Struck By Genius: How a Brain Injury Made Me a Mathematical Marvel Hardcover – April 22, 2014

The story is interesting. The subject matter as well. But the writing is quite bad making it boring at times when the actual story is anything but boring. I still gave it 4 stars (I rarely give 5) because of the subject matter. I do recommend for a quick read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. As soon as I read the first two chapters I knew I would be sad by the time I'd finish reading it. What I mean is I developed a mini addiction to the story and the information (that was either somewhat familiar to me, like fractals, synesthesia and savant syndrome or completely new to me - rigid surfaces, no perfect circles exist in nature or capturing sound in drawings!!!! We already have Cymatics and the sounds of the universe are being explored today.) I absorbed it like a sponge. (I foresee more research-binging inspired by this story.)I generally read very fast, so I tried to "ration" my reading to prolong the experience over a few days. And I could not wait to get home after work to continue reading. It is truly stimulating in so many ways (emotionally, intellectually, even visually, though I am not a synnie.) I could personally relate to some experiences described by the "halfway" savant (periodic self-imposed isolation to binge on information and ponder upon what truly is beautiful, simple and captivating; above average empathy - a blessing and a curse...) I could visualize (as best as my mind's eye allowed) Jason Padgett's visions: the first sunrise after several years, his hand, leaves, the rain drops in the puddle. I even cried a bit... a few times. As I tried to envision what I was reading, many times I thought that this is definitely going to be "A Beautiful Mind 2" or something along those lines... I love quoting beautifully written passages and this book certainly is drenched in quotes worth remembering and referencing.I remain hopeful that soon enough the "savant-inducing headgear" hits the market, rendering all preceding technology virtually obsolete. I guess, I'll hold off on G.glass and iWatch.Although I do not know them perosnally, nevertheless, Congratulations to Jason, Elena and their family with the new baby due very-very soon :)).

I enjoyed this well-written tale of a unique individual's journey to new abilities, a new personality, and a new life. It left me with a lot to think about the strange and still uncharted workings and capabilities of the human mind.

Interesting book although Jason has recovered from a very serious Head injury and this book very inspiring about his new life, it should be noted that it was not the head injury that makes Jason a prodigy of his remarkable talent in mathematics. It is without doubt he had this undiscovered talent before the injury. But he never had the to opportunity to utilise it until he began his therapy during or after his recovery. Let be known if Jason discovered this talent before his injuries who knows what what he would have accomplished. Dispite the myth of Isaac Newton getting hit in the head with an apple Eurika he now understands gravity. Head injuries can cause serious impairments especially when they are as traumatic as this book is stating. If the author of this book is saying or is thinking ha go out and have a Head injury a wow you'll become a genius this is very misleading and very very dangerous. But if this book is saying take a look at this individual who has made a remarkable recovery through his astounding achievements great. But believed me those who knows about head injuries and about those who've recovered from them will know it is not a very good thing to have a Traumatic Brain Injury.

To even consider the possibility that all human beings could have access to skills and a way of seeing life that had lain dormant is amazing to think about. There may be some much more available to us than we know.

Interesting story about an interesting man . Hits on relationships between various subjects that are related to fractals , geometry , math , synesthesia , genius , brain injuries and brain abnormalities .How these things are interconnected .It's mostly about how Jason was transformed through circumstances beyond his control . Going from an extreme extrovert who sought adrenaline driven thrills to an ultra-introvert who just wanted to be isolated from the outside world . Eventually coming back from his isolation via his new found love for math , art, geometry and fractals .To be considered one of the best known cases of head injury induced savantism . This story has circled the world . Been mentioned in newspapers , television , on the internet and seminars . Probably in the top ten cases of brain injury or brain abnormality savantism .I imagine this book would be of special interest to those interested in savantism and or synesthesia ( people who have crossed senses , such as seeing colors when hearing music , or seeing letters and numbers as colored objects ) . Also those that like stories of the underdog who goes onto to great things .Silver linings ?

Struck by Genius is a useful addition to the growing collection of memoirs written by acquired savants-- and I think is primarily of interest to those who have a particular interest in this topic. Some reviewers complain about the inclusion of detailed mathematical discussion of Jason Padgett's drawings. However, other reviewers wish there were actually more math, and lament the many pages devoted to descriptions of Jason's personal challenges in dealing with his accident and its consequences. Others (and I count myself in this camp) are put off by the persistent self-congratulatory remarks throughout the book, and I find myself wondering how these survived the influence of a co-writer, agent, and editor. Nevertheless, what the majority of readers seem to agree upon, is that the brain is an exquisitely complex and mysterious organ, and that Jason Padgett's account of his experience leads us to contemplate the remarkable possibilities as we progress in unlocking the brain's secrets.

Fascinating book about the brain and life of a man after he was severely beaten and received a traumatic brain injury. What a story!

I might say that I am lucky that this year I had the opportunity to read two books that present two real cases of uncommon human beings. One of this books is the one that I will talk about today: “Struck by Genius” which is written as an autobiography of Jason Padgett with the help of the journalist Maureen Seaberg.The book presents the life of an ordinary man, who until his late 20s, early 30s was a partying Tomcat, working at his father’s furniture store and with no interest in science whatsoever. It all changed after one night when leaving from a bar he gets mugged and receives repeatedly blows to the head.Soon after this incident, he develops agoraphobia, PTSD, and OCD, but also realizes that he now sees the world differently. He discovers that he can now draw, from a geometrical point of view, what he is seeing and he starts researching what is happening to him. I don’t want to make a spoiler out of Jason Padgett’s life story, so I won’t say more about the plot.I recommend this novel to everybody who is interested in tales about the human mind or just wants to read a book about a happy case in which a brain trauma changed a person’s life in better.

Really interesting account which is personal yet informative. Makes you realise how one little event can transform your life irrevocably.

very good book

A fascinating account by a fascinating who was nearly killed when he was mugged,very touching in places.

I really enjoyed listening to this book on CD. FASCINATING story about a young man who develops a savant syndrome and conceptual synesthesia after suffering a traumatic head injury during a violent mugging. He develops other emotional conditions he must also learn to adjust to and manage, like Depression, OCD and PTSD. In the story, Jason also loses important people in his life yet acquires other loving and caring relationships in his life. The multiple layers of what make us unique is cleverly addressed at an emotional, cognitive and neurobiological level. A must read for anyone interested in neuropsychology, neuroscience and psychotherapy.