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Creators: From Chaucer to Walt Disney
Hardcover and jacket - first edition, first printing - in very good condition. TS
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Paul Johnson
134 books827 followersPaul Johnson works as a historian, journalist and author. He was educated at Stonyhurst School in Clitheroe, Lancashire and Magdalen College, Oxford, and first came to prominence in the 1950s as a journalist writing for, and later editing, the New Statesman magazine. He has also written for leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the US and Europe.
Paul Johnson has published over 40 books including A History of Christianity (1979), A History of the English People (1987), Intellectuals (1988), The Birth of the Modern: World Society, 1815—1830 (1991), Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000 (1999), A History of the American People (2000), A History of the Jews (2001) and Art: A New History (2003) as well as biographies of Elizabeth I (1974), Napoleon (2002), George Washington (2005) and Pope John Paul II (1982).
Paul Johnson has published over 40 books including A History of Christianity (1979), A History of the English People (1987), Intellectuals (1988), The Birth of the Modern: World Society, 1815—1830 (1991), Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000 (1999), A History of the American People (2000), A History of the Jews (2001) and Art: A New History (2003) as well as biographies of Elizabeth I (1974), Napoleon (2002), George Washington (2005) and Pope John Paul II (1982).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 3, 2012
A few years ago, I read the book Intellectuals by Paul Johnson. There really aren’t enough words to describe what that book did to my thinking about modern history. It was scandalous, salacious, shocking, sensational, and, most importantly, sentiment-shifting. The fact that people regularly put themselves at the mercy of intellectuals who, though possessing a clearly high level of intelligence, are really quite nasty, immoral, and dislikeable people says a lot about the modern world. I think the book From Bauhaus to Our House by Tom Wolfe did a great job of supplementing that lesson with the arrogance of the artistic and specifically the architectural community. But, alas! Not all were satisfied. “Ad hominem!” the critics shouted, as if a man’s character has nothing to do with whether we might want to trust our society to his masterful instruction. So Paul Johnson set out to write a new book which would detail, not the failings and shortcomings of bad men, but the achievements and prolific accomplishments of great men. This book he called Creators.
I wasn’t sure if I would like Creators as much as Intellectuals. It didn’t seem to be as much of a paradigm shifting book, and, of course, it lacked the prurient hook of famous men behaving badly. However, as it turned out, I enjoyed Creators much more than Intellectuals. It is true that this book isn’t going to change your outlook on life. However, the inspiration it presents in a series of unconventional mini-bios of great creators is much more personally edifying than hearing about Victor Gollancz and his unfortunate obsession with his…um…member.
So, beginning with Chaucer and continuing on through Dürer, Shakespeare, Bach, Turner, Austen, and Twain to name a few, Johnson investigates just what it is in each of these Creators’ lives that make them so prolific and so enduring. Along the way, there were a number of people I hadn’t heard of: Hokusai, who practically invented the art of Japanese landscape painting, A.W.N. Pugin and Viollet-le-Duc who led the neo-Gothic architectural movement in England and France respectively, Balenciaga who was a famous dressmaker throughout the 20th century.
One thing that I found fascinating is that in most chapters, Johnson takes two great creators, oftentimes contemporaries, and compares their legacies, showing how their unique abilities, characters, and circumstances shaped their work. In this, I’m not certain if he was intending to imitate Plutarch, but the effect if of a modern Lives giving us a list of things to imitate and avoid. The only person Johnson rips apart in this book is Picasso whom he compares to Walt Disney. Disney, Johnson concludes, is a more enduring and influential artist because Disney wished to take the nature he saw around him and transform it into art, whereas Picasso wanted to move away from nature and portray only what he saw inside his head (a trait shared by most modern artists who are unknown outside of university art departments).
