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Homer, Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, Shakespeare, and Tolstoy; Curie, Darwin, Einstein, Galileo, and Newton. What do these world-famous artists and scientists have in common? Most of us would probably say all ten possessed something we call genius, which in each instance permanently changed the way that humanity perceived the world. Genius: A Very Short Introduction uses the life and work of familiar geniuses, and some less familiar, to illuminate both the individual and the general aspects of genius. In particular: the roles of talent, heredity, parenting, education, training, hard work, intelligence, personality, mental illness, inspiration, eureka moments, and luck, in the making of genius.Less

What is pain? How is pain related to emotions, culture, and pleasure? What happens to us when we feel pain? Pain: A Very Short Introduction explores the history, culture, and medical science of pain. It charts the shifting meanings of pain across time and space, with the changing experience and treatment of pain. It describes historical hierarchies of pain experience related to social class and race, and the privileging of human pain over that of other animals. This VSI weaves a multifaceted account of pain, from pain concepts of classical antiquity to expressions of pain in contemporary art, and modern medical approaches to understanding, treating, and managing pain.Less

Social Psychology: A Very Short Introduction tells the story of social psychology, its history, concepts, and major theories. Discussing the classic studies that have defined the discipline, it introduces social psychology’s key thinkers, and shows how their personal histories spurred them to understand what connects people to people, and the societies in which we live. Taking us from the first ideas of the discipline to its most cutting-edge developments, it demonstrates how social psychology remains profoundly relevant to everyday life. From attitudes to attraction, prejudice to persuasion, health to happiness—social psychology provides insights that can change the world, and help us tackle the defining problems of the 21st century.Less