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A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life
From Academy Award–winning producer Brian Grazer and acclaimed business journalist Charles Fishman comes the New York Times bestselling, brilliantly entertaining peek into the weekly “curiosity conversations” that have inspired Grazer to create some of America’s favorite and iconic movies and television shows—from 24 to A Beautiful Mind.
For decades, film and TV producer Brian Grazer has scheduled a weekly “curiosity conversation” with an accomplished stranger. From scientists to spies, and adventurers to business leaders, Grazer has met with anyone willing to answer his questions for a few hours. These informal discussions sparked the creative inspiration behind many of Grazer’s movies and TV shows, including Splash, 24, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Arrested Development, 8 Mile, J. Edgar, Empire, and many others.
A Curious Mind is a brilliantly entertaining, fascinating, and inspiring homage to the power of inquisitiveness and the ways in which it deepens and improves us. Whether you’re looking to improve your management style at work or you want to become a better romantic partner, this book—and its lessons on the power of curiosity—can change your life.
For decades, film and TV producer Brian Grazer has scheduled a weekly “curiosity conversation” with an accomplished stranger. From scientists to spies, and adventurers to business leaders, Grazer has met with anyone willing to answer his questions for a few hours. These informal discussions sparked the creative inspiration behind many of Grazer’s movies and TV shows, including Splash, 24, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Arrested Development, 8 Mile, J. Edgar, Empire, and many others.
A Curious Mind is a brilliantly entertaining, fascinating, and inspiring homage to the power of inquisitiveness and the ways in which it deepens and improves us. Whether you’re looking to improve your management style at work or you want to become a better romantic partner, this book—and its lessons on the power of curiosity—can change your life.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2014
868 people are currently reading
9319 people want to read
About the author
Brian Grazer
9 books126 followersBrian Grazer is the Academy Award-winning producer of A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Splash, Arrested Development, 24, 8 Mile, J. Edgar, Empire, and many more. His films and TV shows have been nominated for forty-three Academy Awards and 131 Emmys. In 2007, he was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 893 reviews
April 17, 2015
Brian Grazer appears to have written this book to impress the reader with how cool Brian Grazer thinks Brian Grazer is as much as how cool he thinks curiosity is and should be for us all.
Grazer has been holding what he calls "Curiosity Conversations" for much of his life with people he finds interesting. What he presents in his book is are chapters extolling the various virtues of curiosity mixed with stories about trying to meet people for these conversations and lots and lots of mentions of all of the famous people he knows, the movies and tv shows he's made, and his hair.
I get that Grazer is very taken with himself. I get that he wants us to be very taken with him, too. I get that his co-author drank the Kool-Aid and is taken with Grazer. The problem for me is that this book is promoted as a look at curiosity and how the reader can use curiosity to expand their lives and not a PR piece from Imagine Entertainment (Grazer's company).
Grazer's stories about meeting The Famous and the Powerful quickly get tiring. That he tells the same story about how Fidel Castro asked him how Grazer gets his hair to stand up twice in the book is just sloppy writing and editing.
Towards the end of the book is a long list of all of the people Grazer has held Curiosity Conversations with. This serves no other purpose than to impress the reader with Grazer's connections -- and to show what this book could have been about. If Grazer had focused the book on his actual conversations with this wide range of people instead of the few he thought the reader would be most impressed by (including himself) this could have been a book worthy of attention.
Instead, spend your time more wisely.
Grazer has been holding what he calls "Curiosity Conversations" for much of his life with people he finds interesting. What he presents in his book is are chapters extolling the various virtues of curiosity mixed with stories about trying to meet people for these conversations and lots and lots of mentions of all of the famous people he knows, the movies and tv shows he's made, and his hair.
I get that Grazer is very taken with himself. I get that he wants us to be very taken with him, too. I get that his co-author drank the Kool-Aid and is taken with Grazer. The problem for me is that this book is promoted as a look at curiosity and how the reader can use curiosity to expand their lives and not a PR piece from Imagine Entertainment (Grazer's company).
Grazer's stories about meeting The Famous and the Powerful quickly get tiring. That he tells the same story about how Fidel Castro asked him how Grazer gets his hair to stand up twice in the book is just sloppy writing and editing.
Towards the end of the book is a long list of all of the people Grazer has held Curiosity Conversations with. This serves no other purpose than to impress the reader with Grazer's connections -- and to show what this book could have been about. If Grazer had focused the book on his actual conversations with this wide range of people instead of the few he thought the reader would be most impressed by (including himself) this could have been a book worthy of attention.
Instead, spend your time more wisely.
July 3, 2015
I picked up this book because I saw Brian Grazer on The Daily Show, and he seemed humble, fun, and interesting. So I thought the book would be, you know, humble, fun and interesting. Oy! Wrong on all counts.
This book is a mess, and if you listen to the audio book, read by Norbert Leo Butz, you will find yourself groaning out loud and wishing your could crawl through your electronic device to throw a drink in his face. Butz’s voice exudes arrogance that oozes through the speaker/earpiece like a thick gel. It makes the mediocre writing even worse. His voice turns Grazer into that old guy picking up the tab at that expensive dinner that just won’t end, where you are obliged to listen as he waxes on and on about his life’s philosopy with such gems as: when you need someone’s help ask him how he can be part of the solution instead of just ordering him around. Eureka!
Grazer is a Hollywood producer who has brought movies as varied Night Shift, A Beautiful Mind, Far and Away, and Frost Nixon. Grazer has led an extraordinarily interesting life and met with extraordinarily interesting people. So how has he has produced such an extraordinarily boring book?
Ever since Grazer became important enough for people to start taking his calls, he has been having “curiosity conversations” with a list of amazing people: Jonas Salk, Fidel Castro, Condaleeza Rice, Issac Asimov. He makes an appointment with them—this process alone can take years—and then talks to them about their life, about what they do, and how they think. Fascinating, right? Well, it might be. But you’ll never know, because he tells you precious little about them. He spent four hours talking to Fidel Castro, but all he tells you about that meeting is that Castro asked how Grazer styles his hair! Seriously. If he had written a book about the content of his curiosity conversations, it would undoubtedly have been fascinating. But all he will give you is a tiny non-fascinating tidbit here or there. Maybe this is how Grazer is trying to spark curiosity: he lets you know his life is fascinating, but tells you very little about it, so you can’t help but be curious.
