Rating: 
Summary: A good book for those who are gifted or their parents
Review: Being gifted doesn't mean you know everything and have figured everything out. It just means you're brighter than the average bear and can leap to conclusions and see connections faster than others. You also remember better and thus cannot stand things being repeated over and over. Unfortunately, because society is designed for those who are less bright, this causes problems for the gifted. This book explores what those problems are. Both while growing up and as adults. A very enlightening book and one I recommend to those who are gifted or who are parents of gifted children/adults.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for those who are gifted or their parents
Review: Being gifted doesn't mean you know everything and have figured everything out. It just means you're brighter than the average bear and can leap to conclusions and see connections faster than others. You also remember better and thus cannot stand things being repeated over and over. Unfortunately, because society is designed for those who are less bright, this causes problems for the gifted. This book explores what those problems are. Both while growing up and as adults. A very enlightening book and one I recommend to those who are gifted or who are parents of gifted children/adults.
Rating:
Summary: Wow. What more can I say?
Review: From the moment I began reading this book, until I finished it 12 hours later, my jaw hung in amazement. I've never had anyone quantify my life experiences so clearly, and this from a total stranger. I have always been labeled gifted, but all that ever got me was ostracization, and being held to a higher standard. My job history was flaky (I get bored easily), I experimented with drugs, my relationship problems, everything was here, and with an explanation. This book covers all aspects of "giftedness", from the stereotypical "nerds", to the antisocial rebels like myself. This book has truly opened my eyes to areas of my life I was unable or unwilling to look at and deal with. It clearly details how gifted people too often end up on the fringe, just for lack of fitting in. It also deals with how to interact with the gifted people in your life, for stonger relationships, and a valuable resource. Thank you for writing this, Ms. Streznewski. This is the most valuable book I have read all year.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't quite deliver
Review: Great idea to have a book on this topic. Unfortunately, I found the book to be unscientific in the theories it presents on the gifted, as well as self-congratulatory in tone. A few helpful suggestions are present, however, they are hidden in mostly junk. I think it just makes people feel good about being uppity and acting like they are better than everyone else. Nothing really that revolutionary or new here. Too bad. Especially when you consider that her intended audience (the gifted) will probably want a lot more from a book than she delivers.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit redundant for the gifted....but good.
Review: I really liked this book, being a gifted adult I saw myself in many of the interviews the author conducted. It was nice to know that other people had the same problems that I experienced in school -for many years I thought I was alone and that it was my fault for some of the social difficulties I had through high school. The book is a must read for other gifted adults that had any trouble adjusting to the 'norm' that is expected of our young in schools. It was also helpful insight into how others that are not gifted see the gifted and I believe this can make a gifted person's life a little easire when relating to those that aren't as blessed. I had quite a few "ah ha" moments when I really related to the people interviewed. I think the book was also helpful in helping a young person to overcome the need to hide their gift.
Overall the book was good, but there are a few flaws that I feel it is necesscary to point out. The book goes into great detail concerning how gifted people become bored with too much of the same information and that gifted folks need stimulation, but the book redundantly discusses some of the same topics many times making it a bit boring at points.
I'm not sure how helpful this book will be to people who are not gifted, it may be a bit boring. It should however be mandatory reading for most teachers in pubilc school who are not adquately educated in how to deal with the gifted mind. Take it from someone who was labeled a "trouble maker" and a "busy body" and got scorned for asking too many questions- many teachers do not understand the special needs of the high functioning mind.
Overall it was an informative read and worth the time.