In conclusion Creators is a great series of mini-biographies for those interested in the prolific composers, artists, writers, and architects. Even if you’re not interested in all the specific topics the book presents, you will enjoy the personal touches and you’ll learn a good deal of fun information on the way. I, for example, didn’t think I would enjoy the chapter on Dior and Balenciaga, as I have about zero interest in fashion and dressmaking. However, I found myself fascinated and sucked into the fashion world of Paris nonetheless and hearing Johnson and learning what a conniving and horrible person Coco Chanel was. Creators has something to fit every taste and it creates a good counterpoint to Intellectuals, much the same way Chesterton’s Heretics is a perfect balance to his Orthodoxy.
I wasn’t sure if I would like Creators as much as Intellectuals. It didn’t seem to be as much of a paradigm shifting book, and, of course, it lacked the prurient hook of famous men behaving badly. However, as it turned out, I enjoyed Creators much more than Intellectuals. It is true that this book isn’t going to change your outlook on life. However, the inspiration it presents in a series of unconventional mini-bios of great creators is much more personally edifying than hearing about Victor Gollancz and his unfortunate obsession with his…um…member.
So, beginning with Chaucer and continuing on through Dürer, Shakespeare, Bach, Turner, Austen, and Twain to name a few, Johnson investigates just what it is in each of these Creators’ lives that make them so prolific and so enduring. Along the way, there were a number of people I hadn’t heard of: Hokusai, who practically invented the art of Japanese landscape painting, A.W.N. Pugin and Viollet-le-Duc who led the neo-Gothic architectural movement in England and France respectively, Balenciaga who was a famous dressmaker throughout the 20th century.
One thing that I found fascinating is that in most chapters, Johnson takes two great creators, oftentimes contemporaries, and compares their legacies, showing how their unique abilities, characters, and circumstances shaped their work. In this, I’m not certain if he was intending to imitate Plutarch, but the effect if of a modern Lives giving us a list of things to imitate and avoid. The only person Johnson rips apart in this book is Picasso whom he compares to Walt Disney. Disney, Johnson concludes, is a more enduring and influential artist because Disney wished to take the nature he saw around him and transform it into art, whereas Picasso wanted to move away from nature and portray only what he saw inside his head (a trait shared by most modern artists who are unknown outside of university art departments).
In conclusion Creators is a great series of mini-biographies for those interested in the prolific composers, artists, writers, and architects. Even if you’re not interested in all the specific topics the book presents, you will enjoy the personal touches and you’ll learn a good deal of fun information on the way. I, for example, didn’t think I would enjoy the chapter on Dior and Balenciaga, as I have about zero interest in fashion and dressmaking. However, I found myself fascinated and sucked into the fashion world of Paris nonetheless and hearing Johnson and learning what a conniving and horrible person Coco Chanel was. Creators has something to fit every taste and it creates a good counterpoint to Intellectuals, much the same way Chesterton’s Heretics is a perfect balance to his Orthodoxy.
September 4, 2019
A follow up to Paul Johnson's momentous work, Intellectuals, in which Johnson pointed out the hypocrisy and moral degeneration of the those who claim to be the great custodians of human justice and morality, an 'intellectual' is according to Johnson's definition someone who believes that ideas are more important than people.
In this highly readable and interesting volume, Johnson traces the lives and works of writers, architects, writers and designers. We learn of their lives and the ins and outs of their work.
In his introduction, Johnson refers to the Ancient Egyptian, Imhotep ((2650-2600 BCE), believed to be the first stone architect. Johnson takes us through the linguistic skill and alliterations of Chaucer, and examines two characters of Shakespeare's Falstaff and Hamlet.
He informs us how Victor Hugo was motivated to write Les Miserables, on the injustices he believed himself to have suffered despite his own callous disregard for the women he used and discarded.
He compares Hugo to Dickens, who unlike Hugo was true humanitarian and philanthropist. While Hugo thundered about injustice in general, dickens worked in specific instances to remedy it.
In his chapter on the great designers of the 20th century, Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga he describes the motivations of those who shaped beauty and elegance . He describes the 1960 as 'that disastrous decade'. Lastly he compares Pablo Picasso, revered by the av ant garde left, to be a brutal and sadistic egomaniac who beat women unconscious and supported the worst excesses of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union, Spain and elsewhere.
