This book examines the lives and achievements of over 1,000 extraordinary men and women to address age-old questions about the relationship between mental illness and greatness.

Exploring the lives and achievements of over 1,000 extraordinary men and women, this book offers answers to the age-old questions about the relationship between mental illness and greatness, and also reveals factors that predict creative achievement. The book is filled with colorful stories about many of the most eminent artists, scientists, social activists, politicians, soldiers, and business people of our time. Moving beyond anecdotal accounts, The Price of Greatness is based on over 10 years of original scientific research on major 20th-century figures. Delving into many of humankind's greatest achievements and the special attributes and backgrounds of those who accomplished them, this illuminating work will interest anyone who wants to know why some people achieve fame - and what price they may pay in the process.

"This is an excellent research report that should, once and for all, resolve senseless controversies about the correlation of creativity with psychopathology." - - The Review of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy"Engagingly anecdotal and well structured....The large sample and elegant analysis make this book an essential reference on the difficult, interesting task it addresses." - - Library Journal