Best Selling Books by Andrew Solomon

Montaigne l’avait écrit : « Il faut voyager pour frotter et limer sa cervelle contre celle d’autrui. » À l’heure où le repli sur soi menace, le génie des Frémissements du monde est de convertir cet idéal humaniste en réalité, de magnifier le caractère vital de la rencontre avec l’autre. Voici l’odyssée sur trente ans et dans une vingtaine de pays d’Andrew Solomon. Il est aux côtés d’artistes avant-gardistes dans les manifestations entraînant la chute de l’URSS ; il assiste à la renaissance artistique afghane après la chute du régime taliban ; il éprouve l’importance de la samba dans les favelas de Rio de Janeiro en pleine mutation avant les Jeux olympiques... Il dépeint avec finesse toutes ces sociétés à des moments politiques ou sociaux charnières : les progrès comme les menaces, les joies comme les regrets, les peurs comme les espoirs. Captivante anthologie de reportages, ce livre montre comment l’histoire est façonnée par les individus, qui sont en retour transformés par les changements. De l’incroyable diversité des expériences relatées émerge un fil conducteur : une humanité commune que Solomon découvre partout où il voyage, une mosaïque plus actuelle que jamais de ce qui unit vraiment les femmes et les hommes. La plume d’un écrivain de talent, voyageur curieux et journaliste à l’écoute du réel, nous entraîne ainsi dans un récit dont on ne peut que sortir grandi d’un supplément d’âme. Journaliste et psychologue, Andrew Solomon est l’auteur notamment du Diable intérieur. Anatomie de la dépression (finaliste du Pulitzer et lauréat de quatorze prix aux États-Unis, tr. française Albin Michel, 2002) et a été récompensé par le National Book Critics Circle Award pour Les Enfants exceptionnels (tr. française Fayard, 2019). Son œuvre est traduite en vingt-deux langues. Traduit de l’anglais (États-Unis) par Christine Vivier « Ce livre magistral regroupe un quart de siècle d’essais faisant vibrer l’âme. » Vanity Fair

Tout parent se pose un jour cette question cruciale : comment accepter la différence de son enfant, et comment l’aider à vivre avec ? Pour y apporter des réponses, Andrew Solomon a mené plus de trois cents séries d’entretiens sur dix années. Il s’est immergé dans des foyers qui, au quotidien, sont aux prises avec la surdité, le nanisme, la trisomie 21, l’autisme, la schizophrénie ou de multiples handicaps ; il nous parle d’enfants prodiges ou transgenres ; il nous parle de ceux qui sont nés d’un viol ; de ceux qui ont commis un crime. Ce livre sans équivalent évoque avec subtilité et empathie les défis qui nous poussent à reconsidérer la manière dont nous percevons la différence. Si chacune est exceptionnelle, l’expérience que nous en faisons au sein de la famille est universelle. C’est le combat des gens qui s’aiment pour s’accepter les uns les autres, et ultimement le triomphe de l’amour sur les préjugés et les difficultés qui sont documentés dans ce livre fondateur qui s’est vu décerner vingt prix littéraires. Andrew Solomon, journaliste, est l’auteur du best-seller du New York Times Le Diable intérieur. Anatomie de la dépression (finaliste du Pulitzer et lauréat de quatorze prix aux États-Unis, dont le National Book Award en 2001 ; tr. française Albin Michel, 2002) et Far and Away. Reporting From the Brink of Change: Seven Continents, Twenty-Five Years (2016), ainsi que d’un roman, Le Vaisseau de pierre (tr. française Albin Michel, 2002). Son œuvre est traduite en vingt-deux langues. Il enseigne la psychologie au centre médical de Columbia.

Traditional Chinese edition of Far and Away: How Travel Can Change the World

Secondo un noto adagio, la mela non cade mai lontano dall''albero, ossia un figlio assomiglia sempre ai suoi genitori. Ma i bambini descritti in questo libro sono mele cadute altrove, in un altro frutteto, a volte in un altro mondo. Sono sordi o nani, affetti da sindrome di Down, autismo, schizofrenia o molteplici gravi disabilità; sono bambini prodigio, bambini concepiti in uno stupro o che commettono reati, sono transgender. Eppure, le loro famiglie, spesso accomunate da un profondo senso di isolamento, imparano a tollerare, accogliere e infine a essere orgogliose di figli tanto diversi. Giorno dopo giorno, questi genitori cercano di rispondere a una domanda cruciale: fino a che punto è possibile accettare i figli per quello che sono, aiutandoli, magari anche contro le proprie aspettative e i propri desideri, a trovare la loro autentica identità? Attingendo a quarantamila pagine di trascrizioni di interviste condotte con oltre trecento famiglie, Andrew Solomon esplora l''universo della diversità e della sofferenza, in un racconto corale in cui si intrecciano le molteplici esperienze di persone normali poste di fronte a sfide eccezionali. Che si tratti di impianti cocleari per sordi, di allungamento degli arti per bambini affetti da nanismo, di interventi chirurgici di riassegnazione del sesso, l''approdo finale di questo viaggio nella differenza è la conquista della compassione. Per molte famiglie, infatti, prendersi cura di un figlio difficile è un''esperienza che unisce e trasforma; la maggior parte di esse trova appoggio in comunità di persone che condividono le medesime difficoltà; alcune scoprono una ragione per scegliere l''attivismo e rivendicare così una condizione originariamente temuta. Tutte, infine, si ritrovano arricchite in modi che non avrebbero mai immaginato. Perché la diversità rinsalda i legami, e l''intimità con il dolore favorisce l''accoglienza, insegna il linguaggio dell''identità e porta ad amare al di là della differenza. Dirompente e personalissimo, Lontano dall''albero indaga a fondo i temi della generosità, dell''accettazione e della tolleranza, gettando uno sguardo nuovo sul mondo della diversità.

