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Great Men of Genius Series

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Great Men of Genius Series

By: Mike Daisey
Narrated by: Mike Daisey
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About this listen

 Monologist Mike Daisey presents a dazzling new work: four "bio-logues" about megalomania and desire constructed from the interleaved life stories of Bertolt Brecht, P.T. Barnum, Nikola Tesla, and L. Ron Hubbard. Over four nights Daisey explores the nature of genius and wrestles with the pride, insanity, and chauvinism that bind these men together, and reveals how the heights and depths of their gifts have much to teach us about ourselves. Each evening is unique and can be listened to independently, but all four together form an epic oral accounting of triumph and folly told with Daisey's dark and hilarious intensity.

The geniuses are, in order of appearance:

  • Bertolt Brecht - playwright, poet, lover of women, and certifiable cad who escaped Nazi Germany, sympathized with the Communists, failed in Hollywood, was persecuted by McCarthy, and redefined world theater.

  • P.T. Barnum - gifted entrepreneur, showman, raconteur, hoaxster, freakshow and circus promoter who changed the face of 19th century America through blatant, shameless lying.

  • Nikola Tesla - mad genius, brilliant scientist and visionary who sparred with Thomas Edison and died insane and penniless writing love sonnets to pigeons after bringing the world electricity as we know it.

  • L. Ron Hubbard - bigamist, occultist, and charismatic science fiction author-turned-guru who took 1950s popular psychiatry by storm and went on to create the Church of Scientology: the most celebrity-driven and litigious organization on Earth.
    • ©2006 Mike Daisey (P)2008 Audible, Inc.     Entertainment & Celebrities Funny Witty

    Critic reviews

    "Daisey is a master showman, combining the storytelling acumen of David Sedaris and Lewis Black's outraged humor." (Daily Californian)
    "Mike Daisey's monologues brim with subtle messages that never hammer you over the head...by association, he adds himself to the titular category." (Time Out New York)
    All stars
    Most relevant  
    Certainly an extremely gifted storyteller. I'm nailed to the chair, partly nervous - because anything unexpected comes purging out of this massive man - and at the same time completely mesmerized by his words, especially how he uses his voice in sending the words towards me at tremendous speed and a massive power, which resembles violence.
    Still I need to stay and listen intensely to every frase, every word - because everything embodied so rich meaning and understanding of what the real world and the (crazy) people placed in it.

    It makes me think... and wonder ... for days ...

    Recommended very high ! Enjoy, wonder and return a little bit richer and wiser.

    Exploding, hilarious, scaring and bit unsettling!

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