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The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea
A timely and provocative interrogation of the myth of genius, exploring the surprising inventions, inspirations, and distortions that elevate some lives to greatness and not others
One can tell what a society values by who it labels "genius." One can also tell who it excludes, who it enables, and what it is prepared to tolerate. In The Genius Myth, journalist Helen Lewis unearths how this one word has shaped, and distorted, ideas of success and achievement.
Lewis argues that 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 whether the Beatles would succeed today. And she confronts the vexing puzzle of Elon Musk, the tech disrupter who fancies himself an Übermensch.
Smart, funny, and provocative, The Genius Myth will challenge readers' assumptions about creativity, productivity, and innovation—and forever alter their mental image of the so-called genius.
One can tell what a society values by who it labels "genius." One can also tell who it excludes, who it enables, and what it is prepared to tolerate. In The Genius Myth, journalist Helen Lewis unearths how this one word has shaped, and distorted, ideas of success and achievement.
Lewis argues that 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 whether the Beatles would succeed today. And she confronts the vexing puzzle of Elon Musk, the tech disrupter who fancies himself an Übermensch.
Smart, funny, and provocative, The Genius Myth will challenge readers' assumptions about creativity, productivity, and innovation—and forever alter their mental image of the so-called genius.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 2025
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5778 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 29, 2025
Quite an interesting book about what is meant by ‘genius’ and how geniuses are made, why some people are considered geniuses and others not etc. There is a lot about IQ tests and how they were used to determine whether a person might turn out a genius or not (not very successfully). The author discusses the people who have supported geniuses and enabled them to concentrate on their work, long suffering wives etc. and she raises the question of how many geniuses might never have got to fulfill their potential because of sex, race, class etc. She concentrates on geniuses who have been difficult and demanding, and seems to prefer to ignore those who have led relatively ordinary lives. She refers early in the book to ‘the Jane Austen problem’ but doesn’t elaborate on that, Jane Austen I suppose wasn’t temperamental enough to suit her idea of a genius. Likewise she writes a lot about Picasso but not much about artists whose lives were less turbulent. I strongly disagree with her that art and architecture stagnated in the Middle Ages - the period produced glorious art and architecture. When I finished reading the book I still wasn’t entirely sure what she thought of geniuses or, really, what point she was trying to make.
August 2, 2025
When Helen Lewis's book The Genius Myth was released in summer 2025, it ruffled some feathers on social media--I know, this should go without saying; feathers exist in a perpetual state of rufflement on social media--from people who assumed it was a book about how there's no such thing as genius. They were incorrectly assuming that Lewis's title referred to dictionary definition #2 of myth, a widely held false belief or idea, rather than definition #1, a narrative used to explain a concept or phenomenon. Would geniuses make such a logical mistake? Hard to say. Lewis's book would likely have ruffled the same feathers regardless, given that her investigation of the history of arbitrarily labeling people, men primarily, as geniuses all leads directly to the present-day case of Elon Musk, whose story both begins and ends the book. Lewis's claims are compelling, even if she does try to shoehorn feminism in places where it doesn't always fit and her examples sometimes feel more random than systematic. I really enjoy Lewis's work for The Atlantic and appearances on various podcasts, where she's always a witty and wry highlight. I wish there'd been a little more humor in her book, but I'd recommend it to anyone interested in geniuses and the cultural stories we tell about them.
June 7, 2025
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an interesting read, but (after reading the text) I was still unsure exactly what the author wanted to present. There are good arguments for why some people are considered "genius" and others not as well as good cultural explanations. In the end the author states that "there are many seeds of genius in the world. We must nurture as many as we can" and yet directly prior she says "we should be humble about where those qualities can be found." How is the average person to recognize genius if the author of a book on genius seems to not know if, and how, genius manifests itself and how to celebrate it.
This was an interesting read, but (after reading the text) I was still unsure exactly what the author wanted to present. There are good arguments for why some people are considered "genius" and others not as well as good cultural explanations. In the end the author states that "there are many seeds of genius in the world. We must nurture as many as we can" and yet directly prior she says "we should be humble about where those qualities can be found." How is the average person to recognize genius if the author of a book on genius seems to not know if, and how, genius manifests itself and how to celebrate it.