I admit that the book made me curious about a few other things, too. Like, did anyone edit this? I mean, it’s “co-written” by a professional writer, yet half the things Grazer labels as “curiosity” are really qualities like “grit,” “conscientiousness,” “persistence,” and “good management skills.” It is maddening to see him label these things as “curiosity,” not unlike listening to Alanis Morrisette’s “Ironic,” and constantly thinking, “That’s not irony, that’s just bad luck.”
Also, who thought this should have been a book instead of, say, a magazine article, or a TED talk? It would be much better suited for that. Readers, by nature, are curious. That is why we turn the page. We don’t need to be convinced to be curious, we need validation, information, inspiration. The tile implies that this book will tell you how to hone your curiosity skills, how we as a society can encourage curiosity, or about the innate benefits of curiosity. But it doesn’t. The main lesson of the book is: Hey, I’m a really curious person, and that’s how I became a rich and powerful movie producer with a stick-up hairstyle that fascinates everyone!
Admittedly, the book made me curious about myself: “Why am I continuing to wade through the muck of this book? Why do I feel compelled to finish it?” Mostly to write this snarky review. I was that moved.
Grazer wants spread the gospel of curiosity and encourage others to be curious. He believes that the secret sauce to his success is his curiosity. He may be right, but you wouldn’t know if from reading this book.
This book is a mess, and if you listen to the audio book, read by Norbert Leo Butz, you will find yourself groaning out loud and wishing your could crawl through your electronic device to throw a drink in his face. Butz’s voice exudes arrogance that oozes through the speaker/earpiece like a thick gel. It makes the mediocre writing even worse. His voice turns Grazer into that old guy picking up the tab at that expensive dinner that just won’t end, where you are obliged to listen as he waxes on and on about his life’s philosopy with such gems as: when you need someone’s help ask him how he can be part of the solution instead of just ordering him around. Eureka!
Grazer is a Hollywood producer who has brought movies as varied Night Shift, A Beautiful Mind, Far and Away, and Frost Nixon. Grazer has led an extraordinarily interesting life and met with extraordinarily interesting people. So how has he has produced such an extraordinarily boring book?
Ever since Grazer became important enough for people to start taking his calls, he has been having “curiosity conversations” with a list of amazing people: Jonas Salk, Fidel Castro, Condaleeza Rice, Issac Asimov. He makes an appointment with them—this process alone can take years—and then talks to them about their life, about what they do, and how they think. Fascinating, right? Well, it might be. But you’ll never know, because he tells you precious little about them. He spent four hours talking to Fidel Castro, but all he tells you about that meeting is that Castro asked how Grazer styles his hair! Seriously. If he had written a book about the content of his curiosity conversations, it would undoubtedly have been fascinating. But all he will give you is a tiny non-fascinating tidbit here or there. Maybe this is how Grazer is trying to spark curiosity: he lets you know his life is fascinating, but tells you very little about it, so you can’t help but be curious.
I admit that the book made me curious about a few other things, too. Like, did anyone edit this? I mean, it’s “co-written” by a professional writer, yet half the things Grazer labels as “curiosity” are really qualities like “grit,” “conscientiousness,” “persistence,” and “good management skills.” It is maddening to see him label these things as “curiosity,” not unlike listening to Alanis Morrisette’s “Ironic,” and constantly thinking, “That’s not irony, that’s just bad luck.”
Also, who thought this should have been a book instead of, say, a magazine article, or a TED talk? It would be much better suited for that. Readers, by nature, are curious. That is why we turn the page. We don’t need to be convinced to be curious, we need validation, information, inspiration. The tile implies that this book will tell you how to hone your curiosity skills, how we as a society can encourage curiosity, or about the innate benefits of curiosity. But it doesn’t. The main lesson of the book is: Hey, I’m a really curious person, and that’s how I became a rich and powerful movie producer with a stick-up hairstyle that fascinates everyone!
Admittedly, the book made me curious about myself: “Why am I continuing to wade through the muck of this book? Why do I feel compelled to finish it?” Mostly to write this snarky review. I was that moved.
Grazer wants spread the gospel of curiosity and encourage others to be curious. He believes that the secret sauce to his success is his curiosity. He may be right, but you wouldn’t know if from reading this book.
June 2, 2015
Oh, what could have been!
Had Grazer simply written an autobiography, or just written about his hundreds of "curiosity conversations" with famous people, this book would have been a home run. Instead he goes on and on about the virtues of curiosity using weird examples and boring data.
We get it, Grazer. Curiosity is a good thing. Instead of repeating that over and over, why don't you just show us how curiosity has been so helpful to you with more interesting stories.
Every ten pages or so, he drops in a little story and you think, That was interesting. I'd like to hear more about that. But then it's back to more boring curiosity theory stuff.
He only sprinkles in a few of the "curiosity conversations," mostly in rapid fire toward the end. And he doesn't actually explain what goes into one of these conversations until the very, very, very end of the book. I found myself wondering, So what kind of questions did he ask Michael Jackson? What did he ask George Bush? Does he have a set list of questions, or does he just wing it? You're mostly left in the dark.
But that's the way Grazer wanted it. He says in the acknowledgements that he didn't want to just write an autobiography. The main theme had to be curiosity. Too bad.
Had Grazer simply written an autobiography, or just written about his hundreds of "curiosity conversations" with famous people, this book would have been a home run. Instead he goes on and on about the virtues of curiosity using weird examples and boring data.
We get it, Grazer. Curiosity is a good thing. Instead of repeating that over and over, why don't you just show us how curiosity has been so helpful to you with more interesting stories.
Every ten pages or so, he drops in a little story and you think, That was interesting. I'd like to hear more about that. But then it's back to more boring curiosity theory stuff.
He only sprinkles in a few of the "curiosity conversations," mostly in rapid fire toward the end. And he doesn't actually explain what goes into one of these conversations until the very, very, very end of the book. I found myself wondering, So what kind of questions did he ask Michael Jackson? What did he ask George Bush? Does he have a set list of questions, or does he just wing it? You're mostly left in the dark.
