The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself
by Daniel J. Boorstin
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Book Summary Information
Author: Daniel J. BoorstinEdition: Audio Cassette
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Abridged
Published: 2003-10
ISBN: 1590073584
Publisher: New Millennium Audio
Book Reviews of The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself
Book Review: Amazing book from prehistory to circa 1900
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great trip through the great discoveries from prehistory (the concept of time being "discovered") up until the fleshing out of economics. It is highly readable for covering such sophisticated topics.
A few negatives, though this book still gets a 10 for enjoyment and educational value - post 1900 is poorly covered - Keynes and Einstein are mentioned but not discussed to the degree of Columbus. Some more maps would be helpful. Also, the Koreans and Chinese are discussed, but once again, not to the degree of people like Columbus.
Summary of The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself
An original history of man's greatest adventure: his search to discover the world around him.Perhaps the greatest book by one of our greatest historians, The Discoverers is a volume of sweeping range and majestic interpretation. To call it a history of science is an understatement; this is the story of how humankind has come to know the world, however incompletely ("the eternal mystery of the world," Einstein once said, "is its comprehensibility"). Daniel J. Boorstin first describes the liberating concept of time--"the first grand discovery"--and continues through the age of exploration and the advent of the natural and social sciences. The approach is idiosyncratic, with Boorstin lingering over particular figures and accomplishments rather than rushing on to the next set of names and dates. It's also primarily Western, although Boorstin does ask (and answer) several interesting questions: Why didn't the Chinese "discover" Europe and America? Why didn't the Arabs circumnavigate the planet? His thesis about discovery ultimately turns on what he calls "illusions of knowledge." If we think we know something, then we face an obstacle to innovation. The great discoverers, Boorstin shows, dispel the illusions and reveal something new about the world.
Although The Discoverers easily stands on its own, it is technically the first entry in a trilogy that also includes The Creators and The Seekers. An outstanding book--one of the best works of history to be found anywhere. --John J. Miller
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