June 26, 2025
An Engrossing Examination of a Concept that has changed a lot.
The subject of genius is a fascinating one. Helen Lewis looks at the history of the word. It’s earliest meaning was a a thing that happened to people. Ordinary people would suddenly be animated by the sprit of genius and their achievements would rise above the usual.
Lewis argues that after Vasari wrote his account of the great artists in renascence Florence, genius became something you could be, a quality you are born with. And that is how it has stayed ever since.
Once she has established this Lewis takes us on a whistlestop tour of modern ‘genii’, not just one’s we’ve heard of but ones that never were, only were because someone told them they were, or were but did something so bad they lost the unofficial title. She takes examples from the worlds of the arts, literature, and modern tech bros (but never sport which she does apologise for as it’s due to a lack in her knowledge and not the lack of genius in those fields).
I found this book really enjoyable and I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in modern history and current affairs.
The subject of genius is a fascinating one. Helen Lewis looks at the history of the word. It’s earliest meaning was a a thing that happened to people. Ordinary people would suddenly be animated by the sprit of genius and their achievements would rise above the usual.
Lewis argues that after Vasari wrote his account of the great artists in renascence Florence, genius became something you could be, a quality you are born with. And that is how it has stayed ever since.
Once she has established this Lewis takes us on a whistlestop tour of modern ‘genii’, not just one’s we’ve heard of but ones that never were, only were because someone told them they were, or were but did something so bad they lost the unofficial title. She takes examples from the worlds of the arts, literature, and modern tech bros (but never sport which she does apologise for as it’s due to a lack in her knowledge and not the lack of genius in those fields).
I found this book really enjoyable and I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in modern history and current affairs.
July 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and hope everyone reads it. Helen Lewis wrote about a topic that’s extremely important in this day and age, which is what we consider “genius” to be. She instantly hooked me by discussing the idea of Elon Musk being a genius in the intro, and then she started going through the history of various people who have been considered geniuses. She critically discusses why these figures were called geniuses and why we need to challenge that idea.
My only critique is purely personal preference, and it’s that I wish it used a few more modern-day examples. I didn’t know who most of the people were that she discussed, so it was cool learning about them. But I do wish she touched on more people from recent years aside from Elon Musk. Again, that’s nothing against this book because it’s just hard to sell me on historical stuff. At the end of the day, I highly recommend this book because there are far too many public “intellectuals” held in high regard, and they’re not as smart as people think they are.
My only critique is purely personal preference, and it’s that I wish it used a few more modern-day examples. I didn’t know who most of the people were that she discussed, so it was cool learning about them. But I do wish she touched on more people from recent years aside from Elon Musk. Again, that’s nothing against this book because it’s just hard to sell me on historical stuff. At the end of the day, I highly recommend this book because there are far too many public “intellectuals” held in high regard, and they’re not as smart as people think they are.
July 15, 2025
What if we identified genius in specific actions or works instead of more broadly labeling an individual associated with the action or work as a genius? What if genius is more the result of the right collaboration at the right moment in time? What if we are mistaking single acts of genius as a sign of broad intelligence denoting expertise in all fields? Do we glorify the idea of genius and allow a host of ill behaviors by those who exhibit it, making them a special class of people?
This book explores how the answers to these questions may very well all be a resounding yes, debunking mythology surrounding individual geniuses while still valuing their unique and incredible contributions to the world.
With the way the book was structured, it never felt like the author presented us with a specific, cohesive formula for what makes a genius. The reader is left to read the whole book and piece together what is and isn’t genius, and why- it never felt explicitly defined. Thus, in trying to explain this book to others, I’ve got lots of anecdotes to refer to, but no digestible takeaway.
This book explores how the answers to these questions may very well all be a resounding yes, debunking mythology surrounding individual geniuses while still valuing their unique and incredible contributions to the world.
With the way the book was structured, it never felt like the author presented us with a specific, cohesive formula for what makes a genius. The reader is left to read the whole book and piece together what is and isn’t genius, and why- it never felt explicitly defined. Thus, in trying to explain this book to others, I’ve got lots of anecdotes to refer to, but no digestible takeaway.