I fantasmi della mente - angosce, ansie, paure - ci assalgono di solito nel buio della notte e sono messi in fuga dalla luce del sole. Non così il demone di mezzogiorno, la depressione: si può conoscerlo, identificarne cause e sintomi, ma faticare a sconfiggerlo e a trovare sollievo alla sofferenza che ci infligge. Lo scrittore Andrew Solomon, dopo averci raccontato come è emerso dall''abisso della depressione, riporta le testimonianze di altre persone passate attraverso la sua stessa esperienza, analizza il loro dolore e cerca di dare risposta ai loro interrogativi più intimi. Mette in luce le implicazioni storiche, sociali, biologiche, chimiche e mediche di una malattia che può colpirci così nel profondo da renderci del tutto inadatti alla vita. Ma per Solomon esaminare la depressione e gli stati d''animo che l''accompagnano equivale soprattutto a scoprire che cosa significhi avere un sé, che cosa significhi essere uomini. Toccante, intelligente, costruttivo, sempre arguto, Il demone di mezzogiorno è il testo essenziale sulla depressione, sullo stress e sul modo di vivere del nuovo millennio.

Ver van de boom is het verhaal over de zoektocht van ouders en uitzonderlijke kinderen naar hun identiteit. Het is het aangrijpende relaas over gezinnen met kinderen die doof of dwerg zijn, of het Downsyndroom hebben. Gezinnen die geconfronteerd worden met autisme, schizofrenie of meervoudige ernstige handicaps. Gezinnen met wonderkinderen, met kinderen die verwekt zijn door verkrachting, die misdaden begaan of transgender zijn. Andrew Solomon laat zien voor welke immense problemen ouders komen te staan als hun kinderen vreemden voor ze blijken te zijn. Het zijn verhalen vol liefde, onmacht, menselijke tekortkomingen, onbegrip, opoffering en diepe menselijkheid. Met grote compassie toont Solomon ons de mens in zijn uniciteit en diversiteit. ''Een verpletterend werkstuk.'', Mischa de Vreede, De Groene Amsterdammer ''Hartverscheurende verhalen.'', Mars van Grunsven, NRC Handelsblad ''Een boek dat je steeds opnieuw tot in het diepst van je hart raakt.'', The New York Times ''Andrew Solomon herinnert ons eraan dat niets zo belangrijk is voor de ontwikkeling van een kind als ouderliefde.'', President Bill Clinton ''Een van de meest bijzondere boeken die ik de afgelopen tijd heb gelezen [...] Zijn meesterlijk subtiele en lucide verhalen tonen ons hoe verschillend we allemaal zijn en hoe pijnlijk hetzelfde.'', Siddhartha Mukherjee

Jerusalem, the last and most fully developed version of Blake''s personal myth, is recognised as an important part of our cultural heritage, apparently full of deep meaning. But exactly what that meaning is has been little understood. At first sight Blake''s poem lacks narrative continuity, presents no clear argument and shows little structural cohesion, while his illustrations, beautiful though they are, are often difficult to relate to the text. Yet underlying its baffling surface there is a coherent and relatively simple pattern, and this reveals in a unique way the psychological and spiritual processes that shape our lives and give them direction. Blake wrote of Man''s "Fall into Division and his Resurrection to Unity". The pattern symbolised by the Fall occurs inevitably in every human life and it accounts for all that is evil and destructive in human behaviour and all the inner conflicts by which we are torn. While we cannot avoid it, it is open to us as individuals eventually to rise above it, to become free of those conflicts and of the compulsive behaviour associated with them. This is not just another academic interpretation. Blake''s myth is considered here in a way that explains our conflicts and their origins in the delusions that we cling to. It leads to the point of letting go of the central delusion, that concerning one''s own identity, or ''ego'', which is a supremely challenging act of self-liberation -- Blake calls it the ''annihilation of the selfhood'' -- leading to the ''Resurrection to Unity''. Blake''s art and poetry help to evoke disruptive forces active within us which we prefer to keep hidden, but which we need to face intelligently if we are to become free of them. Not surprisingly, many people find this disturbing; but it can be immeasurably rewarding. Nowadays there is considerable interest in Eastern teachings which have a similar purpose; but our typical Western starting point, conditioned by centuries of Judaeo-Christian teaching of an external law-giving God, is different from that of, say, Buddhists or Hindus, for whom the supreme authority is to be found within. Blake''s myth reflects Western conditioning and the particular patterns that result from it, which we may be able to recognise in ourselves; but its end-point, freedom from all conditioning, is universal. Illustrations include a complete reproduction of one of Blake''s black and white copies of Jerusalem.