By contrast Walt Disney rejected Leftist ideals, struggled against those artists who aimed to turn cinema into a Marxist political tool and as a result was and still is demonized by the left wing thoughts and ideas establishment
A lively testimony of those who create and are inspired, and their lives and characters. A good read.
In this highly readable and interesting volume, Johnson traces the lives and works of writers, architects, writers and designers. We learn of their lives and the ins and outs of their work.
In his introduction, Johnson refers to the Ancient Egyptian, Imhotep ((2650-2600 BCE), believed to be the first stone architect. Johnson takes us through the linguistic skill and alliterations of Chaucer, and examines two characters of Shakespeare's Falstaff and Hamlet.
He informs us how Victor Hugo was motivated to write Les Miserables, on the injustices he believed himself to have suffered despite his own callous disregard for the women he used and discarded.
He compares Hugo to Dickens, who unlike Hugo was true humanitarian and philanthropist. While Hugo thundered about injustice in general, dickens worked in specific instances to remedy it.
In his chapter on the great designers of the 20th century, Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga he describes the motivations of those who shaped beauty and elegance . He describes the 1960 as 'that disastrous decade'. Lastly he compares Pablo Picasso, revered by the av ant garde left, to be a brutal and sadistic egomaniac who beat women unconscious and supported the worst excesses of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union, Spain and elsewhere.
By contrast Walt Disney rejected Leftist ideals, struggled against those artists who aimed to turn cinema into a Marxist political tool and as a result was and still is demonized by the left wing thoughts and ideas establishment
A lively testimony of those who create and are inspired, and their lives and characters. A good read.
February 27, 2017
Opinião publicada em: As Horas... que me preenchem de prazer.
Paul Johnson propõe, com este Criadores, uma reflexão sobre o poder criativo e o que torna determinadas individualidades essencialmente criativas e criadoras. Nas suas palavras:
"(...) embora potencialmente ou na realidade sejamos todos criativos, existem graus na criatividade, que vão desde o instinto que leva um tordo a construir o seu ninho e que, nos seres humanos, se reflecte em construções mais complexas, porém igualmente humildes, ao verdadeiramente sublime, que leva os artistas a empreender obras enormes e delicadas nunca antes concebidas e muito menos concretizadas. Como definir este nível de criatividade, ou como explicá-lo? Não conseguimos defini-lo, da mesma forma que não conseguimos definir o génio. Mas podemos ilustrá-lo. É o que este livro tenta fazer".
Desde o século XIV até à actualidade, as figuras abordadas ocupam essencialmente o campo das artes: literatura - Chauce, Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, Jane Austen, Mark Twain e T.S. Elliot; arquitectura e arte vidreira - Pugin, Viollet-le-duc e Tiffany; moda - Dior e Balenciaga; animação - Wallt Disney; pintura - Dürer, Turner, Hokusai e Picasso.
O que mais me motivou nesta leitura foi o descobrir do papel de figuras que desconhecia - Dürer e Chaucer, por exemplo - e o conhecer melhor as personalidades de figuras que sempre povoaram o meu imaginário: Shakespeare, Jane Austen, ou Walt Disney. Se, por um lado, deixou-me estarrecida a violência de Picasso, por outro adorei conhecer Mark Twain e compreendi a razão pela qual é uma referência para os comediantes.
Ao contrário do que se poderia julgar, esta não é uma leitura difícil, apesar do uso de termos mais técnicos referentes aos ofícios de determinadas figuras - Pugin e Viollet-le-duc, enquanto mestres da arte gótica, fizeram-me recorrer várias vezes ao precioso Google.
Não se considere, porém, que o autor menospreza a ciência. No encerramento da obra, surge a referência à bifurcação das artes e das ciências e a importância da «criação» científica:
"Por que não incluí nada, por exemplo, sobre as ciências? Não tenho resposta satisfatória para esta pergunta. É verdade que alguns observadores não permitirão que os cientistas sejam apelidados de criativos. Os cientistas são descobridores. Não se pode criar algo que já existe. Fazer descobertas é uma forma de actividade factual. Há duas objecções a este argumento (...) ao longo da história não se estabeleceu nenhuma verdadeira distinção entre o exercício da capacidade ou mesmo do génio nas artes e nas ciências".