June 24, 2025
What a great read. A really intelligent analysis and deconstruction of the societal construct of genius.
August 26, 2025
A superb overview of the stories we tell about people who are described as geniuses.
Insightful, witty and thoroughly enjoyable.
Insightful, witty and thoroughly enjoyable.
September 6, 2025
well researched
Fascinating concept and good execution. The book is nothing if not timely.
Lewis definitely shed much-needed light on a lot of whitewashed historical figures.
Fascinating concept and good execution. The book is nothing if not timely.
Lewis definitely shed much-needed light on a lot of whitewashed historical figures.
July 16, 2025
Brilliant. I would say Helen Lewis is a genius, but she would say I didn’t pay attention to the last chapter.
July 13, 2025
Brilliant Debunking: Lewis Expertly Dismantles Our Most Seductive Cultural Myth
Helen Lewis has written a provocative and necessary book that challenges one of our most cherished beliefs: that exceptional individuals are the primary drivers of human progress. As Lewis observes, "You 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." This insight forms the backbone of a work that's both intellectually rigorous and surprisingly entertaining.
The Atlantic staff writer and BBC podcast host brings her trademark wit and analytical sharpness to bear on a subject that touches everything from Silicon Valley culture to artistic achievement. Lewis doesn't argue that exceptional ability doesn't exist—rather, she interrogates how we identify, celebrate, and mythologize certain individuals while systematically overlooking the collaborative networks that make innovation possible. Her analysis reveals that "behind every individual genius is a crowd and a big PR machine."
The book's strength lies in Lewis's ability to weave together historical analysis, cultural criticism, and contemporary case studies. She traces how the concept of genius has evolved from divine inspiration to a marketable personal brand, showing how this transformation has distorted our understanding of creativity and achievement. Her examination of figures like Elon Musk is particularly incisive, demonstrating how genius status in one domain can be leveraged into unearned authority across completely unrelated fields.
Lewis's writing is accessible without sacrificing depth, making complex ideas digestible for general readers while offering fresh insights for those already familiar with the territory. Her exploration of "scenius"—the collective creativity of communities and movements—provides a compelling alternative framework that better explains how breakthrough innovations actually emerge. The Beatles chapter alone is worth the price of admission, revealing how much of what we attribute to individual brilliance was actually the product of circumstance, collaboration, and cultural timing.
The book occasionally suffers from trying to cover too much ground. Some arguments about the gendered and racialized aspects of genius attribution could benefit from deeper exploration, and certain sections feel rushed despite their importance. Lewis also sometimes struggles to balance her critical stance with fair assessment of genuine achievement, though this tension is perhaps inevitable given the subject matter.
Despite these minor limitations, "The Genius Myth" succeeds as both cultural criticism and intellectual history. Lewis has created an essential text for understanding how we think about talent and success in the modern world. The book will change how you view celebrated figures and, more importantly, how you think about the collaborative nature of human achievement. It's a timely reminder that our obsession with individual brilliance blinds us to the networks of support, influence, and circumstance that make all accomplishment possible.
Helen Lewis has written a provocative and necessary book that challenges one of our most cherished beliefs: that exceptional individuals are the primary drivers of human progress. As Lewis observes, "You 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." This insight forms the backbone of a work that's both intellectually rigorous and surprisingly entertaining.
The Atlantic staff writer and BBC podcast host brings her trademark wit and analytical sharpness to bear on a subject that touches everything from Silicon Valley culture to artistic achievement. Lewis doesn't argue that exceptional ability doesn't exist—rather, she interrogates how we identify, celebrate, and mythologize certain individuals while systematically overlooking the collaborative networks that make innovation possible. Her analysis reveals that "behind every individual genius is a crowd and a big PR machine."
The book's strength lies in Lewis's ability to weave together historical analysis, cultural criticism, and contemporary case studies. She traces how the concept of genius has evolved from divine inspiration to a marketable personal brand, showing how this transformation has distorted our understanding of creativity and achievement. Her examination of figures like Elon Musk is particularly incisive, demonstrating how genius status in one domain can be leveraged into unearned authority across completely unrelated fields.