_medic
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, if Somewhat "Light" Coverage of Giftedness
Review: I've noticed the reviews here-- editorial and otherwise-- have expressed rather mixed opinions about this book. And, in a sense, the book's subtitle ("The mixed blessings of extraordinary potential") serves to underscore the somewhat mixed blessings of the book, itself. Did I find this to be an interesting book? Certainly. Did I seriously "get something out of it?" I'm shrugging a bit, at this second question. The author has certainly succeeded in writing a book many gifted people will relate to, simply because they will recognize themselvbes in the pages. But does the mere ability to make people relate to the text make this a *useful* book? Again, I am shrugging a bit, and I find myself saying "Yes, this was interesting, but I am not really that much wiser, so what exactly *was* the point....?" Ultimately, the "usefulness" of the book will depend on what the reader is looking for-- MY perception is that this book is more "descriptive" than "educational." But back to the book's contents. It is divided into three sections: Part One establishes what exactly the author *means* by the term "gifted grownup." On the initial plus side, Streznewski avoids the trap of correlating "giftedness" with numerical IQ scores. Instead she attributes giftedness to (a somewhat arbitrary?) 3-5% of the population who have exceptionally perceptive minds, quick thoughts and extraordinary talents. These people are then subcategorized into Strivers, Superstars and Independents. The rest of the section offers a bit of historical background on "defining giftedness," theories on the brains of gifted individuals, as well as an interesting (and fairly accurate) commentary on the way many gifted adults tend to "hide" their giftedness, due to social/environmental pressures. Part Two traces the impact of giftedness of the life of a person, from birth to adulthood, covering childhood and parenting (along with other family dynamics), schooling and work. I found myself able to relate especially well to the section describing the difficulties many gifted children have while in school. Part Three focuses on "Gifted Lives," covering such topics as gifted adults and relationships, special issues facing gifted women, and gifted senior citizens. At the end, Streznewski has added a section of resources and recommended reading. "Gifted Grownups" did an excellent job of providing a large number of "Oh wow! Me too!" moments-- and thus offers nice validation, especially for those Gifted Adults who may feel like "misfits" in the world. Streznewski uses quotes from the many (over 100) gifted adults she interviewed in her research for the book, and many will be able to recognize themselves in these excerpts. Yes, there are indeed others "like you," out there! But as I finished reading, it all struck me as being somewhat long on opinion and too focused on the fact "that" gifted adults face certain challenges, while too short on scientific research, explanations and "why" those difficulties occur. And it is also long on somewhat self-congratulatory "feel good" vignettes, but short on real-life solutions, help and applications for those Gifted Adults who find life to be a struggle. Finally, I found Streznewski to step somewhat lightly over the psychological issues facing the gifted. In short: "Mixed blessings." But given how few books are available on Adult Giftedness, it was definitely worth a read. However, not enough "meat" here to warrant a 5-star rating. Final thoughts: Recommended (7.5 out of 10 possible bookmarks). If you're a Gifted Adult, it'll offer you moments of recognition. More highly recommended for teachers of the gifted, in that it provides insights they might not otherwise have, and certainly recommended for any member of a family that feels "mystified" by a gifted family member. Thanks for reading!
--Peter
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, if Somewhat "Light" Coverage of Giftedness
Review: I've noticed the reviews here-- editorial and otherwise-- have expressed rather mixed opinions about this book. And, in a sense, the book's subtitle ("The mixed blessings of extraordinary potential") serves to underscore the somewhat mixed blessings of the book, itself. Did I find this to be an interesting book? Certainly. Did I seriously "get something out of it?" I'm shrugging a bit, at this second question. The author has certainly succeeded in writing a book many gifted people will relate to, simply because they will recognize themselvbes in the pages. But does the mere ability to make people relate to the text make this a *useful* book? Again, I am shrugging a bit, and I find myself saying "Yes, this was interesting, but I am not really that much wiser, so what exactly *was* the point....?" Ultimately, the "usefulness" of the book will depend on what the reader is looking for-- MY perception is that this book is more "descriptive" than "educational." But back to the book's contents. It is divided into three sections: Part One establishes what exactly the author *means* by the term "gifted grownup." On the initial plus side, Streznewski avoids the trap of correlating "giftedness" with numerical IQ scores. Instead she attributes giftedness to (a somewhat arbitrary?) 