The Grace of Great Things: Creativity and Innovation

by Robert Grudin

Book Overview

Drawing his examples from art and science, from history and the present day, Grudin sets out to demonstrate that creativity, although it may begin in pain, is akin to play and passion, and that it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395588685
• ISBN13: 9780395588680
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

For the Creative Humanist

The topic sentence of this book is "We see human civilization as having risen to eminence among other species through political, scientific, and technological innnovation." This sets the tone for a humanistic course the the forms of creativity through history. For someone who comes from a technology background (read: geek), this book was an unexpected suprise. It gave a social context to the value system that the technologist depends on, and the legacy that supports the innovator of today.I was inspired me over and over again. I kept on finding gems, and thinking "that's a creative way to get unstuck." For something that has so many references, it's balanced well with the discourse. I've got a reading list now, and a few biographies to read.There was a spiritual quality to this book, grounded in history and human experience. In comes through in the sense of reflection, and the connection to great humanists through time.A note of caution. The wordsmithing in this book is tight. While not a bad thing, that may lesson the appeal of this book for some. Also, the title doesn't exactly reasonate, since the theme of "grace" is never dealt with, and while Creativity is one of the great natures, it seems a stretch.Had I not met the author in person, I would have never considered reading this book; Now, I wonder if it would be possible to take a class from him.If you are looking for an exceptional find, this is one.

"Origins and Practice of Innovation Through Creativity"

This book is a study of creativity in the social and ethical contexts, and of creativity as a result of innovation. It can also be used as a guide book for leading a life promoting innovation through creativity.The book has three distinct but closely related parts: The Creative Mind, The Ethics of Creativity and The Politics of Innovation, explaining how the building blocks of creativity - inspiration, imagination, sense of beauty, integrity, persistence, vision and learning - all lead to innovation. While one could use this as a resource for inspiration and as a guidebook for practicing and promoting creativity in everyday life, the author makes no efforts to sell the book as such. Instead, he has opted for a conversational style that aids critical reading, and inspires further thinking. This helps to frequently stop and think about the material, and to inquire the logic. The language is very crisp and to the point. The editing is very sharp. One could read the book just for the anecdotes, both historic and the contemporary ones, which are plentiful in the book. The notes at the end is really an annotated bibliography, which can also be very useful. This is a great antidote for the current day world where success is often wrongly equated with "fast", "immediate", "creating powerpoint slides", ... and the likes; where, the examination of things is becoming increasingly superficial, and the critical evaluations are frequently regarded as a hindrance to "productivity", and where the incompetence is frequently promoted for the resulting political expediencies. Dr Grudin explains why some people despise the concept of "working the system" to your advantage, and why they often take routes that look more elaborate and longer. He explains what is it that some people who get paid for forty-hours but seem to be always at work, are seeking and what drives them to voluntarily opt for such practices of hardwork and dedication. He explains why some people seem to take so much interest in every project around them, and seem to bounce back to success and happiness, from every failure they encounter. And, finally, he convinces us how creative work, even at the modest levels, can be the key to happiness.By not casting its title with something like "N-practices of super-creative people" or something akin to that, and instead giving it the current title, and thus choosing honesty and class over marketing, Dr Grudin has put to practice what he preaches in the book. But if that makes you not consider this book, it's your loss!A great baedeker for people and organizations wanting to promote creativity, and through creativity, innovation.

truly inspiring accessible philosophy

Robert Grudin is one of my favorite writers, consistently presenting deep topics, such as the meaning of creativity and the dangers in liberalism that even liberals must eventually admit. He writes with a clarity and wit that is all to rare these days, and this is his best book.

A well of inspiration -- a resource for life!

My twin brother Peter and I read this book aloud to eachother on a car trip from Boston to CT. -- and back again. We couldn't stop til we were finished reading the entire book. It felt as though we were being charged with electricity with every turn of the page. Writers, artists and animators ourselves, we value this kind of recharge! Kudos to Robert Grudin for one of the world's most useful books!

I have never been SO enlightened in SO FEW pages.....

Robert Grudin gave me a gift in this book. His insight into the creative process gave me what I needed to change careers in my mid-forties. He looks at innovation vs. creative thought and shows how "great things" get "done. I refer to it often, particularly the "Diplomacy of Invention". Thanks Robert. His "Time and the Art of Living" is also very insightful.