Lewis's writing is accessible without sacrificing depth, making complex ideas digestible for general readers while offering fresh insights for those already familiar with the territory. Her exploration of "scenius"—the collective creativity of communities and movements—provides a compelling alternative framework that better explains how breakthrough innovations actually emerge. The Beatles chapter alone is worth the price of admission, revealing how much of what we attribute to individual brilliance was actually the product of circumstance, collaboration, and cultural timing.
The book occasionally suffers from trying to cover too much ground. Some arguments about the gendered and racialized aspects of genius attribution could benefit from deeper exploration, and certain sections feel rushed despite their importance. Lewis also sometimes struggles to balance her critical stance with fair assessment of genuine achievement, though this tension is perhaps inevitable given the subject matter.
Despite these minor limitations, "The Genius Myth" succeeds as both cultural criticism and intellectual history. Lewis has created an essential text for understanding how we think about talent and success in the modern world. The book will change how you view celebrated figures and, more importantly, how you think about the collaborative nature of human achievement. It's a timely reminder that our obsession with individual brilliance blinds us to the networks of support, influence, and circumstance that make all accomplishment possible.
August 18, 2025
This is a wonderful book. Lewis is a gifted writer who knows how to tell as story while communicating important ideas.
Her key insight is that the "deficit" model of genius -- world-changing geniuses are necessarily damaged in some way, whether by autism (Elon Musk) or just being a raging asshole (Steve Jobs) -- is simply not true.
The most well-known "geniuses" just have a good PR team. Why are "normal" geniuses like Jane Austen and James Clerk Maxwell not as well known as Charles Dickens and Albert Einstein?
Sexism is part of it, but also they were just very smart people who focused on doing their work and didn't feel the need to surround themselves with sycophants.
And it goes beyond household names. Lewis recounts the story of Chris Goode, a British playwright whose daring, sexualized works turned out to be mostly a cover for sexual abuse and pedophilia. He has largely been erased from the Internet, but the unwitting co-conspirators know who they are. They hyped up the "genius" label partly in service of their own ambition. When it all fell apart, a handful atoned for their role, but the rest have just quietly moved on.
Then there are the wives. Sophia Tolstoy, Leo's wife, was a crucial part of his success and made great sacrifices along with way, only to be tossed aside at the end. In the 20th century, Lee Krasner put up with regularly monstrous behavior from Jackson Pollock to help turn him into a star. Her own groundbreaking work as an artist was downplayed as a result. She finally started getting recognition near the end or he life and may ultimately be remembered as the more important member of the pair.
Her key insight is that the "deficit" model of genius -- world-changing geniuses are necessarily damaged in some way, whether by autism (Elon Musk) or just being a raging asshole (Steve Jobs) -- is simply not true.
The most well-known "geniuses" just have a good PR team. Why are "normal" geniuses like Jane Austen and James Clerk Maxwell not as well known as Charles Dickens and Albert Einstein?
Sexism is part of it, but also they were just very smart people who focused on doing their work and didn't feel the need to surround themselves with sycophants.
And it goes beyond household names. Lewis recounts the story of Chris Goode, a British playwright whose daring, sexualized works turned out to be mostly a cover for sexual abuse and pedophilia. He has largely been erased from the Internet, but the unwitting co-conspirators know who they are. They hyped up the "genius" label partly in service of their own ambition. When it all fell apart, a handful atoned for their role, but the rest have just quietly moved on.
Then there are the wives. Sophia Tolstoy, Leo's wife, was a crucial part of his success and made great sacrifices along with way, only to be tossed aside at the end. In the 20th century, Lee Krasner put up with regularly monstrous behavior from Jackson Pollock to help turn him into a star. Her own groundbreaking work as an artist was downplayed as a result. She finally started getting recognition near the end or he life and may ultimately be remembered as the more important member of the pair.
August 1, 2025
“The Genius Myth” is a history covering why humans have created geniuses and the stories around so-called geniuses.
The book covers the idea that people develop myths around geniuses and discusses the history of geniuses – covering historical characters including Shakespeare, Newton, and ending up discussing more modern geniuses including Thomas Edison and Elon Musk.
It outlines many topics including the times where genius develops, the conditions and support for this, and some of the characteristics related to being considered a genius. Do you really need to be strange, awkward or just a dick?