O autor conclui afirmando que a arte ou ciências criativas não estão necessariamente interligadas ao modo de ganhar a vida do criador, nem tão pouco a criação é "propriamente desfrutada", sendo antes "uma experiência dolorosa e muitas vezes aterradora".
4,0/5*
Paul Johnson propõe, com este Criadores, uma reflexão sobre o poder criativo e o que torna determinadas individualidades essencialmente criativas e criadoras. Nas suas palavras:
"(...) embora potencialmente ou na realidade sejamos todos criativos, existem graus na criatividade, que vão desde o instinto que leva um tordo a construir o seu ninho e que, nos seres humanos, se reflecte em construções mais complexas, porém igualmente humildes, ao verdadeiramente sublime, que leva os artistas a empreender obras enormes e delicadas nunca antes concebidas e muito menos concretizadas. Como definir este nível de criatividade, ou como explicá-lo? Não conseguimos defini-lo, da mesma forma que não conseguimos definir o génio. Mas podemos ilustrá-lo. É o que este livro tenta fazer".
Desde o século XIV até à actualidade, as figuras abordadas ocupam essencialmente o campo das artes: literatura - Chauce, Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, Jane Austen, Mark Twain e T.S. Elliot; arquitectura e arte vidreira - Pugin, Viollet-le-duc e Tiffany; moda - Dior e Balenciaga; animação - Wallt Disney; pintura - Dürer, Turner, Hokusai e Picasso.
O que mais me motivou nesta leitura foi o descobrir do papel de figuras que desconhecia - Dürer e Chaucer, por exemplo - e o conhecer melhor as personalidades de figuras que sempre povoaram o meu imaginário: Shakespeare, Jane Austen, ou Walt Disney. Se, por um lado, deixou-me estarrecida a violência de Picasso, por outro adorei conhecer Mark Twain e compreendi a razão pela qual é uma referência para os comediantes.
Ao contrário do que se poderia julgar, esta não é uma leitura difícil, apesar do uso de termos mais técnicos referentes aos ofícios de determinadas figuras - Pugin e Viollet-le-duc, enquanto mestres da arte gótica, fizeram-me recorrer várias vezes ao precioso Google.
Não se considere, porém, que o autor menospreza a ciência. No encerramento da obra, surge a referência à bifurcação das artes e das ciências e a importância da «criação» científica:
"Por que não incluí nada, por exemplo, sobre as ciências? Não tenho resposta satisfatória para esta pergunta. É verdade que alguns observadores não permitirão que os cientistas sejam apelidados de criativos. Os cientistas são descobridores. Não se pode criar algo que já existe. Fazer descobertas é uma forma de actividade factual. Há duas objecções a este argumento (...) ao longo da história não se estabeleceu nenhuma verdadeira distinção entre o exercício da capacidade ou mesmo do génio nas artes e nas ciências".
O autor conclui afirmando que a arte ou ciências criativas não estão necessariamente interligadas ao modo de ganhar a vida do criador, nem tão pouco a criação é "propriamente desfrutada", sendo antes "uma experiência dolorosa e muitas vezes aterradora".
4,0/5*
April 29, 2021
I had to read this book for my Creativity and the Origin of Ideas class. We had to pick one creator in the book and make a presentation on them. So I only read chapter 12 to do more research on T.S. Eliot. I really enjoy it, I can't wait to actually read some of his work one day. I might go back and read other chapters.
January 20, 2020
A bit of history, a bit of biography, too much small talk.
May 29, 2013
At the beginning of "Creators," Paul Johnson asserts that God is the source of all human creativity. This claim, which of course can neither be proved nor disproved, means that the book's chapters merely tell how the author thinks creativity works, not why. Yes, an occasional insight appears like a comet in heavens. For example, Johnson argues that Picasso's "genius" arose from a twisted megalomania, that only his vision mattered. From that, Picasso changed art in the 20th century. I can ponder that thought. Yet Johnson's assertion that creativity is a mystery nursed in the bosom of the deity means that we mortals merely drink the milk. Maybe. But a god as cosmological genius gurgles in this reader's mind like gas bubbles in the stomach after the lactose intolerant eat bad cheese.
