","title":"The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom acclaimed \u003ci\u003eAtlantic\u003c\/i\u003e staff writer and host of BBC's podcast \"The New Gurus\" Helen Lewis comes a timely and provocative interrogation of the myth of genius, exploring the surprising inventions, inspirations and distortions by which some lives are elevated to 'greatness' - and others are not \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eABOUT THE BOOK \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e*A \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew Statesman \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eGQ \u003c\/i\u003eBook for 2025* \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eYou can tell what a society values by who it labels as a genius. You can also tell who it excludes, who it enables, and what it is prepared to tolerate. In \u003ci\u003eThe Genius Myth\u003c\/i\u003e, Helen Lewis unearths how this one word has shaped (and distorted) our ideas of success and achievement. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eUltimately, argues Lewis, the modern idea of genius -- a single preternaturally gifted individual, usually white and male, exempt from social niceties and sometimes even the law-- has run its course. Braiding deep research with her signature wit and lightness, Lewis dissects past and present models of genius in the West, and reveals a far deeper and more interesting picture of human creativity than conventional wisdom allows. She uncovers a battalion of overlooked wives and collaborators. She asks whether most inventions are inevitable. She wonders if the Beatles would succeed today. And she confronts the vexing puzzle of Elon Musk, the tech disrupter who fancies himself as an \u003ci\u003eubermensch\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSmart, funny, and provocative, \u003ci\u003eThe Genius Myth\u003c\/i\u003e will challenge your assumptions about creativity, productivity, and innovation --- and forever alter your mental image of the so-called \"genius.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Thesis\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/17\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798217178575\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.25lbs","brand":"Helen Lewis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45316485513397,"sku":"9798217178575","price":25.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_e54e2b4a-8e07-4a8f-af09-35833863431a.jpg?v=1745331484","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-genius-myth-a-curious-history-of-a-dangerous-idea-9798217178575","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}