But that's the way Grazer wanted it. He says in the acknowledgements that he didn't want to just write an autobiography. The main theme had to be curiosity. Too bad.
January 6, 2016
I haven't wanted to punch a book in its face for so long. Until this little sucker came along. I hated almost every sentence contained in this book. I cannot believe two authors and at least one editor allowed this garbage to be published? And Malcolm Gladwell gave it an endorsement? Dude needs to reevaluate his standards.
If you are looking for a poorly written, pretentious, name-dropping, repetitive, trite, and useless book, look no further; you've found it.
If you are looking for a poorly written, pretentious, name-dropping, repetitive, trite, and useless book, look no further; you've found it.
August 11, 2015
The only curious thing about this book is that it got published.
It really needs to be retitled: About Brian Grazer.
Because there's no secret here to a bigger life.
But I'll tell you the secret to a bigger life: Be well-known, well-connected and rich, and people will eventually have "curiosity conversations" with you. Otherwise, likely they won't take your calls.
It really needs to be retitled: About Brian Grazer.
Because there's no secret here to a bigger life.
But I'll tell you the secret to a bigger life: Be well-known, well-connected and rich, and people will eventually have "curiosity conversations" with you. Otherwise, likely they won't take your calls.
April 21, 2015
"We are all trapped in our own way of thinking. Trapped in our own way of relating to people. We get so used to seeing the world our own way, we come to think that the world is the way that we see it."
Brian Grazer has written an amazing book about how his "curiosity conversations" over his lifetime have shaped how he sees the world and how it informs the movies and television shows he has produced. For him, "curiosity is the flint from which flies the spark of inspiration" in storytelling. He has spent decades asking all kinds of people to sit down with him to have a "curiosity conversation" - hundreds of the most accomplished people in their fields: Lew Wasserman, Carl Sagan, Fidel Castro, Letitia Baldrige, Jonas Salk, Oprah. He had conversatins with Barack Obama, John McCain and President George W. Bush all on the same day in DC in 2005. The conversations are not specific - they are based on "open hearted questions" that activate curiosity.
Grazer has an interesting personal narrative about how he got into the movie business at the age of 22 back in the '70s. It's only later in the book that he reveals he is dyslexic, a diagnosis made decades after he left elementary school in the 1950s. In going over the cultural attitudes about curiosity and how we respond to children (and adults) who ask "curious" questions he observes "Good behavior, whether you are fourteen years old or forty-five, doesn't include curiosity." He was fortunate to connect with Ron Howard just as Howard was trying to establish himself as a director. Together they made Night Shift and Splash, established Imagine Entertainment in 1986 and became best friends. They have gone on to make memorable movies like Backdraft, Apollo 13, Friday Night Lights, A Beautiful Mind and many others.
Later in the book he gives a brief history of curiosity and how it affected the work of 18th century scientists, like Thomas Hook, who asked questions that had never been asked before. It's central to one of the main theses of the book, "Life isn't about finding the answers. It's about asking the questions." He then segues into the limits of the Internet. "You can't search for the answer to questions that haven't been asked yet and you can't Google new ideas. The Internet can only tell us what we already know."
The book is so thoroughly enjoyable. It's such a fascinating journey through someone else's discovery of the world through his diligence in asking to talk to some of the most interesting, accomplished and extraordinary people in our lifetime. Given how difficult it is for him to read, it makes sense that he learns best this way: "It's learning without being taught. It's learning through storytelling."
His belief in the power of curiosity resonates with me so strongly. "Curiosity is a state of mind. More specifically, it's the state of having an open mind. Curiosity is a kind of receptivity, and best of all, there is no trick to curiosity. You just have to ask one good question a day and listen to the answer. Curiosity is a more exciting way to live in the world. It is truly the secret to living a bigger life."
Amen to that.
Brian Grazer has written an amazing book about how his "curiosity conversations" over his lifetime have shaped how he sees the world and how it informs the movies and television shows he has produced. For him, "curiosity is the flint from which flies the spark of inspiration" in storytelling. He has spent decades asking all kinds of people to sit down with him to have a "curiosity conversation" - hundreds of the most accomplished people in their fields: Lew Wasserman, Carl Sagan, Fidel Castro, Letitia Baldrige, Jonas Salk, Oprah. He had conversatins with Barack Obama, John McCain and President George W. Bush all on the same day in DC in 2005. The conversations are not specific - they are based on "open hearted questions" that activate curiosity.
Grazer has an interesting personal narrative about how he got into the movie business at the age of 22 back in the '70s. It's only later in the book that he reveals he is dyslexic, a diagnosis made decades after he left elementary school in the 1950s. In going over the cultural attitudes about curiosity and how we respond to children (and adults) who ask "curious" questions he observes "Good behavior, whether you are fourteen years old or forty-five, doesn't include curiosity." He was fortunate to connect with Ron Howard just as Howard was trying to establish himself as a director. Together they made Night Shift and Splash, established Imagine Entertainment in 1986 and became best friends. They have gone on to make memorable movies like Backdraft, Apollo 13, Friday Night Lights, A Beautiful Mind and many others.
Later in the book he gives a brief history of curiosity and how it affected the work of 18th century scientists, like Thomas Hook, who asked questions that had never been asked before. It's central to one of the main theses of the book, "Life isn't about finding the answers. It's about asking the questions." He then segues into the limits of the Internet. "You can't search for the answer to questions that haven't been asked yet and you can't Google new ideas. The Internet can only tell us what we already know."
The book is so thoroughly enjoyable. It's such a fascinating journey through someone else's discovery of the world through his diligence in asking to talk to some of the most interesting, accomplished and extraordinary people in our lifetime. Given how difficult it is for him to read, it makes sense that he learns best this way: "It's learning without being taught. It's learning through storytelling."
His belief in the power of curiosity resonates with me so strongly. "Curiosity is a state of mind. More specifically, it's the state of having an open mind. Curiosity is a kind of receptivity, and best of all, there is no trick to curiosity. You just have to ask one good question a day and listen to the answer. Curiosity is a more exciting way to live in the world. It is truly the secret to living a bigger life."
Amen to that.
