Book cover of Exuberance: The Passion for Life

Book description

A national bestselling author examines one of the mind's most exalted states—one that is crucially important to learning, risk-taking, social cohesiveness, and survival itself. 

“[Jamison is] that rare writer who can offer a kind of unified field theory of science and art.” —The Washington Post Book World

With the same…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Exuberance as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Like Sacks, Jamison is the rare scientist whose writing is both research-based and accessible.

In An Unquiet Mind, the memoir she published in 1995, Jamison shared her diagnosis of manic depression, chipping away at stigma by opening up about herself. In Exuberance, she takes readers in another direction by delving into a single human characteristic.

I have always been fascinated by people who are positive, upbeat, and charming—people who seem to be enveloped in joy. Jamison explores the history of exuberance and the people who exude it, from Teddy Roosevelt to P.T. Barnum.

Jamison’s enthusiasm for her subject springs…

If you love Exuberance...

Book cover of Your Brain, Explained

Your Brain, Explained by Marc Dingman,

Sleep. Memory. Pleasure. Fear. Language. We experience these things every day, but how do our brains create them? Your Brain, Explained is a personal tour around your gray matter. Neuroscientist Marc Dingman gives you a crash course in how your brain works and explains the latest research on the brain…

Want books like Exuberance?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 76 books like Exuberance.

Browse books like Exuberance

Book cover of The Bell Jar
Book cover of An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales
Book cover of Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?