These chapters encompass short biographies, revealing facts about creators' lives and work. Johnson does this well. He acts as biographer, music critic, and historian when he delves into, for example, J.S. Bach's life and work. Bach came from a musical family and sired one. Johnson offers several works as evidence of Bach's brilliance, namely, "St. Matthew's Passion." The author discusses why this work compelled critics' and music lovers' attention then and does now. Thus, Johnson puts Bach into his time and ably argues for the composer's relevance today.
These features contribute to this book's sole strength. Johnson might have been well served with a term in Plato's academy or even the experience of ancient Greeks' frat party--a symposium. Then maybe he would've reasoned out why creativity happens. Frankly, readers would've been better served had the deity in which Johnson professes belief doused him with a stainless steel bucket of divine moo juice.
These chapters encompass short biographies, revealing facts about creators' lives and work. Johnson does this well. He acts as biographer, music critic, and historian when he delves into, for example, J.S. Bach's life and work. Bach came from a musical family and sired one. Johnson offers several works as evidence of Bach's brilliance, namely, "St. Matthew's Passion." The author discusses why this work compelled critics' and music lovers' attention then and does now. Thus, Johnson puts Bach into his time and ably argues for the composer's relevance today.
These features contribute to this book's sole strength. Johnson might have been well served with a term in Plato's academy or even the experience of ancient Greeks' frat party--a symposium. Then maybe he would've reasoned out why creativity happens. Frankly, readers would've been better served had the deity in which Johnson professes belief doused him with a stainless steel bucket of divine moo juice.
July 6, 2010
This book was full of great information! I especially enjoyed the chapters on Chaucer, Austen, Bach, Picasso, and Disney.
This books gives you a glimpse of what it takes to be an innovator and creative leader. Through the lives of some of the greatest creators of our time, Johnson explores what makes someone great in the creative world. The dedication and determination exemplified throughout the pages of this book is truly inspiring. I think anyone who has aspirations to be a crator, whether a writer or artists or musician, should take time to understand what made these creators stand out above the rest.
There are only two real criticism I have for this book. First, that the only female studied is Jane Austen. Perhaps, because women did not get the same chances as men, there are not as many influential females to pick from. But I wonder if there are some that are excluded that should have been recognized.
Secondly, sometimes the chapters were bogged down with detail. Although, the overall message of the chapter would hold my interest, I sometimes felt there was to much information provided (at least for me, who has not read anything on these individuals before this book). I found, coming to the end of the book, that not all of the information stuck with me, only the oversweeping message of each chapter.
This books gives you a glimpse of what it takes to be an innovator and creative leader. Through the lives of some of the greatest creators of our time, Johnson explores what makes someone great in the creative world. The dedication and determination exemplified throughout the pages of this book is truly inspiring. I think anyone who has aspirations to be a crator, whether a writer or artists or musician, should take time to understand what made these creators stand out above the rest.
There are only two real criticism I have for this book. First, that the only female studied is Jane Austen. Perhaps, because women did not get the same chances as men, there are not as many influential females to pick from. But I wonder if there are some that are excluded that should have been recognized.
Secondly, sometimes the chapters were bogged down with detail. Although, the overall message of the chapter would hold my interest, I sometimes felt there was to much information provided (at least for me, who has not read anything on these individuals before this book). I found, coming to the end of the book, that not all of the information stuck with me, only the oversweeping message of each chapter.
