Lisa Hermsen reveals her personal struggle with mental illness and traces the multiple ways in which the word “mania” has been used by popular, medical and academic writers in her just-released book, Manic Minds: Mania’s Mad History and its Neuro-Future.
“I am bipolar and have a medical diagnosis. And I am a freak; I am mad. There are no two options; I am both and more. I can have it both ways. And…I can tell a good story.” Lisa Hermsen, associate professor, Rochester Institute of Technology
Mania. Throughout centuries, the word has been synonymous with madness, fury, rage and frenzy. Although its meanings have shifted over time, the word has remained connected, even in clinical descriptions, to the same madness and rage. As a result, it is profoundly affecting individuals living with medical and psychological conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
In her latest book, Manic Minds: Mania’s Mad History and its Neuro-Future, Lisa Hermsen, associate professor and chair of Rochester Institute of Technology’s English department in the College of Liberal Arts, traces the multiple ways in which the word “mania” has been used by popular, medical and academic writers. She also explains the way medical professionals analyzed the manic condition during the 19th and 20th centuries.
“Today, we don’t classify people using the terms lunacy, insanity or melancholy, but the word ‘mania’ still appears as a diagnosis,” says Hermsen. “The problem with the world ‘mania’ is that it carries madness with it. Madness lingers with mania and can’t be shaken. The purpose of this book is to talk about what kind of language we can use to change how we think about madness. The word mania and the baggage that comes along with it interfere with people’s ability to manage their disorders.”
Hermsen, who teaches courses at RIT in the rhetoric of science and the history of madness, knows firsthand about the struggle with the perception of mania. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her early 20s. Many of her colleagues and students had formerly been unaware of her diagnosis, but Hermsen believed that her admission was necessary to include in the book.
“My husband and I talked about whether I should ‘out myself’ in the book as someone who lives with bipolar disorder,” says Hermsen. “I feared that my colleagues and students would look at me differently if they knew—and maybe some will. But if my intention is to help others understand the history of their disease and learn that it can be managed, lived with and that these individuals can become successful, then I knew there was no way I could leave it out.”
Throughout the book, Hermsen offers in-depth analysis of contemporary figures that have written from within the illness itself, as well as her thoughts on her personal experiences with mania. Hermsen’s story was included in the book based in part on a note that was sent to her from an RIT alumnus who experienced a serious depression that temporarily interrupted his studies. The note says, “I’m glad to see someone like us chairing the English department.”
Hermsen writes: “By emerging from this diagnostic silence, I am able to tell a story beyond my own limited narrative. There were certainly times during the writing when I had to come to terms with the debilitating effects of a manic episode—the bodily reality of psychic tension, times when linguistic power eluded me. But in the end, I hope to have written with the confidence and credibility of one who possesses a dynamic relationship to mania.”
Hermsen’s book is available for $23.95 at http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu or www.amazon.com.
Book review blog site, with some entertainment material from time-to-time.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Galileo Selected Writings
The book, Galileo, Selected Writings is a masterful new translation by William R, Shea and Mark Davie.
The book is not just a collection of the writings of a great man. Shea and Davie are able to put Galileo and his writings into the context of the times in which Galileo lived.
It touches on the financial problems that beset Galileo when, on the death of his father, he became the breadwinner and the man of the house. He had dowries to fund for his sisters and his mother to provide for. Problems which meant that Galileo needed to earn a goodly income to provide for his family.
Galileo made a substantial income by selling a geometrical and military compass of his own design, which is referenced within this book, together with information on his work to construct the best telescope in existence at that time.
The book also points out that Galileo did not quite use the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the way that is generally depicted to prove his theory of gravity.
The book contains a wide and deeply fascinating collection from a range of Galileo's writings. From letters to important figures of his day, including nobles and royalty, his observations on the Copernican Theory, details of his trial and his statement of abjuration.
It contains his Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems (see above) A Sidereal Message and much more besides.
This book is not only a testament to the brilliance of Galileo it is an interesting thought-provoking work.
It contains copious and highly useful notes, explanatory notes and a detailed and most helpful index.
It is an ideal book for the student and for those curious to learn more about Galileo.
It is available in paperback at £10.99 published by the Oxford University Press.
The ISBN is 978-0-19-958369-0.
It is, of course, available from the That's Book bookshop, which is powered by Amazon.