Mainly it covers the flaws in the thinking behind geniuses – leaving us with the thought that the word “genius” should not be used for a particular class or type of person; rather, people, and perhaps more people than we officially recognise have moments, or do things, that we should consider to be “genius”.
I like the topic and the research the author put into it. But mostly I loved her wry wit and humour when discussing the idea of genius, how we make myths around them, and why this thinking is wrong.
What I did find missing was why people are so wired to accept the myths around genius. For example, why do we want to have a genius in our midst? Is it aspirational? Does it give us hope and drive us to be better? Or perhaps do we have a need for hierarchy in our societies? I think the author could have discussed more about how the myths of genius fill important human needs.
That said, this was a well written and funny book. I fully recommend reading it!
The book covers the idea that people develop myths around geniuses and discusses the history of geniuses – covering historical characters including Shakespeare, Newton, and ending up discussing more modern geniuses including Thomas Edison and Elon Musk.
It outlines many topics including the times where genius develops, the conditions and support for this, and some of the characteristics related to being considered a genius. Do you really need to be strange, awkward or just a dick?
Mainly it covers the flaws in the thinking behind geniuses – leaving us with the thought that the word “genius” should not be used for a particular class or type of person; rather, people, and perhaps more people than we officially recognise have moments, or do things, that we should consider to be “genius”.
I like the topic and the research the author put into it. But mostly I loved her wry wit and humour when discussing the idea of genius, how we make myths around them, and why this thinking is wrong.
What I did find missing was why people are so wired to accept the myths around genius. For example, why do we want to have a genius in our midst? Is it aspirational? Does it give us hope and drive us to be better? Or perhaps do we have a need for hierarchy in our societies? I think the author could have discussed more about how the myths of genius fill important human needs.
That said, this was a well written and funny book. I fully recommend reading it!
June 28, 2025
"Some people are so monstrously indulged that their demands scorch everything around them. Others are given so little support that the flame of their talent is extinguished."
I read this after reading Helen Lewis' excellent previous book Difficult Women. I really enjoyed the reminder that people contain multitudes, you can achieve great things in one area of life, and yet still be a complete wacko in another. I also liked the fact she was attributing some well known advances in social services / feminism etc back to the women who helped create them, naming them.
This book almost does that opposite, by showing the selective and unfair nature of why some names go down in the annals of history, whilst others are forgotten. She is putting the act of genius before the name, dismantling the hero worship of some household names and highlighting the unseen scaffolding of support, favourable circumstances, happenstance that allowed some of the most famous names in history - Tolstoy, Picasso, ... , Musk - to rise to the top.
I should add as a parent of children who are on summer holiday and have interrupted me about three hundred times over the twenty minutes it has taken for me to log this review, this felt particularly pertinent. I am not suggesting by any means that I am attempting any act of genius, but I wonder if Tolstoy would have managed to complete War and Peace, if he had four people asking him for snacks every five minutes.
I read this after reading Helen Lewis' excellent previous book Difficult Women. I really enjoyed the reminder that people contain multitudes, you can achieve great things in one area of life, and yet still be a complete wacko in another. I also liked the fact she was attributing some well known advances in social services / feminism etc back to the women who helped create them, naming them.
This book almost does that opposite, by showing the selective and unfair nature of why some names go down in the annals of history, whilst others are forgotten. She is putting the act of genius before the name, dismantling the hero worship of some household names and highlighting the unseen scaffolding of support, favourable circumstances, happenstance that allowed some of the most famous names in history - Tolstoy, Picasso, ... , Musk - to rise to the top.
I should add as a parent of children who are on summer holiday and have interrupted me about three hundred times over the twenty minutes it has taken for me to log this review, this felt particularly pertinent. I am not suggesting by any means that I am attempting any act of genius, but I wonder if Tolstoy would have managed to complete War and Peace, if he had four people asking him for snacks every five minutes.
August 17, 2025
Helen Lewis’s The Genius Myth is a smart, engaging look at how we talk about “genius” and why that label often does more harm than good. Instead of celebrating human creativity and collaboration, society has tended to single out individuals and crown them as somehow special, almost above the rest of us.
