Summary of The Polymath

The Polymath, by Ben Orlin, is an exploration of the power of lifelong learning and sustained intellectual activity. The book follows the lives of a hundred of the world’s greatest “squanderers of curiosity”—from natural scientists and inventors to philosophers and artists—who have proven that genius is acquired rather than simply inborn. By delving into the personalities, stories, and lives of some of history’s most inspiring polymaths, The Polymath aims to inspire readers to broaden their own education and expand their knowledge while discovering the joy of learning.