3-5% of the population who have exceptionally perceptive minds, quick thoughts and extraordinary talents. These people are then subcategorized into Strivers, Superstars and Independents. The rest of the section offers a bit of historical background on "defining giftedness," theories on the brains of gifted individuals, as well as an interesting (and fairly accurate) commentary on the way many gifted adults tend to "hide" their giftedness, due to social/environmental pressures. Part Two traces the impact of giftedness of the life of a person, from birth to adulthood, covering childhood and parenting (along with other family dynamics), schooling and work. I found myself able to relate especially well to the section describing the difficulties many gifted children have while in school. Part Three focuses on "Gifted Lives," covering such topics as gifted adults and relationships, special issues facing gifted women, and gifted senior citizens. At the end, Streznewski has added a section of resources and recommended reading. "Gifted Grownups" did an excellent job of providing a large number of "Oh wow! Me too!" moments-- and thus offers nice validation, especially for those Gifted Adults who may feel like "misfits" in the world. Streznewski uses quotes from the many (over 100) gifted adults she interviewed in her research for the book, and many will be able to recognize themselves in these excerpts. Yes, there are indeed others "like you," out there! But as I finished reading, it all struck me as being somewhat long on opinion and too focused on the fact "that" gifted adults face certain challenges, while too short on scientific research, explanations and "why" those difficulties occur. And it is also long on somewhat self-congratulatory "feel good" vignettes, but short on real-life solutions, help and applications for those Gifted Adults who find life to be a struggle. Finally, I found Streznewski to step somewhat lightly over the psychological issues facing the gifted. In short: "Mixed blessings." But given how few books are available on Adult Giftedness, it was definitely worth a read. However, not enough "meat" here to warrant a 5-star rating. Final thoughts: Recommended (7.5 out of 10 possible bookmarks). If you're a Gifted Adult, it'll offer you moments of recognition. More highly recommended for teachers of the gifted, in that it provides insights they might not otherwise have, and certainly recommended for any member of a family that feels "mystified" by a gifted family member. Thanks for reading!
--Peter
Rating:
Summary: Explains so much about my family!
Review: Perfect book of short stories and perspectives about gifted people. The last two chapters were a little slow since I am male and 28, but after reading the book I walked away armed with the knowledge that I have persevered for a reason. When I dropped out of high school, I didn't know what was going to happen. When I got my diploma, I didn't know what was going to happen. Now it's nearly 10 years later and I run a succesful training and consulting business in the technology industry. I also speak publically and publish periodic articles. Those articles are revered in my industry. College Degree - NO, PhD - NO, High School Diploma - Yes, but barely. It's been a long strange trip. I am glad someone threw this book at me and not the proverbial book, as so many gifted can receive the other version.
Rating:
Summary: What do you mean by "wasted"?
Review: The message I receive from the author is: if you are 'gifted'(whatever if means), you SHOULD get a PhD and become a middle-class with high salary and the like, otherwise, you are somehow 'wasted'(the book does contains a part titled 'why many gifted don't get their PhDs?' !!!). I'm not trying to be cynical, the ideaology behind the author's dicourse does seem to me problematic. Would a truly gifted person, someone who can really see and think, consider a typical American bourgeois life desirable? Anyway, it is not really a bad book to read: there are many worse ways to spend an afternoon. Many entertaining passages can be found in it.
Rating:
Summary: you have got to be kidding me
Review: This book is a bit too anecdotal and narcissistic for my tastes. The text is filled with naval-gazing personal conjecture, self-directed inquiry and subjective opinion that, unfortunately, merely regurgitates many of the theories of pop-psychology. This book offers no real revelation of deviant giftedness, the stories told are common human stories. It might be a good book for the average reader who seeks to understand a gifted associate. . . . maybe. Or maybe I'm being generous. I really didn't care for this book, but the entire genre is lacking. You might feel compelled to buy this book because there is a stunning lack of scholarship on adult giftedness outside of the study of genius and madness. If you're gifted, don't bother, go buy a book on B.F. Skinner's Operant Social Engineering or Prussian-era compulsory schooling and feed your mind something yummy.
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