Blake''s interpretation in words and pictures of the story of Job contains his most mature, concise and direct statement of the theme which is central to all his work, the spiritual and psychological development of a human life. He wrote of man''s ''Fall into Division and his Resurrection to Unity''; and all his works have the purpose of illuminating the path which can lead from the state of ''Error'' and inner conflict, into which all unavoidably fall, towards one of true vision, wholeness and inward peace. His perception of the nature of ''Error'', or delusion, and of what must be faced if it is to be overcome, is conveyed, not only in rational terms, but also through images which touch the less rational levels of the mind, objectifying the conflicting forces which are at work. This makes it possible to think constructively about them and to uncover the delusions instead of simply being possessed by them. The emphasis is on his spiritual and psychological message and its direct relevance to the individual life rather than on ''Blake scholarship''; and that message points the way to a very positive philosophy of life, based on knowing and understanding, not on belief; it also gives a remarkably clear and unified view of the psychological patterns of life, arguably adding a new dimension to our understanding.

"In celebration of the 50th anniversary of World Monuments Fund."

" J''aime ma dépression. J''aime l''homme qu''elle a fait de moi. C''est elle qui m''a permis de connaître l''étendue de mon âme... Avec ce livre dont le sujet nous concerne tous, Andrew Solomon ajoute au témoignage de son expérience personnelle la richesse de son érudition. Synthèse historique, sociologique, psychiatrique, médicale, cette somme extrêmement bien documentée s''attaque avec une profonde sincérité aux démons destructeurs de ce mal qu''Emily Dickinson appelait " l''enterrement de l''esprit ". Ce livre sur la souffrance intérieure, qui fait déjà autorité sur la question, est surtout un témoignage d''espoir, émouvant et sensible, invitant à découvrir, au fond du trou noir où chacun peut un jour se trouver, des forces positives et salvatrices insoupçonnées. " Un essai captivant, d''une stupéfiante richesse. Un ouvrage indispensable sur la dépression. " William Styron " Andrew Solomon consacra à la dépression un essai provocant et souvent touchant. Une indéniable réussite. " Joyce Carol Oates

Som forelder ønsker du gjerne to ulike ting for barna dine. På den ene siden vil du at barnet skal videreføre en del av din egen identitet, inkludert dine verdier og erfaringer. På den andre siden ønsker du at barnet skal utvikle seg til å bli en fri og uavhengig person med en helt egen identitet. Forfatter Andrew Solomon ønsket å undersøke denne motsetningsfylte oppfattelsen av arv, og dybdeintervjuet derfor mer enn 300 familier i løpet av en tiårsperiode. Disse familiene hadde alle spesielle utfordringer: noen hadde et barn med Downs syndrom eller autisme, andre hadde barn unnfanget i voldtekt eller som selv hadde blitt kriminelle. Boken handler om foreldreskap og familieliv, annerledeshet og forsoning.

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Over the course of minutes, they would kill twelve students and a teacher and wound twenty-four others before taking their own lives. For the last sixteen years, Sue Klebold, Dylan''s mother, has lived with the indescribable grief and shame of that day. How could her child, the promising young man she had loved and raised, be responsible for such horror? And how, as his mother, had she not known something was wrong? Were there subtle signs she had missed? What, if anything, could she have done differently?

Outcomes a, c, and d were found to be viable results of sea level rise, ruling out complete loss of intertidal reefs. Outcome (a) would be associated with decrease in oyster density and increase in oyster length. Outcome (c) would require the laying of oyster cultch upslope and shoreward of current intertidal reefs, as well as the removal of any hard armoring or development. Outcome (d) remained possible, but is the least likely requiring a balance between sedimentation, oyster angle of growth, and recruitment. This should be further investigated. A laboratory experiment was designed to test relative impact of varying sediment grain sizes on settlement of C. virginica larvae. Previous studies showed that suspended solids resulted in decreased larval settlement when using mixed sediment grain sizes. Predicted storm levels and hurricane levels of total suspended solids were used in flow tanks. Sediment from the field experiment was sieved into seven size classes, the most common five of which were used in the experiment since they represented 98.8% of total mass.

The old adage says that the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree, meaning that children usually resemble their parents. But what happens when the apples fall somewhere else -- sometimes a couple of orchards away, sometimes on the other side of the world? In this young adult edition, Andrew Solomon profiles how families accommodate children who have a variety of differences: families of people who are deaf, who are dwarfs, who have Down syndrome, who have autism, who have schizophrenia, who have multiple severe disabilities, who are prodigies, who commit crimes, and more.