January 18, 2020
Upon closer acquaintance my admiration for some of these creators definitely declined (Hugo, Tiffany, Eliot, and Picasso), and in other cases (Disney, Durer, Pugin, Twain, Balenciaga, and Bach) it developed and deepened, and finally, in some cases, I was able to revel in what I already love about them (Shakespeare and Austen); in any case, I am thankful for Paul Johnson’s deepening my acquaintance with each of these personalities that have left such a mark on humanity. I found the book to be thorough, well-researched, humorous, disturbing, inspiring, and fascinating. What else is to be expected when you examine a sampling of humanity on a deeper level, especially one so given to creativity, ingenuity, and recognition? Along with the mini-biographies, I appreciated the introduction and conclusion chapters that were helpful in defining a creator versus a thinker, his nod to science as closely tied to art, his description of metaphor as it relates to the creative mind, and overall, his appreciation for comedy and art as essential to human life.
With all that said, this was a book that I would not have enjoyed as much if I hadn’t read it with a book club and had the opportunity to dialogue about each artist with others who brought their own insights and reactions. Without that, I may have actually given this book a 3. So my advice is to read this with a fellow reader!
With all that said, this was a book that I would not have enjoyed as much if I hadn’t read it with a book club and had the opportunity to dialogue about each artist with others who brought their own insights and reactions. Without that, I may have actually given this book a 3. So my advice is to read this with a fellow reader!
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August 1, 2013'They say that The Economist is an excellent magazine for keeping informed about subjects you don’t know anything about, but its deficiencies begin to appear as soon as it addresses one you do. The same could be said about Creators by the British polymath Paul Johnson, whose previous books, including Modern Times and The Birth of the Modern, have also tended to take on the kind of very large subjects of which one man could hardly be expected to have deep as well as extensive knowledge. But those books had a compelling narrative line and a brilliance that was at worst idiosyncratic. The arts seem to bring out the crank in him.
Creators, a collection of sketches and mini-biographies like Intellectuals, to which it is the second in a projected trilogy to be concluded with Heroes, is an even odder book. It lumps together Picasso and Disney, Bach and Balenciaga, Shakespeare and Louis Comfort Tiffany, all of whom share only the name of “creators.” Well, yes, but is that quite enough for them to have in common in order to make a subject for a book?'
Read the full review, "Absent at the Creation," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...
Creators, a collection of sketches and mini-biographies like Intellectuals, to which it is the second in a projected trilogy to be concluded with Heroes, is an even odder book. It lumps together Picasso and Disney, Bach and Balenciaga, Shakespeare and Louis Comfort Tiffany, all of whom share only the name of “creators.” Well, yes, but is that quite enough for them to have in common in order to make a subject for a book?'
Read the full review, "Absent at the Creation," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...
October 25, 2012
This is my second Paul Johnson book. My first was Modern Times. Creators is vastly different. It could be subtitled "The Musings of Paul Johnson".
The individual stories of specific creators, at times, are quite interesting. But in some chapters he wanders, leaving the reader wondering what the point of the chapter really is. He sometimes focuses on the strange or vulgar, while leaving out or marginalizing the master works of specific artists (e.g. Hugo's Les Mes gets less coverage than his filandering).
Bach by far is the best chapter. I gained a heightened appreciation for the real life he led; his extended family and the evolution of music and istruments.
If you want Paul Johnson's opinion, you will certainly get it in this book. However, it many instances you will not receive objective evidence for that opinion.
All in all, an interesting read but not exceptional.
The individual stories of specific creators, at times, are quite interesting. But in some chapters he wanders, leaving the reader wondering what the point of the chapter really is. He sometimes focuses on the strange or vulgar, while leaving out or marginalizing the master works of specific artists (e.g. Hugo's Les Mes gets less coverage than his filandering).
Bach by far is the best chapter. I gained a heightened appreciation for the real life he led; his extended family and the evolution of music and istruments.
If you want Paul Johnson's opinion, you will certainly get it in this book. However, it many instances you will not receive objective evidence for that opinion.
All in all, an interesting read but not exceptional.
July 17, 2011
A look at some 17 "creators" including writers, artists, musicians, etc. This book is certainly a discussion-starter mainly because Johnson does not hesitate to touch upon sensitive issues of creators generally held in high regard. But Johnson throws around admiring superlatives as well as damning condemnations with little or no justification. He has his strong likes and dislikes (idolizes Shakespeare, abhors Hugo), and he can't seem to keep his personal prejudices and politics to himself. Slanted, opinionated, infuriating at times...but worth a read for some enlightening, interesting, and provocative points of view. Now I need to go back and read his "Intellectuals" as well as look forward to the forthcoming "Heroes" and "Monsters."