The book is not just a collection of the writings of a great man. Shea and Davie are able to put Galileo and his writings into the context of the times in which Galileo lived.
It touches on the financial problems that beset Galileo when, on the death of his father, he became the breadwinner and the man of the house. He had dowries to fund for his sisters and his mother to provide for. Problems which meant that Galileo needed to earn a goodly income to provide for his family.
Galileo made a substantial income by selling a geometrical and military compass of his own design, which is referenced within this book, together with information on his work to construct the best telescope in existence at that time.
The book also points out that Galileo did not quite use the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the way that is generally depicted to prove his theory of gravity.
The book contains a wide and deeply fascinating collection from a range of Galileo's writings. From letters to important figures of his day, including nobles and royalty, his observations on the Copernican Theory, details of his trial and his statement of abjuration.
It contains his Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems (see above) A Sidereal Message and much more besides.
This book is not only a testament to the brilliance of Galileo it is an interesting thought-provoking work.
It contains copious and highly useful notes, explanatory notes and a detailed and most helpful index.
It is an ideal book for the student and for those curious to learn more about Galileo.
It is available in paperback at £10.99 published by the Oxford University Press.
The ISBN is 978-0-19-958369-0.
It is, of course, available from the That's Book bookshop, which is powered by Amazon.
Be That Writer: How to publish a book with Kindle
Be That Writer: How to publish a book with Kindle: Publishing a book with Kindle is relatively easy. First make sure your manuscript is finished and typo free. Then check it again. Also ens...
My first book published!
I have published my first book. It is available for purchase on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0070DA1PO
It is a somewhat eclectic collection of short stories covering a wide range of genres, including a Christmas time murder, horror, science fiction and "slice of life" stories.
Some of them are straight stories, others a little quirky.
It is a somewhat eclectic collection of short stories covering a wide range of genres, including a Christmas time murder, horror, science fiction and "slice of life" stories.
Some of them are straight stories, others a little quirky.
That's Food and Drink: Food expert and top chef publishes new lab-inspire...
That's Food and Drink: Food expert and top chef publishes new lab-inspire...: Gurpareet Bains, celebrated chef and author of the No. 1 best-selling Indian Superfood, presents Indian Superspices: lab-inspired recipes t...
Thursday, 19 January 2012
New book from personal development expert Phil Parker shows how to be successful by asking yourself 10 questions
What use is a self help book that doesn’t give you any answers?
In his new book, The 10 Questions to Ask for Success (Hay House, £10.99), Phil Parker explains that the most important discovery he has made in over two decades of working in the personal development field is this: providing solutions, advice, suggestions or answers doesn’t really help anyone.
If we are provided with the answer to a problem we don’t go through the important process of finding a solution for ourselves and so, when faced with another problem, we turn to ask for help again. Parker argues that learning how to create our own solutions allows us to “be more independent and skilled at finding and making the right decisions for ourselves”, helping us to be successful. Instead of answers we need questions!
Although not just any old questions; as Parker explains it is about: “asking the key questions, at the right time, in order to get to the solutions”. The ten questions in this book will enable you to do this and are powerful tools – drawing on the fields of personal and spiritual development, business, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and even hostage-negotiation – that will help you to make great decisions in all aspects of your life.
Thousands of Parker’s clients have already used the tools in this book to help themselves or others to stop being stressed, stuck, over-worried, disempowered, unmotivated, frustrated and self-sabotaging and achieve success with issues such as weight loss, anxiety and low self esteem. You will learn how to:
• motivate yourself and others
• calmly find solutions even in the most stressful of times
• design and achieve your dreams
• ensure that your relationships work well, flourish and are fulfilling
• manage your business more effectively
• assist others on their paths away from conflict and wasted time and energy, and towards transformation and fulfillment.
The 10 Questions to Ask for Success is a wonderfully practical and clear book that will help you come up with all the right questions to ask yourself in any given situation and realise that all the answers are within you.
SEE BELOW FOR FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU BE MORE SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW
Phil Parker is an internationally renowned lecturer, therapist and innovator in the field of personal development. His training as a hypnotherapist, executive coach, certified master practitioner of NLP and osteopath give him a unique ability to provide new solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century. Phil's hugely successful process for change, the Lightning Process, has already transformed and enhanced the lives, health and success of thousands of people around the world. He runs a private practice in London and is principal and director at the Phil Parker Training Institute.