December 22, 2017
This is definitely a fun book; engaging, entertaining, and a wonderful insight into the life of a top Hollywood movie producer. But, this book is not so much about the concept of curiosity, as the life of Brian Grazer. He is a very curious person, no doubt. His story of how he started out in the movie business is hysterical. He devotes a lot of time to seeking out interesting people, and interviewing them simply for the fun of it--simply because Grazer is curious. He does not do the interviews for the purpose of future movie productions. He interviews people just because they are often so interesting. There is an awful lot of name-dropping in this book; Bill Clinton, Linda Ronstadt, Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, Edward Teller; the list goes on and on.
Isn't Grazer wonderful--he spent a weekend with Jonas Salk, who upon initially meeting helped Grazer to a big glass of orange juice. Grazer goes over his list of films he produced -- again and again. They are important movies, it is true, and they are mostly excellent. Then he describes the screening of his movie "Apollo 13" in the White House, and all the people he met there, especially the CEO of his company's new owner.
The most interesting episode was his interview with Isaac Asimov. Grazer met with Asimov and his wife in a restaurant. After a few minutes, Asimov's wife said that it was obvious that Grazer was not really familiar with Asimov's works; he had not read any (or many) of his books. Asimov is a very busy man, and he should not waste his time with such a person who does not do his homework. So, the interview is over, and the Asimovs walked out of the restaurant. This anecdote puts a very human face on Brian Grazer, and is a good lesson for people who want to follow in his footsteps.
I listened to the audiobook, as narrated by Norbert Leo Butz. His voice is very pleasing, and gives the impression that we are listening to the author himself.
Isn't Grazer wonderful--he spent a weekend with Jonas Salk, who upon initially meeting helped Grazer to a big glass of orange juice. Grazer goes over his list of films he produced -- again and again. They are important movies, it is true, and they are mostly excellent. Then he describes the screening of his movie "Apollo 13" in the White House, and all the people he met there, especially the CEO of his company's new owner.
The most interesting episode was his interview with Isaac Asimov. Grazer met with Asimov and his wife in a restaurant. After a few minutes, Asimov's wife said that it was obvious that Grazer was not really familiar with Asimov's works; he had not read any (or many) of his books. Asimov is a very busy man, and he should not waste his time with such a person who does not do his homework. So, the interview is over, and the Asimovs walked out of the restaurant. This anecdote puts a very human face on Brian Grazer, and is a good lesson for people who want to follow in his footsteps.
I listened to the audiobook, as narrated by Norbert Leo Butz. His voice is very pleasing, and gives the impression that we are listening to the author himself.
March 29, 2019
In A Curious Mind, famed producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Arrested Development, Friday Night Lights, Frost/Nixon, 8 Mile, Splash, and so on...) shares his story of working in Hollywood and building up a career and a name for himself, while highlighting what he considers his biggest secret and greatest attribute: curiosity. Even before he'd become a big name, Grazer had started a series of "curiosity conversations" in which he'd persistently seek out someone he wanted to learn from: big name producers, film stars, scientists, prize winners. Sometimes it might take up to a solid year of persistent badgering to get someone to sit down and talk with him. Sometimes they never would take him up on the request. Sometimes they'd call him out for being unprepared or "full of it" or even walk out on him. Funny enough, those rejections often stuck out and had the most impact in shaping his character. Grazer shares conversations with Princess Di, Michael Jackson, Isaac Asimov, Jonas Salk, Barack Obama, John McCain, George W. Bush, and many, many more. The takeaways from each conversation are small enough that I didn't come away with a sense of how these conversations fill an hour, but it is still interesting to hear how Grazer has distilled various pieces of wit and wisdom. The rest of the time he's talking about his personal story, philosophy and approach to producing. It's a quick read (or audio book, as I consumed it), and a lovely little paean to the power of curiosity - a message I couldn't agree with more.
July 13, 2016
A slight, charming little book of encouragement - basically an article padded out to the length of a (slender) book. Grazer shares lots of fun tales of meeting other famous, accomplished people as part of exercising curiosity, and encourages readers to ask questions, listen to the answers, and generally behave like better, more engaged people for their own benefit.
May 6, 2015
I am not sure what to say about this. The synopsis of this book is this: Be curious about your world, it will lead to good things personally and professionally.
That is a nice sentiment, and also true.
Do we need a whole book devoted to extolling the virtues of one man's personal curiosities? Not really. Especially since Grazer talks in very general rather than specific terms about his actual learnings from the "Curiosity conversions" that he sets up with everyone from Fidel Castro to Oprah.
He mainly just name drops and then talks about how it was so awesome and amazing talking to these people. Um, what's the STORY though. No disrespect to Grazer, but don't journalists basically do this all day long and then produce a piece of writing that tells a story (who, what, where, when, how and most importantly, why should we care)?
I think I must have missed the unifying purpose of all these conversations. Just general interest that serendipitously resulted in a positive impact on some future movie you made, seems like a weak unifying theme.
Anyway. The point is to not go through your day with your head down and eyes closed. Ask questions and interact with the world. That's not a terrible takeaway. I just wish this was a long-ish article and not a whole book
That is a nice sentiment, and also true.
Do we need a whole book devoted to extolling the virtues of one man's personal curiosities? Not really. Especially since Grazer talks in very general rather than specific terms about his actual learnings from the "Curiosity conversions" that he sets up with everyone from Fidel Castro to Oprah.
He mainly just name drops and then talks about how it was so awesome and amazing talking to these people. Um, what's the STORY though. No disrespect to Grazer, but don't journalists basically do this all day long and then produce a piece of writing that tells a story (who, what, where, when, how and most importantly, why should we care)?
I think I must have missed the unifying purpose of all these conversations. Just general interest that serendipitously resulted in a positive impact on some future movie you made, seems like a weak unifying theme.
Anyway. The point is to not go through your day with your head down and eyes closed. Ask questions and interact with the world. That's not a terrible takeaway. I just wish this was a long-ish article and not a whole book
May 29, 2015
Reading this book inspired me to look at the world and people around me in a different way, from a different angle. Look around the corner, there is something interesting in everyone.
In some ways, this was an autobiography of the famous movie and tv producer Brian Grazer. He tells the back story about the birth of some of my favorite movies, most of them directed by Ron Howard. That was fascinating in itself, but those stories are interwoven with Brian's curiosity, and how it led to the life he dreamed of having.