Lewis traces this history with lively storytelling, showing how figures like Thomas Edison, William Shockley, and Elon Musk became wrapped in the genius label. Edison’s fame often hid the fact that many of his breakthroughs depended on teams of collaborators. Shockley’s scientific brilliance was overshadowed by his harmful promotion of eugenics, a stark reminder that “genius” status can shield deep flaws. Musk, today’s lightning rod, illustrates how the myth fuels both admiration and controversy, often distracting from the collective work behind technological progress.
The book’s best insight is its call to stop worshipping “geniuses” as a category of person and start recognizing acts of genius—those moments of insight, innovation, or courage that can come from anywhere. By shifting focus, Lewis argues, we can honor creativity without elevating people into untouchable figures.
Readable, sharp, and persuasive, The Genius Myth challenges us to rethink how we tell the story of innovation.
Lewis traces this history with lively storytelling, showing how figures like Thomas Edison, William Shockley, and Elon Musk became wrapped in the genius label. Edison’s fame often hid the fact that many of his breakthroughs depended on teams of collaborators. Shockley’s scientific brilliance was overshadowed by his harmful promotion of eugenics, a stark reminder that “genius” status can shield deep flaws. Musk, today’s lightning rod, illustrates how the myth fuels both admiration and controversy, often distracting from the collective work behind technological progress.
The book’s best insight is its call to stop worshipping “geniuses” as a category of person and start recognizing acts of genius—those moments of insight, innovation, or courage that can come from anywhere. By shifting focus, Lewis argues, we can honor creativity without elevating people into untouchable figures.
Readable, sharp, and persuasive, The Genius Myth challenges us to rethink how we tell the story of innovation.
July 13, 2025
While I appreciate the historical context and interesitng anecdotes, and I do agree wih the author on some things, I feel like this book is worth less, just because the author writes about intellect, intelligence and "geniousness", while being intellectually limited. The book ist mostly gossip.
In the year 2025 the author still believs cvd scam and notes that vacs "saved millions of lives".
Al Gore was apparenly right and "people deny climat change"
If the book had more brain power (raw intellect), then there would be less of "people deny cvd vax" or "people deny climate change", "people think that" and etc., but more on specific stuff like "people believe that industrialization has very limited impact on the climate which always changes even without human intervention", or "people do not trust cvd vax, because there are no proper controlled studies that proove their effectivnes", or "people believe that scientists who published papers on pcr testing and existance of cvd did not do proper negative controlls which makes their papers scientifically invalid"
And why bring such topics in the book about talent anyway?
The book is devoid of scpecifics (other than specifics on who said what and when), but it is still a fun read and has some interesting arguments, if you wish to entertain yourself in gossip.
In the year 2025 the author still believs cvd scam and notes that vacs "saved millions of lives".
Al Gore was apparenly right and "people deny climat change"
If the book had more brain power (raw intellect), then there would be less of "people deny cvd vax" or "people deny climate change", "people think that" and etc., but more on specific stuff like "people believe that industrialization has very limited impact on the climate which always changes even without human intervention", or "people do not trust cvd vax, because there are no proper controlled studies that proove their effectivnes", or "people believe that scientists who published papers on pcr testing and existance of cvd did not do proper negative controlls which makes their papers scientifically invalid"
And why bring such topics in the book about talent anyway?
The book is devoid of scpecifics (other than specifics on who said what and when), but it is still a fun read and has some interesting arguments, if you wish to entertain yourself in gossip.
August 9, 2025
Interesting way to highlight the Myth of bring a genius. I liked that the author pooled geniuses in categories or 'bunched' them in their era. what I found her insightful observations that a genius did not reach their potential until they lived in an enlightened area with other super minds - Geniuses. Florence, Silicon Valley, Germany, France, England, each delivered multiple geniuses in a single generation. There are 'one off' brilliant minds who don't fit into any category, and their path was unique. Studying the brilliant has freed those who really don't fit, except in their minds, & lead to breakthroughs in learning.
I do recommend this to anyone who doesn't understand or believe in Geniuses. I believe brilliance is not exclusive to humans. Many creatures are brilliant, and that has been ignored by the stupid humans.