March 6, 2013
I didn't even bother finishing this book. I read the first three chapters and felt immediately that:
a) at some level the author was comparing himself and his talents to those of some of the greatest artistic geniuses in western history and
b) that each of his chapters could essentially be compared to high school book reports about said geniuses.
c) The quality of the writing itself left much to be desired.
a) at some level the author was comparing himself and his talents to those of some of the greatest artistic geniuses in western history and
b) that each of his chapters could essentially be compared to high school book reports about said geniuses.
c) The quality of the writing itself left much to be desired.
July 30, 2008
Only 50 pages into it... but already have amassed a ridiculous stockpile of dinner-party-trivia. His writing style is a bit disappointing, I'll be frank. Is it really so scholarly to insist that everyone/everything is 'undoubtedly the best that ever was' or 'without question the most gifted pioneer the world has ever produced?'
A bit much, sir. But well-researched.
A bit much, sir. But well-researched.
January 25, 2018
This is a great book if you are looking for a survey of creative people in history. I learned much about people that I didn't know anything about before reading this book, however I didn't find much practical advice that I could take away from this book.
August 1, 2019
3 1/2 stars. I don't know how I even came to read this book. What made me check it out of the library? I'm glad I did though. This book is probably read dipping into it a chapter at a time - rather than all at one go. Each essay stands on its own. Some of them are better than others.
This is NOT some straight-up history/biography of various "creators". This whole book is *Paul Johnson's* take on those creators. It's like discussing these people with someone who has spent some time *thinking* about these people. And then tells you what he thinks - not just the facts. That made it more enjoyable to me. I want the quotes or the stories or the gossip, even, about these people, not just Wikipedia facts.
Honestly, though, the book suffers from one thing - a lack of PICTURES. Especially in those chapters regarding the more visual arts. I spent a good bit of time looking up art by Durer, Hokusai, Tiffany, Balenciaga, etc. because while Johnson may know whereof he speaks *I* did not. A few pictures might have helped. But that's a minor quibble.
This is NOT some straight-up history/biography of various "creators". This whole book is *Paul Johnson's* take on those creators. It's like discussing these people with someone who has spent some time *thinking* about these people. And then tells you what he thinks - not just the facts. That made it more enjoyable to me. I want the quotes or the stories or the gossip, even, about these people, not just Wikipedia facts.
Honestly, though, the book suffers from one thing - a lack of PICTURES. Especially in those chapters regarding the more visual arts. I spent a good bit of time looking up art by Durer, Hokusai, Tiffany, Balenciaga, etc. because while Johnson may know whereof he speaks *I* did not. A few pictures might have helped. But that's a minor quibble.
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March 15, 2022Din.pacate, scrisa intr un stil neatrenant.
September 5, 2020
One of my absolute favorite authors. Paul Johnson’s is the kind of mind that comes around once in a generation or more. I loved his choices of those he considers some of history’s greatest creative geniuses, starting with Imhotep in 5h Century BC Egypt. Such phenomenal insight. One great part of the book was his chapter on Picasso and Disney in which he showed the dramatic difference between the output of a generous contributor to culture (Disney) versus the narcissistic destructive impulses of a reprobate like Picasso. But my absolute favorite chapter was on the phenomenal creative genius of Louis Comfort Tiffany. There’s not a bad page in the book from beginning to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
unfinished
March 13, 2015I enjoyed Johnson’s Intellectuals, which offered biographies of a variety of famous people whose primary product was ideas. This time, Johnson is tackling creators, those whose primary product was poetry, music, novels, art, or movies. I look forward to reading this collection. Based on the sample I’ve read (up to half way through the second chapter), it seems that, as with Intellectuals, he will be attempting to draw some common threads through the lives of these characters while revealing their fascinating idiosyncrasies.