‘Astonishing, swift and simple’ The Independent
The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker is published by Hay House on 6th February 2012, £10.99 pb, also available as an eBook.
Watch a video of Phil
Five Tips to Help You be More Successful Right Now! Extracted from The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker (Hay House, £10.99)
1) Success and happiness are interlinked, so set aside some time each day for five days to write a happiness checklist. What percentage of your time is spent doing things that you love to do? If it is less than 50 per cent, then you need to reassess things; if it's over 70 per cent you're doing really well!
2) What if? Use this question to reinvigorate your future. Many of us spend too much time limiting ourselves; telling ourselves things just aren't likely to work out. Even if we have ideas about how to make changes and be more successful, we will often strangle these ideas straight away. Let your dreams breathe and live a little using the ‘what if?' question to imagine a brilliant future. Ask yourself ‘if everything that I put my hand to today turned out just perfectly, what would I do today?’
3) Stop blaming. Frustration is as linked to blaming, as success is linked to being able to let go of the past. Remember: whatever happened, happened. The question is not who was right and who was wrong, but how do you want your future to be now? Ask yourself ‘who or what do I need to stop blaming to have a great future?’
4) What do I want? A key secret of success is to get really clear about what you want – but be careful you don't get sidetracked by focusing on what you don't want. The more you think about something, the more your brain focuses on making it happen. So instead of thinking about what you don’t want, use your brain as an ally and think about what you DO want.
5) Sabotage. Unfortunately, it is often ourselves that stand in the way of our own success: whether it’s self-doubt, procrastination, a lack of motivation or just not following through. If you find yourself doing any of these, there are three things you can do. Firstly, stop beating yourself up and be kind to yourself instead. Often just doing this changes what happens next, as when we treat ourselves with compassion we allow ourselves to stay calm and find solutions. Secondly, ask yourself ‘what exactly am I committed to, what’s really important here?’ Finally, ask yourself ‘how am I going to make this easy?’ Successful people see their challenges as opportunities to creatively move things forward, and that makes everything seem easier.
In his new book, The 10 Questions to Ask for Success (Hay House, £10.99), Phil Parker explains that the most important discovery he has made in over two decades of working in the personal development field is this: providing solutions, advice, suggestions or answers doesn’t really help anyone.
If we are provided with the answer to a problem we don’t go through the important process of finding a solution for ourselves and so, when faced with another problem, we turn to ask for help again. Parker argues that learning how to create our own solutions allows us to “be more independent and skilled at finding and making the right decisions for ourselves”, helping us to be successful. Instead of answers we need questions!
Although not just any old questions; as Parker explains it is about: “asking the key questions, at the right time, in order to get to the solutions”. The ten questions in this book will enable you to do this and are powerful tools – drawing on the fields of personal and spiritual development, business, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and even hostage-negotiation – that will help you to make great decisions in all aspects of your life.
Thousands of Parker’s clients have already used the tools in this book to help themselves or others to stop being stressed, stuck, over-worried, disempowered, unmotivated, frustrated and self-sabotaging and achieve success with issues such as weight loss, anxiety and low self esteem. You will learn how to:
• motivate yourself and others
• calmly find solutions even in the most stressful of times
• design and achieve your dreams
• ensure that your relationships work well, flourish and are fulfilling
• manage your business more effectively
• assist others on their paths away from conflict and wasted time and energy, and towards transformation and fulfillment.
The 10 Questions to Ask for Success is a wonderfully practical and clear book that will help you come up with all the right questions to ask yourself in any given situation and realise that all the answers are within you.
SEE BELOW FOR FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU BE MORE SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW
Phil Parker is an internationally renowned lecturer, therapist and innovator in the field of personal development. His training as a hypnotherapist, executive coach, certified master practitioner of NLP and osteopath give him a unique ability to provide new solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century. Phil's hugely successful process for change, the Lightning Process, has already transformed and enhanced the lives, health and success of thousands of people around the world. He runs a private practice in London and is principal and director at the Phil Parker Training Institute.
‘Astonishing, swift and simple’ The Independent
The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker is published by Hay House on 6th February 2012, £10.99 pb, also available as an eBook.