I know a few truly curious people, they ask great questions, annoying questions, sometimes dumb questions, but the difference that I see in my curious friends, and in Brian, is that they can't wait to hear what my answer is to their question. I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is to, first of all, slow down and wonder about something, think about what I really want to know, and THEN form a question that may or may not have an answer I want to hear. LISTEN.
I saw that there is an unauthorized companion workbook on Amazon for about $6. I plan to purchase that and go through this book a second time. Thoroughly enjoyable the first time, and now I want to dig deeper and learn more that I can apply to my life the second time.
In some ways, this was an autobiography of the famous movie and tv producer Brian Grazer. He tells the back story about the birth of some of my favorite movies, most of them directed by Ron Howard. That was fascinating in itself, but those stories are interwoven with Brian's curiosity, and how it led to the life he dreamed of having.
I know a few truly curious people, they ask great questions, annoying questions, sometimes dumb questions, but the difference that I see in my curious friends, and in Brian, is that they can't wait to hear what my answer is to their question. I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is to, first of all, slow down and wonder about something, think about what I really want to know, and THEN form a question that may or may not have an answer I want to hear. LISTEN.
I saw that there is an unauthorized companion workbook on Amazon for about $6. I plan to purchase that and go through this book a second time. Thoroughly enjoyable the first time, and now I want to dig deeper and learn more that I can apply to my life the second time.
September 5, 2017
Apparently Bryan Grazer was never too curious w/r/t the contents of a Thesaurus. I am so sick of the word "curiosity." Anyway.
Rated this two stars instead of one because I did enjoy the sprinkled moviemaking anecdotes, even if those anecdotes were intended to bolster the straw man premise that society doesn't value curiosity to the extent that it should. Oh, and also that curiosity is solely responsible for every good thing to ever happen to anyone anywhere at any point in history, but especially for the multitudinous successes of smug, hacky, mentions-three-times-and-then-again-in-the-supplemental-material-(just-in-case-you'd-forgotten)-that-he-once-flirted-with-Princess-Diana Brian Grazer.
Yeah. He comes off like a truly out-of-touch douchetaco here, which is weird because I decided to read the book despite its silly, awful title and questionable conceit because Grazer was such an endearing guest on WTF with Marc Maron last week. In fact, dude was so good that, even after this painful experience, I still would read his no-frills Hollywood memoirs without hesitation. Please don't make me sift through this all this Psych 101 self-help nonsense next time, okay? Thanks, B.
Rated this two stars instead of one because I did enjoy the sprinkled moviemaking anecdotes, even if those anecdotes were intended to bolster the straw man premise that society doesn't value curiosity to the extent that it should. Oh, and also that curiosity is solely responsible for every good thing to ever happen to anyone anywhere at any point in history, but especially for the multitudinous successes of smug, hacky, mentions-three-times-and-then-again-in-the-supplemental-material-(just-in-case-you'd-forgotten)-that-he-once-flirted-with-Princess-Diana Brian Grazer.
Yeah. He comes off like a truly out-of-touch douchetaco here, which is weird because I decided to read the book despite its silly, awful title and questionable conceit because Grazer was such an endearing guest on WTF with Marc Maron last week. In fact, dude was so good that, even after this painful experience, I still would read his no-frills Hollywood memoirs without hesitation. Please don't make me sift through this all this Psych 101 self-help nonsense next time, okay? Thanks, B.
June 14, 2018
Insatiably curious is a character trait easily applied to any voracious reader. How else would i continuously pour through 300+ pages of a nonfiction book to find the overly complex answer to a question that can be simply, though less intricately, explained in a quick google search. Grazer starts off his book talking about the politics of curiosity and how it is typically seen as a foray against the order of our carefully run society. Sadly, not everyone has the free range to be as overtly curious as him in his project interviewing the noteworthy and famous. The examples Brian Grazer gives are charming and a bit ostentatious at times, but are enjoyable as they go far beyond the curiosity of the mundane that most people experience daily. This book is deeply inspirational to the point of enticing you to push your own boundaries of curiosity.
April 3, 2015
My wife shared this free copy with me. I am mixed minds about a rating. I really liked his views on curiosity and how one can act on it; that gets a 4. With all the talk about the need for "innovation", nobody talks about the need for curiosity being first. We should teach people how to capitalize on it (not necessarily his talkie way; people are not the only thing to be curious about). What I was less thrilled about the text is it became more braggy as it goes on. It has lengthy list of all the fascinating people he had his conversations with; that was a 2 for me, hence a 3 overall. As someone said, it is more of an article one might find in the New Yorker, that had to be fleshed out. Read the first half and you got it.
June 11, 2015
This is more like a TED talk than a book but it is certainly one full of "fun facts." I would have liked to hear more about the actual conversations Brian had over the years than just the concept of the conversations. He does start the book out with several of these which I liked.
Then there is the massive index at the end of the book of people Brian talked to over the years. That was very odd. I do not care so much whom you've talked to as much as what they have said but it did add to the page count.
Then there is the massive index at the end of the book of people Brian talked to over the years. That was very odd. I do not care so much whom you've talked to as much as what they have said but it did add to the page count.
March 18, 2021
The kernel of the book is to be curious through out the life and must have capability to ask good questions. The author is a famous movie maker of Hollywood. He suffered from dyslexia from childhood, however, due to his unquenchable curiosity he got every success in his life. His curiosity helped to converse with innumerous famous personalities of the world.
September 3, 2019
The book started well, but by the time I was halfway through, I had lost all curiosity for this book that was supposed to be about curiosity. Life is too short to finish books that don’t hold my attention. The book became repetitive and held a sort of pretentious tone.
October 26, 2024
This book was a waste of my time. I’m writing this at least a year after reading because every once in a while I think about this book and am amazed at how much willpower was required not to quit reading. This man did a lot of cool things and has a lot of achievements but this whole book was just him name dropping and telling clichéd lessons. Also it was much longer than it needed to be and seemed to never end. I love memoirs and autobiographies but this was not it — spare yourself and skip this one!
April 22, 2021
1.5 rounded down to 1.
This was an easy read from which I actually enjoyed the last 28 pages. Otherwise a pretentious joke that was advertised for something completely different than what it actually is.
This makes me feel bad for all the talented and inspired writers who never get to be published.
This was an easy read from which I actually enjoyed the last 28 pages. Otherwise a pretentious joke that was advertised for something completely different than what it actually is.
This makes me feel bad for all the talented and inspired writers who never get to be published.
September 4, 2015
I am naturally curious. That is one reason I like nonfiction; I enjoy learning! I find it fascinating to listen to the thoughts and ideas of someone with enough gumption to actually write a book--all while I tend my garden.
Therefore when scanning through a list of audio books offered through the public library (free), I downloaded this one.
I knew nothing of big time Hollywood producer Brian Grazer who worked with director Ron Howard to make "A Beautiful Mind", "Apollo 13", "Splash", "24", and "Cinderella Man"--just to name a few.
Truthfully, I'm not generally impressed by Hollywood celebrities.
I do love finding out how an ordinary person creates an extraordinary life.
Grazer begins with the problems he had in elementary school. It must be tough to feel you are a failure in the 3rd grade. He recounts the encouragement he received from his grandmother and how he found strategies to be successful.
Grazer credits his curiosity for his success. It was fun listening to the various tactics used by Grazer to harness his curiosity and improve his situation.
Curiosity is what makes life interesting! Read this book!
Therefore when scanning through a list of audio books offered through the public library (free), I downloaded this one.
I knew nothing of big time Hollywood producer Brian Grazer who worked with director Ron Howard to make "A Beautiful Mind", "Apollo 13", "Splash", "24", and "Cinderella Man"--just to name a few.
Truthfully, I'm not generally impressed by Hollywood celebrities.
I do love finding out how an ordinary person creates an extraordinary life.
Grazer begins with the problems he had in elementary school. It must be tough to feel you are a failure in the 3rd grade. He recounts the encouragement he received from his grandmother and how he found strategies to be successful.
Grazer credits his curiosity for his success. It was fun listening to the various tactics used by Grazer to harness his curiosity and improve his situation.
Curiosity is what makes life interesting! Read this book!
January 29, 2020
Interesting concept but bulk of book felt like bragging experiences and name dropping.
May 5, 2021
Maybe I would have had a different reading experience if the publisher had decided to sell this book for what it really is (or should have been): the memoirs of a Hollywood producer, and all the famous people he has had the chance to meet. Curiosity is here used as an excuse for filling 250 pages. And like a bad movie, as soon as it was over, I had already forgotten about this book.
The only positive thing about it is that it allowed my book club to really discuss the concept of curiosity!
The only positive thing about it is that it allowed my book club to really discuss the concept of curiosity!
August 14, 2015
Brian Grazer makes a case for the importance of curiosity and how that leads to more than just creative collaborations but also to a life filled with unexpected answers to questions that you didn't even know that you had.
I recently had a conversation with a mentor of mine in which we discussed the importance of developing a creative mindset for business as well as personal development. This book helped me to further cement some of those ideas in my mind.
Grazer also discusses the importance of curiosity in establishing and maintaining human connections. Nothing sparks a sense of intimacy more than having another person genuinely interested in the unique embodiment of another. It is when curiosity dies or is not offered that Grazer believes leads to the complete breakdown of relationships. This human connection/curiosity component of the creative process has been a stumbling block for me in the past. The trouble in truly letting my creative juices flow in business or otherwise is the consideration of other people's input in to any project that I may contribute to. I'm not sure if this is a lack of vision on my part, a personality issue, or what.
I have a friend who asked me to work on a project with him a handful of years ago with the thought that it would be "good for me" to broaden my horizons. When I demurred, he called my own creative abilities into question by asking why I couldn't see the possibilities. I took what he said into consideration and put the personal expansion idea onto a back burner of my mind. Recently, we were able to make a start on it. Through following my curiosity, the collaboration led not to the heights of innovation that I had hoped for it but to the inevitable consequence of my investing far too much emotional capital to the project when it required a more insouciant touch. The team began to experience difficulties maintaining the creative endeavor once outside demands reasserted themselves in one form or another. Project communications and morale suffered as a result.
Grazer suggests that a way of creative problem solving is to pose questions to draw out the curiosity in others and through the dissection of these questions, one might not only reveal one's own priorities to the collaboration but also encourage other people's problem solving abilities. If I had to write a question to address this project as it now stands, it would be something like: I can now see how our continuing association may be good for me but can you see any way in which it would be good for you? And, though I don't know the team's response, my answer to that would be: because I feel like you have a lot going on personally and professionally which was what led to my hesitancy in embarking on this project in the first place. Because I know that you have innumerable attachments and responsibilities as things are and yet, knowing all of this, I wouldn't take back what's gone on so far even if I had the chance. Hopefully, we can hammer this out not too far in the future because things without your input are, of necessity, perfectly adequate for day to day operations but my desire is, and always has been, life changing innovation and the indulgence of simply ridiculous levels of curiosity. Brian Grazer believes that not only this is possible but it is necessary for a fulfilled life experience. I do too.
I'll close with poetry. The Irish poet, James Stephens (quoted in this book) said: "Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will; indeed, it has led many people into dangers which mere physical courage would shudder away from, for hunger and love and curiosity are the great impelling forces of life."
I recently had a conversation with a mentor of mine in which we discussed the importance of developing a creative mindset for business as well as personal development. This book helped me to further cement some of those ideas in my mind.
Grazer also discusses the importance of curiosity in establishing and maintaining human connections. Nothing sparks a sense of intimacy more than having another person genuinely interested in the unique embodiment of another. It is when curiosity dies or is not offered that Grazer believes leads to the complete breakdown of relationships. This human connection/curiosity component of the creative process has been a stumbling block for me in the past. The trouble in truly letting my creative juices flow in business or otherwise is the consideration of other people's input in to any project that I may contribute to. I'm not sure if this is a lack of vision on my part, a personality issue, or what.
I have a friend who asked me to work on a project with him a handful of years ago with the thought that it would be "good for me" to broaden my horizons. When I demurred, he called my own creative abilities into question by asking why I couldn't see the possibilities. I took what he said into consideration and put the personal expansion idea onto a back burner of my mind. Recently, we were able to make a start on it. Through following my curiosity, the collaboration led not to the heights of innovation that I had hoped for it but to the inevitable consequence of my investing far too much emotional capital to the project when it required a more insouciant touch. The team began to experience difficulties maintaining the creative endeavor once outside demands reasserted themselves in one form or another. Project communications and morale suffered as a result.
Grazer suggests that a way of creative problem solving is to pose questions to draw out the curiosity in others and through the dissection of these questions, one might not only reveal one's own priorities to the collaboration but also encourage other people's problem solving abilities. If I had to write a question to address this project as it now stands, it would be something like: I can now see how our continuing association may be good for me but can you see any way in which it would be good for you? And, though I don't know the team's response, my answer to that would be: because I feel like you have a lot going on personally and professionally which was what led to my hesitancy in embarking on this project in the first place. Because I know that you have innumerable attachments and responsibilities as things are and yet, knowing all of this, I wouldn't take back what's gone on so far even if I had the chance. Hopefully, we can hammer this out not too far in the future because things without your input are, of necessity, perfectly adequate for day to day operations but my desire is, and always has been, life changing innovation and the indulgence of simply ridiculous levels of curiosity. Brian Grazer believes that not only this is possible but it is necessary for a fulfilled life experience. I do too.
I'll close with poetry. The Irish poet, James Stephens (quoted in this book) said: "Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will; indeed, it has led many people into dangers which mere physical courage would shudder away from, for hunger and love and curiosity are the great impelling forces of life."
June 10, 2016
Brian Grazer is a Hollywood Producer to climbed his way to the top in the traditional American way, by his gumption and bootstraps. However, he identifies the secret weapon to his success as Curiosity. Over the years, Brian has hosted what he dubs "curiosity conversations". He makes appointments with people he finds interesting (it could take years to meet someone!) and asks them about their life, what they've done/do, and how they think. He wants to better understand the world and view the world from other people's eyes-- and you can only do that by asking questions and listening. It's because of these conversations he found the nuggets he and director Ron Howard have used to create Imagine Entertainment. And with this background information they have created films such as Splash and Apollo 13, as well as television shows such as 24 and Arrested Development.
What I enjoyed most about this book was listening to Grazer's journey. Yes, sometimes he comes across as arrogant. And yes, sometimes I found myself asking, "But what questions did you actually ask this person?!" but the stories are fascinating. Grazer certainly would not be where he is today without his innate sense of curiosity. Grazer's first job in the industry was gained by being curious: By eavesdropping on people talking outside and asking questions. Then, he once in the In Crowd of Hollywood, he realized how much people liked to talk about themselves-- so asking questions about how people got where they are, how to achieve great things, and how to think about the world differently helped him discover new opportunities and develop a career.
All in all, a fun and refreshing book. If I was reading it just to learn more about curiosity or how to host a curiosity conversation, well, then I'd probably be frustrated. There's not a lot of detail on what actually happens in these conversations, what questions are asked, or how to even decide who to meet or how to go about meeting them. But there are some wonderful insights to the benefits of curiosity and the way curiosity affects the world. Plus, listening to Grazer's stories and a bit about his life and relationships was quite interesting.
What I enjoyed most about this book was listening to Grazer's journey. Yes, sometimes he comes across as arrogant. And yes, sometimes I found myself asking, "But what questions did you actually ask this person?!" but the stories are fascinating. Grazer certainly would not be where he is today without his innate sense of curiosity. Grazer's first job in the industry was gained by being curious: By eavesdropping on people talking outside and asking questions. Then, he once in the In Crowd of Hollywood, he realized how much people liked to talk about themselves-- so asking questions about how people got where they are, how to achieve great things, and how to think about the world differently helped him discover new opportunities and develop a career.
All in all, a fun and refreshing book. If I was reading it just to learn more about curiosity or how to host a curiosity conversation, well, then I'd probably be frustrated. There's not a lot of detail on what actually happens in these conversations, what questions are asked, or how to even decide who to meet or how to go about meeting them. But there are some wonderful insights to the benefits of curiosity and the way curiosity affects the world. Plus, listening to Grazer's stories and a bit about his life and relationships was quite interesting.
March 14, 2016
Near the end of his book Brian Grazer says that he didn't want this book to be just a re-counting of his conversations with interesting or famous people. The book is about curiosity itself and not his meetings with people (which curiosoity led him to). Ultimately, it's too bad. The initial background information on curiosity is fine and kind of interesting. But, the real treats ARE his conversations with people like Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, and many, many others. Unfortunately, we only get tidbits of these meetings and are then thrown back into his views on curiosity for most of the chapters. It honestly just gets a bit boring...at least for me. There were a few curiosity tidbits along the way that I could take away and apply to my own life, but the best part of the book is the approximately 30 pages near the end of the main text where he gives us a better sampler of just his conversations without the curiosity blah blah. However, when you have to read 230 pages to get there, I wonder if it's all worth it. In the end I gave it a 2 star (Okay) rating because the small parts I found interesting were VERY interesting, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to anyone based on that.
April 10, 2021
Well this was one seriously anticlimactic one. A slightly desperate autobiography yelling 'look at me I'm special' presented under the pretence of a pseudo-intellectual exploration of curiosity: spoiler alert, there's very little actual curiosity explored in this book.
The narrative voice is of an obnoxious self centred guy living the Hollywood life, more of an exercise in self centred exploration of rich-people networking than about curiosity.
Aw and there's a whole chapter about...his hair. Yes, one..chapter...about..his... hair
The only two moments I'd mention as somehow valuable from the whole book: the author's lunch with the Asimovs is the exact moment I was looking forward to the whole book, finally someone is going to see through this guy's self-centrist empty networking masked as 'a pursuit of curiosity' and has the courage and decency to actually say it to his face. And the bit about the making of A Beautiful Life, which was somehow interesting.
In a nutshell, this guy really wanted to talk about his own life and masked it into a book about a concept he doesn't seem to get, nor had much of an interest to do so beyond platitudes.
The narrative voice is of an obnoxious self centred guy living the Hollywood life, more of an exercise in self centred exploration of rich-people networking than about curiosity.