February 25, 2012
A fascinating exploration of creativity via sketches of the greatest creative personalities of history. More positive & constructive -- and enjoyable -- than Intellectuals was. Has inspired me in wanting to read more Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Victor Hugo, Mark Twain and Dickens. Loved the chapters on areas I knew little about -- Bach and pipe organs, Durer and printing, Pugin and architecture. Yet I remain uninspired regarding poetry and painting! Johnson is a chronic name dropper, but the anecdote about discussing TS Elliot's poetry with CS Lewis and Tolkien is a good one.
May 18, 2013
Well, a great deal of knowledge, some I find very eye opening (e.g Wagner's creating mode, T.S. Eliot's story, or Balenciaga's high fashion, Mark Twain's story telling, Victor Hugo's intellectuals and Picasso's morals - I've never come across these lives or these aspects of their lives before)
But, tsk, I feel like sometimes there's too much praising in grand words without pointing out really anything - kind of showing off... or sometimes quite strong bias which is not concealed with enough humor as needed.
But, tsk, I feel like sometimes there's too much praising in grand words without pointing out really anything - kind of showing off... or sometimes quite strong bias which is not concealed with enough humor as needed.
May 14, 2007
Paul Johnson is definitely Old School. He takes the kind of Eurocentric position in praising his chosen list of the greatest creative geniuses of all time (n.b. Jane Austen is the only woman to make the list and all are European or American) that academics of the current generation chomp at the bit to pick apart and ridicule. That said, it was nice reading little snippets about such diverse "creators," from Chaucer to Walt Disney.
May 19, 2016
A fascinating collection of mini biographies of reknown 'creators' in their respective fields. Johnson goes on to analyze what may have been the factors, internal and external, that contributed to their genius. Chapters were diverse in subject, including Chaucer, Durer, Bach,Tiffany, Twain, Dior, Shakespeare, Picasso and Disney among others. Johnson has written other such studies.
January 25, 2020
Ce-i uneste pe Balenciaga si Turner, pe Jane Austen si Hokusai?
Pana la urma - metafora creatiei, metamorfozarea banalei noastre lumi in capodopere de gandire si simtire.
Paul Johnson deschide scrinul magic al nemuririi si ne aseaza fata in fata cu diversele sale nume: Shakespeare, Hugo, Pugin, Tiffany...
Pana la urma - metafora creatiei, metamorfozarea banalei noastre lumi in capodopere de gandire si simtire.
Paul Johnson deschide scrinul magic al nemuririi si ne aseaza fata in fata cu diversele sale nume: Shakespeare, Hugo, Pugin, Tiffany...
February 5, 2021
I'm taking this one in chapters, mostly at random. I haven't gotten them all yet, but I like the essays. The Picasso one was incredibly revealing-- I don't feel bad for hating his "art" anymore! Nor do I feel sheepish about loving some of Disney's classics, especially Mary Poppins.
May 15, 2010
Good overview of the creators profiled. Particularly enjoyed the Balenciaga and Dior section. The "chatty" and overly personal style ("when I met [this person's friend:] I found him to be blah blah blab....") was distracting at times.
January 24, 2011
A very insightful book covering a vast range of "creators". Some chapters were very interesting and enjoyable to me, others much less. Oddly enough that is not due to my interest in the particular art form, or lack thereof. A book worth reading, or picking out the gems!
June 16, 2012
I thought it was a sequel to Intellectuals where the author bashed the personality of the intellectuals. This is a more soft one biographies on world's creators. A lot of lesson to learn on genius and perseverance.
January 21, 2013
Good book, with some interesting observations. By necessity the bios are short, but informative. Would have liked more of Johnson's own analysis of his characters. In the places in which he did speak, he was very thought-provoking.
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May 29, 2008I love this guy and want to own a complete set of his works. If you think history and biography are boring then I suggest you give him a try.
December 3, 2008
I greatly enjoyed this survey of creative individuals by Paul Johnson. The chapters on Durer, Balanciago, and Tiffany were particularly good.
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