The Creators

By: Daniel J. Boorstin

Narrated by: Michael Jackson

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this companion volume to The Discoverers, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Daniel J. Boorstin brings to life more than three thousand years of human artistic achievement.

In this engrossing book, Boorstin examines what people have added to the world: painting, sculpture, architecture, theology, philosophy, history, poetry, drama, literature, dance, music, and film.

In a narrative brimming with lively biographical sketches and illuminating anecdotes, Boorstin captures the remarkable history of artistic achievement in the West.

Here is a truly epic story, told with all the excitement, appreciation, and authority Boorstin brought to The Discoverers.

©1992 Daniel J. Boorstin (P)1992 The Publishing Mills

Critic Reviews

"An enormously stimulating volume, an epic work of immeasurable riches...this eloquent, remarkable synthesis sets the framework of humanity's advance from darkness and ignorance." (Publishers Weekly)
"A remarkable achievement and a pleasure...an engrossing introduction to many of the greatest glories of the imagination and the intellect." (The New York Times)

abridge too far

I was disappointed in this title. I'd heard very good things about the book, so I suspect the real problem is with the recording being abridged. What's there is good, but it jumps from topic to topic somewhat randomly and doesn't go into anything with any depth. It has scared me off from purchasing The Discoverers as an audiobook; I'll probably try the print version instead.

23 of 24 people found this review helpful

No one should miss this book...

This book was recommended to me by a friend. It is one of the most interesting books of the history of ALL the creators. Most of it was new knowledge and told like a storyteller, which kept my attention all the time. I have relistened to parts of it, so that I can memorize this important information.

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

Full version would have been better!

It is a good book and is nicely written however, because the audio book is abridged, you lose a lot of the meaning compared to the actual book, of which I have both. It is nice, but if you actually want the entire message and less chaos, save you money and buy the actual written version.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Strange but beautiful

Would you consider the audio edition of The Creators to be better than the print version?

Toss up.

What other book might you compare The Creators to and why?

Coming of Age in the Milky Way : Timothy Ferris. Avail on Audible. Endearing portraits of the oddballs who just have to create and explore.

What about Michael Jackson’s performance did you like?

Conversational tone, as if recounting old stories and characters. His delivery and the editing are herky jerky: this takes some getting used to be I've grown found of it, as it heightens the randomness and connectivity of creation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Willingness to take both spirituality and religious figures seriously.

Any additional comments?

Great for listeners like me, who use non fiction audio as bedtime stories, and who draw inspiration from the details and influences in the great lives.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Creators

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Boorstin is a brilliant, brilliant scholar. The audible version, however, did not quite have the some dynamism as reading the actual book.

Could you see The Creators being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe a PBS series.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for making this available.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

the ultimate anthology

Boorstin is the master of the brief history of...well, anything. We enjoy everything by him as a beautiful introduction to a vast array of people and ideas, from which we can then decide if we wish to investigage further. This is wonderfully written and perfectly read. A strong recommendation! Hans & Betty

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Abridged: Disappointing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. He's such a great author. Why the abridged version?

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

ho hum

Which scene was your favorite?

Renaissance period

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. It's not meant to be a movie. 5-10 documentaries perhaps. Yes

Any additional comments?

Why not the unabridged version? He's such a great writer. I was disappointed. I didn't know it was an abridged version when I bought it.

Inept abridgement

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People for whom a quick read is more important than a nuanced and thoughtful treatment.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A good UNabridged book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not his fault

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Only the unabridged parts -- but they too suffered from being wrenched out of context.

Any additional comments?

Don't abridge a thoughtful book like this one.

A loose disjointed potpourri created by people.

This book is somewhat disappointing.
It is not about the stimulus to create or the creative spirit, rather it is a litany of some things people have done.
It ranges from discoveries of explorers and scientists to art history and modern literature. It does not address what makes a creative person creative.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good survey

This is an informative historical survey of those whom Boorstin must consider the greatest creators from multiple disciplines. What I found maddeningly distracting was the narrator's mispronunciation of many of the names. Fair warning for those who are being introduced to these creators and their works for the first time. I wish I had kept a list to include here.

A taster menu of creators of all kinds of ideas

Religion architecture, painting, literature and music are all mentioned given as a morsel of possible exploration in a sea of possible subjects, some historical influences and religious influences are explored as to why cultures creations differ and some historical events influences are explained.
A great way to open up one's appetite for knowledge just do not expect it to be encyclopedic, this is a fun exploration of history and some of the influential stories of new ideas.

It is lamentable that Audible chose to only give an abridged version of this book.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful