What do you think?
Rate this book
Making Messiah: How Handel Got His Mojo Back and Created a Masterpiece
From Freakonomics Radio host Stephen Dubner comes an immersive, insightful audio documentary tracing the creation and enduring legacy of George Frideric Handel's Messiah, which has been called the greatest piece of participatory music ever created.
In 2020, Stephen Dubner fell madly in love with a piece of music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling with the uncertainty and isolation of the moment, he attended a Christmas concert and really heard Handel's Messiah for the very first time.
Making Messiah takes listeners on an epic journey through the life of composer George Frideric Handel and the creation of his iconic oratorio. Dubner travels to Fishamble Street in Dublin, where the very first performance of Messiah took place in 1742; to London, where Handel composed operas commissioned by the royal family; and to many modern institutions that commemorate and celebrate Handel’s work. Interviewing authors, scholars, and musicians, he explores Handel's influences and finds out how Messiah grapples with the ideas of its era while continuing to have a deep impact on modern culture. Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Ultimately, Dubner argues, Messiah is about hope — the piece is a doorway to a world of possibility, and we can't help but make it our own.
Please Making Messiah was first released as a podcast series on Freakonomics Radio.
In 2020, Stephen Dubner fell madly in love with a piece of music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling with the uncertainty and isolation of the moment, he attended a Christmas concert and really heard Handel's Messiah for the very first time.
Making Messiah takes listeners on an epic journey through the life of composer George Frideric Handel and the creation of his iconic oratorio. Dubner travels to Fishamble Street in Dublin, where the very first performance of Messiah took place in 1742; to London, where Handel composed operas commissioned by the royal family; and to many modern institutions that commemorate and celebrate Handel’s work. Interviewing authors, scholars, and musicians, he explores Handel's influences and finds out how Messiah grapples with the ideas of its era while continuing to have a deep impact on modern culture. Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Ultimately, Dubner argues, Messiah is about hope — the piece is a doorway to a world of possibility, and we can't help but make it our own.
Please Making Messiah was first released as a podcast series on Freakonomics Radio.
Audible Audio
Published March 24, 2026
About the author
Stephen J. Dubner
30 books1,292 followersStephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and TV and radio personality. In addition to Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics, his books include Turbulent Souls Choosing My Religion, Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper, and the children’s book The Boy With Two Belly Buttons. His journalism has been published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Time, and has been anthologized in The Best American Sports Writing, The Best American Crime Writing, and elsewhere. He has taught English at Columbia University (while receiving an M.F.A. there), played in a rock band (which started at Appalachian State University, where he was an undergrad, and was later signed to Arista Records), and, as a writer, was first published at the age of 11, in Highlights for Children. He lives in New York with his wife, the documentary photographer Ellen Binder, and their children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 19, 2026
This audiobook is produced in a podcast format, which is an effective way to present this story, particularly when it pertains to one of the most renowned oratorios, “Messiah,” composed by one of the most celebrated musicians of all time, George Frideric Handel.
Regrettably, the audiobook fails to capture the essence of this remarkable musical composition. While it is undeniable that “Messiah” is explicitly Christian, the book provides perspectives from atheists, Jews, and other non-followers of Christ. Although they generally expressed positive sentiments towards the work and Handel himself, these unbelievers were unable to perceive the grandeur and transcendence of Christ that Handel intended to communicate. Although they acknowledge the stirring impact of the music on the hearts of its listeners, the book’s focus remains superficial.
Furthermore, contemporary “intellectuals” (i.e., the interviewees in the book) cannot simply discuss history as objective facts. Frustratingly, they must incorporate their modern interpretations and biases to speculate on Handel. One of them suggested Handel’s potential homosexuality due to his lifelong singlehood. Another also speculated that he was an anti-Semite, presumably because he was German. What is the purpose of including these speculations when there is so much beauty to be discussed in the music, lyrics, and musicians who created it?
Regrettably, the audiobook fails to capture the essence of this remarkable musical composition. While it is undeniable that “Messiah” is explicitly Christian, the book provides perspectives from atheists, Jews, and other non-followers of Christ. Although they generally expressed positive sentiments towards the work and Handel himself, these unbelievers were unable to perceive the grandeur and transcendence of Christ that Handel intended to communicate. Although they acknowledge the stirring impact of the music on the hearts of its listeners, the book’s focus remains superficial.
Furthermore, contemporary “intellectuals” (i.e., the interviewees in the book) cannot simply discuss history as objective facts. Frustratingly, they must incorporate their modern interpretations and biases to speculate on Handel. One of them suggested Handel’s potential homosexuality due to his lifelong singlehood. Another also speculated that he was an anti-Semite, presumably because he was German. What is the purpose of including these speculations when there is so much beauty to be discussed in the music, lyrics, and musicians who created it?
April 2, 2026
It's strange that this podcast-style work is an audiobook, but I'm going with it.
This was beautifully produced, and it gave some good information about Handel.
Sadly, it does get bogged down by short sections theorizing on Handel's sexuality and the potential antisemitism of the piece. (Regarding the latter, I cannot see it.)
Most of those interviewed missed the sheer beauty of the word of God being sung to such excellent music. Or they interpreted the words in a wordly manner. Yet, we know that God's word does not return to Him void. It accomplishes what He wills. What a magnificent truth. God's word is being shared again and again, season after season, with Handel's amazing music - that's something to rejoice over.
Despite my caveats, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. 5 stars.
This was beautifully produced, and it gave some good information about Handel.
Sadly, it does get bogged down by short sections theorizing on Handel's sexuality and the potential antisemitism of the piece. (Regarding the latter, I cannot see it.)
Most of those interviewed missed the sheer beauty of the word of God being sung to such excellent music. Or they interpreted the words in a wordly manner. Yet, we know that God's word does not return to Him void. It accomplishes what He wills. What a magnificent truth. God's word is being shared again and again, season after season, with Handel's amazing music - that's something to rejoice over.
Despite my caveats, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews