This unique volume explores such themes as the political and economic forces that cause immigration; the alienation and uprootedness that often follow relocation; and the difficult questions of citizenship and assimilation.
#146154 in Books Daniel J Boorstin 1985-02-12 1985-02-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.30 x 5.40l; 1.21 #File Name: 0394726251768 pagesScienceFaithKnowledgeHumanityCivilization
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Daniel Borsten is perhaps one of the greatest presenters of the history of man's struggle to knowBy KimbleDaniel Borsten is perhaps one of the greatest presenters of the history of man's struggle to know; to think; to seek; to create and to understand both his historical past and his present state. He doesn't read like some fusty old historian; but often as a romance novelist. He is just that close to his subject.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Surprisingly enjoyable!By My 2 centsWe bought this as a gift for a family member at my husband's urging. He's an English professor and I was afraid it might be a bit dense but it is now on my reading list. I'm enjoying it immensely. It is endlessly fascinating and written in a style that flows from the page. It has given me insight into some really basic things; such as time; mankind's history of keeping track of time. That subject alone covers science; culture; the influence of the environment and religion. I've just started reading it and know it isn't a book I'm going to just glide through but I will certainly finish it. As my husband said; it is a liberal arts education in one book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful adventureBy Guillermo MaynezI agree with other reviewers here who say that this book should be used in classes; instead of the boring; stiff and uninformative bricks we are given in school. Boorstin; an erudite man if there is one; has a unique skill to deliver complex stories in a most readable and interesting way; and probably the secret lies in that he gives us the human dimension. His book is centered on the persons who made all these discoveries; not on the discoveries themselves; and that makes it all the more appealing.I had read his book "The Creators" (another must-read focused on art) and I think the same element is present. In "The Discoverers"; Boorstin takes us by the hand and guides us through the history of Man's search for knowledge. And it is a romp. The cast of characters is as varied as humanity itself; from crazy madmen to admirable heroes of knowledge. Among the ones I remember best: Galileo was a great guy; I would have loved to meet him; Newton not; he was not a nice guy (and I couldn't understand any of his thoughts anyway); Paracelsus was a total whacko; Columbus was admirable in his obstination; Linnaeus was great too; but the guy who discovered metabolism was the craziest of them all. Just imagine a guy weighing his body before and after meals; and then weighing... ugh; his excrements to measure the difference. Thank God somebody did it; but it sounds awful.Read this book and you will learn a lot more than in three years of school.