Aw and there's a whole chapter about...his hair. Yes, one..chapter...about..his... hair
The only two moments I'd mention as somehow valuable from the whole book: the author's lunch with the Asimovs is the exact moment I was looking forward to the whole book, finally someone is going to see through this guy's self-centrist empty networking masked as 'a pursuit of curiosity' and has the courage and decency to actually say it to his face. And the bit about the making of A Beautiful Life, which was somehow interesting.
In a nutshell, this guy really wanted to talk about his own life and masked it into a book about a concept he doesn't seem to get, nor had much of an interest to do so beyond platitudes.
December 18, 2019
If you had dinner with Brian Grazer, this book would capture that conversation about who he is, his experience in the entertainment industry, and his advice for success. The advice isn't earth-shattering -- be curious, ask questions, and pay attention to the answers. He methodically sought out to have curious conversations with a diverse group of people (like Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, Jonas Salk, Isaac Asimov, and Andy Warhol). He wanted to meet interesting people and get a sense of who they are. Most often, they weren't as he expected (not the flat persona portrayed in the public). For example, Brian Grazer didn't think that Michael Jackson was a weird person after meeting him. There was much more depth than that, he was someone who struggled with handling fame. These curious conversations exposed him to other fields and sparked ideas and inspirations, which further fueled more curious questions and dialogues.
March 29, 2015
Brian Grazer the highly regarded producer has a vast hunger for knowledge a curious mind.He fulfills his quest for knowledge by meeting&having conversations with people who engage his mind He is in an endless pursuit of knowledge a student of the world&a lucky man who has the credentials that make this elite group of people meet with him & allow him to probe their minds.
September 21, 2020
Brian Grazer is charming, and he has led a very interesting life. He loves to talk to all sorts of people and learn what makes them tick. This has clearly enriched his life, and he wrote this book to encourage others to open themselves up to people. He believes that what worked for him will enrich your life as well.
Of course, once you are an award-winning producer, you do get to talk to renown scientists, politicians and philosophers, so it is a little disingenuous to think we will all benefit in the same way as Mr. Grazer does from curiosity. He explains how, even before he was successful, he had this same approach and, how, in his opinion, it made him successful. I would like to respectfully disagree - from listening to his story, I think it was his willingness not to take "no" for an answer, and his ability to understand how to take advantage of every opportunity he was given, and to be open to possibilities, that made him so successful. So, I suppose what I am saying is that Mr. Grazer is a person to emulate, but I am not sure that his curious mind is the reason why.
This is a completely pleasant book. If you have the time, spend some time with it.
Of course, once you are an award-winning producer, you do get to talk to renown scientists, politicians and philosophers, so it is a little disingenuous to think we will all benefit in the same way as Mr. Grazer does from curiosity. He explains how, even before he was successful, he had this same approach and, how, in his opinion, it made him successful. I would like to respectfully disagree - from listening to his story, I think it was his willingness not to take "no" for an answer, and his ability to understand how to take advantage of every opportunity he was given, and to be open to possibilities, that made him so successful. So, I suppose what I am saying is that Mr. Grazer is a person to emulate, but I am not sure that his curious mind is the reason why.
This is a completely pleasant book. If you have the time, spend some time with it.
August 28, 2015
Is it an autobiography? Kind of but not really. Is it a self-help book? Kind of but not really. Is it a motivational read? Kind of but not really.
When I received this book for my birthday I was immediately intrigued.....nay, curious. And after reading this book I'm finding myself inspired to try Brian Grazer's lifelong technique of "curiosity conversations".
You learn a bit about who Oscar-winning Producer Brian Grazer is, but more importantly - what makes him tick and what makes him unique in a world that almost demands uniqueness.
At the root of it all....Grazer is a curious person. He wants to talk to people and learn from them. And the list of people he's talked to over the years is incredible.
From Michael Jackson to Fidel Castro, Andy Warhol to Barack Obama (before he was POTUS). The list of people spanning any and every industry is stunning. And Grazer has learned something from each and every one of these conversations.
This book examines curiosity and how powerful a tool it's been for Grazer and how it can be a powerful tool for us too. He looks at the types of curiosity, the methods of utilizing curiosity and how it has helped him.
Mixed in his analysis and ideals are stories and anecdotes from his past experiences - spanning over 30 years - of these curiosity conversations.
It's not an understatement to say that Brian Grazer's success can be directly attributed to his curiosity and how he has harnessed it in all aspects of his life.
I enjoyed this book but I think the layout of the read could have been better. It felt a little deconstructed. I would have also liked a few more stories of his experiences as opposed to his opinions, methods or concepts of curiosity.
Like I said, this book made me think...and is still making me think. I'd like to try what Grazer suggests as I do think it can be beneficial and eye-opening.
A fun read with decent takeaway.
When I received this book for my birthday I was immediately intrigued.....nay, curious. And after reading this book I'm finding myself inspired to try Brian Grazer's lifelong technique of "curiosity conversations".
You learn a bit about who Oscar-winning Producer Brian Grazer is, but more importantly - what makes him tick and what makes him unique in a world that almost demands uniqueness.
At the root of it all....Grazer is a curious person. He wants to talk to people and learn from them. And the list of people he's talked to over the years is incredible.
From Michael Jackson to Fidel Castro, Andy Warhol to Barack Obama (before he was POTUS). The list of people spanning any and every industry is stunning. And Grazer has learned something from each and every one of these conversations.
This book examines curiosity and how powerful a tool it's been for Grazer and how it can be a powerful tool for us too. He looks at the types of curiosity, the methods of utilizing curiosity and how it has helped him.
Mixed in his analysis and ideals are stories and anecdotes from his past experiences - spanning over 30 years - of these curiosity conversations.
It's not an understatement to say that Brian Grazer's success can be directly attributed to his curiosity and how he has harnessed it in all aspects of his life.
I enjoyed this book but I think the layout of the read could have been better. It felt a little deconstructed. I would have also liked a few more stories of his experiences as opposed to his opinions, methods or concepts of curiosity.
Like I said, this book made me think...and is still making me think. I'd like to try what Grazer suggests as I do think it can be beneficial and eye-opening.
A fun read with decent takeaway.
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