The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (a Little) Craziness and (a Lot Of) Success in America

Carrie Fisher, in addition to acting, is the author of acclaimed novels, and is a highly respected "script doctor." She is also bipolar, and has commented, "It's not all bad. The manic end is a lot of fun... just fantastic." Dr. Gartner argues that mania and hypomania - the "manic end" of the mood spectrum - are radically different. He acknowledges that mania "is a severe illness... Manic episodes almost always end in hospitalization. People who are highly energized, and also in most cases psychotic, do bizarre things that are dangerous, frightening, and disruptive." In the book, he gives clear explanations based on his clinical experience, plus stories of accomplished people which support the main theme of the book: that many, perhaps most, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople are hypomanic. It is easy to find many examples of leaders in business and the arts who show the typical range of traits: "filled with energy... flooded with ideas... driven, restless, and unable to keep still... often works on little sleep... feels brilliant, special, chosen, perhaps even destined to change the world... can be euphoric... is a risk taker..." It is helpful to understand these qualities are not necessarily pathological, but positive qualities that talented people can use for success.

I am a former patient of Dr. Gartner and a mentalhealth professional as well. In reading his book and then reading some of the reviews( especially the NY Times interview) I began to wonder if we were all reading the same book. I found the book to be entetaining, funny and astoundly accurate. I have treated many patients who are exactly as John describes in his book. I my self have or have had most of the characteristics described in "the Hypomanic Edge". When I spoke with Dr. Gartner last week he asked me what I thought, I told him you "got it right!". I have long held the view that most of the written material in field is just recycled trivia, completely useless. This book is ground breaking and we need more of John Gartner and less of Dr. Phil and his ilk who write books that are more Jacquline Susan and about as usefull as the novel "Love Story". Psychodoc

It strikes me that there are two really interesting forms of writing in psychology; one that analyzes complex ideas in complex language, and one that breaks down complex ideas in simple language. Both have their place, yet neither is easy to pull off successfully. Gartner has captured the latter form of writing quite handily in The Hypomanic Edge. His central thesis, that a hypomanic character is actually a desirable way of being, is at once counterintuitive from prevailing cultural logic, and simultaneously one of those ideas that, in retrospect, seems so obviously true and useful that it's hard to imagine why we didn't think of it before. The intellectual clarity of Gartner's opening and closing chapters, coupled with the biographically and psychologically rich middle chapters on several important entrepreneurial figures through the centuries, makes for an enlightening and eminently readable book. Gartner has managed to generate a fresh angle on well-trodden clinical and historical ground. This in itself is quite noteworthy and refreshing, and I'm sure the book will be rewarding to most who open it.

John Gartner's unique new book is a tour de force It is a page turner which I could not put down. Dr. Gartner brings to life men from each of America's five centuries as he interweaves his story of how genetically driven mood alteration altered America. Hypomania is a form of bipolar disorder that gave these men the restless energy, incessant sleepless speech and work capacities that made them world altering giants, but also the impulsivity, reckless speech, and, with most, delusional excesses which sowed the seeds of their ultimate personal decline. The book reads like a novel but cites an impressive array of sources in over 800 footnotes to document his thesis that America is a nation of immigrants who come here because of their bipolar genes. This "immigrant drive" made America a leader in business, the arts, science, religion and finance, and Dr. Gartner demonstrates how with literary skill and clincal accuracy. He writes of the supreme accomplishments and pathological excesses of Christopher Columbus, 17th century religious leaders, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Carnagie, the Hollywood Selznicks and Mayers, and the discoverer of the human genome Craig Venter. In each chapter Dr. Gartner gives the reader the background history, and sociological and technological information necessary to highlight the significance of the person's achievment. He uses written sources, but also has impressively and extensively interviewed biographers, colleagues, decendents, and Dr. Venter himself, making the stories The Hypomanic Edge with information, surprises, humor, and compassion. As a practicing psychoanalyst and psychiatrist I was very impressed with the scientific quality of the book, but having shared the book with several members of my family, I can attest that the the non-professional reader will find the book equally compelling.

Don't be misled by the cursory dismissals contained in some of the "professional" reviews. I am a psychologist and I know Gartner. This is the most interesting psychology book that I have read in quite a few years. However, that is not saying much as most psychology books are uninspiring. Whether you agree with him or not (I'm not sure that I do) it is an interesting read and a well thought out presentation. If you are going to disagree with him, you will have to work at it. The link between genius and craziness has been discussed before and is not the most interesting part of this book. What is useful is the examination and documentation of the lives he chose to illustrate his thesis. More important are the implications for managing creativity and ambition. Gartner's examples are of those whose success contains the seeds of their downfall. Those of us in the field know many whose "inspired imagination" and "unrelenting drive" routinely insure that any measure of success will elude them.