Struck by Genius

How a Brain Injury Made Me a Mathematical Marvel

By: Jason Padgett, Maureen Ann Seaberg

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings, Kate Rudd

The remarkable story of an ordinary man who was transformed when a traumatic injury left him with an extraordinary gift

No one sees the world as Jason Padgett does. Water pours from the faucet in crystalline patterns, numbers call to mind distinct geometric shapes, and intricate fractal patterns emerge from the movement of tree branches, revealing the intrinsic mathematical designs hidden in the objects around us.

Yet Padgett wasn’t born this way. Twelve years ago, he had never made it past pre-algebra. But a violent mugging forever altered the way his brain works, giving him unique gifts. His ability to understand math and physics skyrocketed, and he developed the astonishing ability to draw the complex geometric shapes he saw everywhere. His stunning, mathematically precise artwork illustrates his intuitive understanding of complex mathematics.

The first documented case of acquired savant syndrome with mathematical synesthesia, Padgett is a medical marvel. Struck by Genius recounts how he overcame huge setbacks and embraced his new mind. Along the way he fell in love, found joy in numbers, and spent plenty of time having his head examined. Like Born on a Blue Day and My Stroke of Insight, his singular story reveals the wondrous potential of the human brain.

©2014 Jason Padgett and Maureen Ann Seaberg (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Thought provoking in unexpected ways.

I've always believed each of us has great unlocked potential. Moments in our lives when we sense untapped abilities, but can't quite tap into it. This book certainly gives creedence to that possibility.

It has raised my conscience about synaesthesia.

Would you listen to Struck by Genius again? Why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The determination Jason ultimately found. I wasn't aware of synaesthesia, but now I do. I'm glad I listened to this book.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Cummings and Kate Rudd – was your favorite?

Jason

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Jason took the time to understand the guys with Cerebral Palsy.

Any additional comments?

Jason makes me wish I was good in science.

3.75 stars

The first half of this book was interesting and really held my attention. the second half became repetitive and I struggled to finish it. I felt more time should have been spent on detailing his brain scans and less on him hanging out with other synesthetes. Overall this is a very interesting story, but I felt it could have been written/narrated better.

Amazing, Wonderful, Exhilarating! I am AWE struck!

Enjoyed listening to Jason’s story via Maureen’s wonderful writing while riding a bus for a seven hour trip from Kansas to Oklahoma to visit my grandaughter. I ride Enjoyed listening to Jason’s story via Maureen’s wonderful writing while riding a bus for a seven hour trip from Kansas to Oklahoma to visit my grandaughter. I wonder if my three year old grandaughter’s mind might develop Jason’s fractal vision if she is presented to his drawings as her mind grows? Jason and Maureen - publish a childrens’ art book! the bus and listen since I do not see well due to AMDI wonder if my three year old grandaughter’s mind might develop Jason’s fractal vision capabilities if she is presented to his drawings as her mind grows? Jason and Maureen - publish a childrens’ art book!

The information

Nothing bothered me it was all very good. Interesting things to consider regarding what’s possible