The Genesis of Artistic Creativity

Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. Asperger's Syndrome and Writers; 1. Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745); 2. Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 75); 3. Herman Melville (1819 - 91); 4. Lewis Carroll (1832 - 98); 5. William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939); 6. Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930); 7. George Orwell (1903 - 50); 8. Bruce Chatwin (1940 - 89); Part II. Asperger's Syndrome and Philosophers; 9. Spinoza (1632 - 77); 10. Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804); 11. Simone Weil (1909 - 43); 12. A.J. Ayer (1910 - 89); Part III. Asperger's Syndrome and Musicians; 13. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 91); 14. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827); 15. Erik Satie (1866 - 1925); 16. Bela Bartok (1881 - 1945); 17. Glenn Gould (1932 - 82); Part IV. Asperger's Syndrome and Painters; 18. Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 90); 19. Jack B. Yeats (1871 - 1957); 20. L.S. Lowry (1887 - 1976); 21. Andy Warhol (1928 - 87); Conclusion; References; Index.

What features of Asperger's syndrome might foster artistic success? This is the question addressed by Michael Fitzgerald, who has already made significant contributions to the debate on autism and creativity. This new book from him is to be welcomed. Fitzgerald writes clearly for the layperson. His writing takes a psych-historical approach by documenting the life history and family background of persons with artistic genius and AS. The text will provide the reader with a greater understanding of AS and creative genius. This is an affordable and highly recommended read.