I do recommend this to anyone who doesn't understand or believe in Geniuses. I believe brilliance is not exclusive to humans. Many creatures are brilliant, and that has been ignored by the stupid humans.
August 20, 2025
nice one
Insightful, funny. Really makes you think about our conception of the genius and how we revere people in history for it. I liked that you’re made to question the mythology that arises around such people, and how and why and where that comes from. Although it may render you a little bit more cynical about humanity than you were before. But maybe that’s good, because we’re being a little bit more realistic and less idolizing, and it does level the playing field a little bit, or at least better recognize that the “genius” is actually a specialist. Just because they may be revolutionary in one field, idea, or skill, doesn’t mean they are adept and expert in everything—which is perhaps a misconception or mistaken assumption we are programmed to make having been conditioned with the genius myth all our lives.
Insightful, funny. Really makes you think about our conception of the genius and how we revere people in history for it. I liked that you’re made to question the mythology that arises around such people, and how and why and where that comes from. Although it may render you a little bit more cynical about humanity than you were before. But maybe that’s good, because we’re being a little bit more realistic and less idolizing, and it does level the playing field a little bit, or at least better recognize that the “genius” is actually a specialist. Just because they may be revolutionary in one field, idea, or skill, doesn’t mean they are adept and expert in everything—which is perhaps a misconception or mistaken assumption we are programmed to make having been conditioned with the genius myth all our lives.
August 18, 2025
Very interesting read
I remember when my eldest son started kindergarten the principal of his school remarked at an assembly that they had identified 20 children that year as gifted. I couldn't help but wonder how these lucky ones were selected. What separated them from the kids sent to remedial classes, or regular classes serving as a yard monitor I noticed there were considerable crossover between the groups at recess. This book answers a lot of questions , explaining Mensa and IQ tests along the way. The author explains a lot about past genius' and those that are in the world now.
I remember when my eldest son started kindergarten the principal of his school remarked at an assembly that they had identified 20 children that year as gifted. I couldn't help but wonder how these lucky ones were selected. What separated them from the kids sent to remedial classes, or regular classes serving as a yard monitor I noticed there were considerable crossover between the groups at recess. This book answers a lot of questions , explaining Mensa and IQ tests along the way. The author explains a lot about past genius' and those that are in the world now.
August 11, 2025
I liked the idea of the book and agree with it's main points, but found the book meandering too much, too sensationalist and anecdotal by focussing on individual people, too much personal opinion instead of focussing on more solid scientific evidence. I also felt the writing and structure of the book could have been improved a lot by stating main messages of individual chapters first and making these points more clearly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 17, 2025The Genius Myth is a thought-provoking, accessible call to dismantle hero worship and embrace a less lonely, more inclusive view of creativity. While it leans into familiar critiques, its charm lies in Lewis’s sharp voice and relevant storytelling. For anyone ready to challenge their assumptions about brilliance—and see genius in every corner of society—it’s a compelling read.
July 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Lewis's writing is insightful and entertaining, and I do feel the general hypothesis that she defends is timely and important, and she doesn't try to press her point as if it were gospel, but rather open up a much-needed conversation about the stories we tell ourselves as a society.
June 26, 2025
Going to need to read it again soon, as it was a delightful read (better than difficult women and that had been my best read of the year!). Incredibly well-researched, clever, and Helen’s humor oozes through the page !
July 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this, mostly learning the back stories about people I’ve never heard of (Chris Goode) to Edison.
The author does a fantastic job of narrating her own book.
The author does a fantastic job of narrating her own book.
July 24, 2025
'Bout damn time someone took Marilyn Vos Savant down a peg. That said, I feel the strongest chapter was that on Chris Goode and the lack of accounting that followed his death.
July 25, 2025
DNF at 48%; just a lot of babbling about eugenics, IQ scores, and COVID deniers.
August 1, 2025
Entertaining and breezily written, but lacking a clear definition of ‘genius’, so making it hard to know what, specifically, Lewis is ‘refuting’.
August 5, 2025
DNF@38%
I was bored
I was bored
August 5, 2025
Any interesting idea with some good arguments
August 7, 2025
Fascinating to read and very well-researched. I hugely enjoyed it
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