The Fountain Books : #1 - The Discoverers - Daniel J. Boorstin
Fountain: ...a point of origin, a spring, especially the source of a stream,... a reservoir containing a supply that can be siphoned off as needed...
“The Fountain Books” is a new series of posts where we’ll present books that we met in our life and never put away.
Beyond the obvious choice, holy books of faith or famous secular books of wisdom, that do not need to be further pointed out, the presented books will be diverse, novels or essays, fiction, guides, dictionaries, etc… Their common feature being that we found them to be a source of continuous knowledge, inspiration, guidance, etc... like a spring always there, where we can drink when thirsty.
We hope that these books will be similarly enlightening discoveries for you.
Speaking of discoveries… we are happy to start by the Boorstin’s!
#1 - THE DISCOVERERS by Daniel J. BOORSTIN
This is the very book that sparked the idea of this “Fountain Books” series.
In a recent interview of Philippe Stark, the famous French designer, a journalist asked him what book was his favorite. Stark answered that “The Discoverers” was more than a bed table book, it was the one he kept reading for years. He repeatedly claimed that it was the book he learned the most in his life (e.g., Le Figaro20 Nov 2018, in French).
I met first this book a long time ago after it was recommended by the now deceased Michel Polac, controversial talk show anchorman in the 80s in French TV, with a sulfurous reputation, but an impeccable taste in literature. I remember him saying something like “you’ll read it, and you’ll keep it. This book will be a companion forever”. So I bought it, and today, maybe 30 years later, it is still there, within reach beside my desk, worn and torn, but attractive as ever.
It is not a compilation of recipes or guidelines for a successful life or creative achievements. It is meaningful by the way it tells the story of human development since prehistoric times, thru the lives of those who dreamed and dared! The geometers, philosophers, geographers, explorers, mathematicians, scientists… the alchemists becoming chemists,… the astrologists later astronomers then astrophysicists, … the biologists, pharmacists, doctors, surgeons, historians, demographers, economists, psychiatrists, anthropologists,… and simply curious humans whose lights contributed, candle by candle, to illuminate piece by piece and reveal our universe.
It is not a cold encyclopedia, but a tale of flesh and blood, hope and despair, betrayal, treachery, altruism, and sacrifice. The greatest adventure of humanity.
After a prosperous academic career as a historian, Daniel J. Boorstin spent 12 years as the Librarian of the United States Congress, the head of the largest universal library in the word. From this modern Alexandria’s Library, he was in the center of all available knowledge and in the best possible position to become the reporter of this epic journey.
The structure of “The Discoverers” is cleverly chronological and thematic at the same time, so it is effortless to navigate inside. Therefore, it is not a book to read linearly from the first to last page. Instead, imagine you are an explorer, strolling in a faraway lost city, with a park full of baroque architecture, magnificent sculptures, beautiful temples, majestic monuments,… Your visit does not follow a predefined plan, but everywhere, you discover new treasures, learn new secrets, reveal new answers,… and further questions. You must enjoy this book like a promenade in the Garden of Knowledge.
And believe me, if you happen to visit it once, you will come back cruising in, again and again!
E.G.
P.S.: Daniel J. Boorstin wrote two other books, to complete his Knowledge Trilogy: “The Creators” and “The Seekers”.
“The Discoverers - A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself” by Daniel J. Boorstin - Random House - 1983
In French: “Les Découvreurs” par Daniel J. Boorstin - Collection Bouquins (Robert Laffond) - 1983