Watch a video of Phil
Five Tips to Help You be More Successful Right Now! Extracted from The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker (Hay House, £10.99)
1) Success and happiness are interlinked, so set aside some time each day for five days to write a happiness checklist. What percentage of your time is spent doing things that you love to do? If it is less than 50 per cent, then you need to reassess things; if it's over 70 per cent you're doing really well!
2) What if? Use this question to reinvigorate your future. Many of us spend too much time limiting ourselves; telling ourselves things just aren't likely to work out. Even if we have ideas about how to make changes and be more successful, we will often strangle these ideas straight away. Let your dreams breathe and live a little using the ‘what if?' question to imagine a brilliant future. Ask yourself ‘if everything that I put my hand to today turned out just perfectly, what would I do today?’
3) Stop blaming. Frustration is as linked to blaming, as success is linked to being able to let go of the past. Remember: whatever happened, happened. The question is not who was right and who was wrong, but how do you want your future to be now? Ask yourself ‘who or what do I need to stop blaming to have a great future?’
4) What do I want? A key secret of success is to get really clear about what you want – but be careful you don't get sidetracked by focusing on what you don't want. The more you think about something, the more your brain focuses on making it happen. So instead of thinking about what you don’t want, use your brain as an ally and think about what you DO want.
5) Sabotage. Unfortunately, it is often ourselves that stand in the way of our own success: whether it’s self-doubt, procrastination, a lack of motivation or just not following through. If you find yourself doing any of these, there are three things you can do. Firstly, stop beating yourself up and be kind to yourself instead. Often just doing this changes what happens next, as when we treat ourselves with compassion we allow ourselves to stay calm and find solutions. Secondly, ask yourself ‘what exactly am I committed to, what’s really important here?’ Finally, ask yourself ‘how am I going to make this easy?’ Successful people see their challenges as opportunities to creatively move things forward, and that makes everything seem easier.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Seeds of Fiction
Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America, 1954 - 1963 by Bernard Diederich.
In June 2012, Peter Owen Publishers will be publishing a major new biography of Graham Greene - Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America, 1954 - 1963. In 1965, Graham Greene joined journalist Bernard Diederich in the Dominican Republic to embark on a tour of its border with Haiti, then ruled by 'Papa Doc' Duvalier. They were accompanied by an activist priest, Jean-Claude Bajeux.
The famous novelist was 61 and depressed having struggled to finish A Burnt-Out Case and was being plagued by religious doubt; Bajeux, meanwhile, had been informed that his family had been 'disappeared' by Duvalier's henchmen. As this trio travelled along the border they met a number of rebels and other characters later fictionalized in Greene's most politically charged novel, The Comedians, published the following year.
This major new biography finally and fully illuminates a pivotal episode in Greene's life and career in the kind of detail that will sate any fans of Graham Greene's work, but also provides a fascinating glimpse into a writer's life, making it an essential purchase for fans of literary biography. Including extensive new archive material on Greene and exclusive, never-before-seen photographs of Greene on his travels - some of the most remarkable portraits of Greene seen for years - Seeds of Fiction tells the story of how a series of extraordinary and often hair-raising journeys gave one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century new inspiration in his writings.
www.peterowen.com
In June 2012, Peter Owen Publishers will be publishing a major new biography of Graham Greene - Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America, 1954 - 1963. In 1965, Graham Greene joined journalist Bernard Diederich in the Dominican Republic to embark on a tour of its border with Haiti, then ruled by 'Papa Doc' Duvalier. They were accompanied by an activist priest, Jean-Claude Bajeux.
The famous novelist was 61 and depressed having struggled to finish A Burnt-Out Case and was being plagued by religious doubt; Bajeux, meanwhile, had been informed that his family had been 'disappeared' by Duvalier's henchmen. As this trio travelled along the border they met a number of rebels and other characters later fictionalized in Greene's most politically charged novel, The Comedians, published the following year.
This major new biography finally and fully illuminates a pivotal episode in Greene's life and career in the kind of detail that will sate any fans of Graham Greene's work, but also provides a fascinating glimpse into a writer's life, making it an essential purchase for fans of literary biography. Including extensive new archive material on Greene and exclusive, never-before-seen photographs of Greene on his travels - some of the most remarkable portraits of Greene seen for years - Seeds of Fiction tells the story of how a series of extraordinary and often hair-raising journeys gave one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century new inspiration in his writings.
www.peterowen.com
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