Why is America so rich and powerful? The answer lies in our genes, according to psychologist John Gartner.
While these men are extraordinary examples, Gartner argues that many Americans have inherited the genes that have made them the most successful citizens in the world..
Craig Venter decoded the human genome, yet his arrogance made him despised by most of his scientific colleagues, even as he spurred them on to make great discoveries.
The Mayer and Selznick families helped create the peculiarly American art form of the Hollywood film, but familial bipolar disorders led to the fall of their empires.
Andrew Carnegie, who began America\'s industrial revolution, was sure that he was destined personally to speed up human evolution and bring world peace.
Alexander Hamilton, the indispensable founder who envisioned America\'s economic future, self-destructed because of pride and impulsive behavior.
John Winthrop, who settled and defined it, believed Americans were God\'s new chosen people.
These are the real stories you never learned in school about some of those men who made America: Columbus, who discovered the continent, thought he was the messiah.
Bringing his audacious and persuasive thesis to life, Gartner offers case histories of some famous Americans who represent this phenomenon of hypomania.
Those who had the will, optimism, and daring to take the leap into the unknown have passed those traits on to their descendants.
This self-selection process is the boldest natural experiment ever conducted.
Why is America so hypomanic? It is populated primarily by immigrants.
Americans may have a lot of crazy ideas, but some of them lead to brilliant inventions.
But there is an enormous upside in terms of spectacular entrepreneurial zeal, drive for innovation, and material success.
Market bubbles and ill-considered messianic crusades can be the downside.
America has an extraordinarily high number of hypomanics -- grandiose types who leap on every wacky idea that occurs to them, utterly convinced it will change the world.
Hypomania, a genetically based mild form of mania, endows many of us with unusual energy, creativity, enthusiasm, and a propensity for taking risks.
Why is America so rich and powerful? The answer lies in our genes, according to psychologist John Gartner
