The Seekers: The Story of Man's Continuing Quest

Written by Daniel J. Boorstin

Narrated by Denis deBoisblanc

A New York Times Notable Book of the YearFrom the author of The Discoverers and The Creators, an incomparable history of man's essential questions: quot;Who are we?quot; and quot;Why are we here?quot;

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Jul 31, 2008
• ISBN: 9781598878424

Reviews for The Seekers

[davidpwithun_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What makes this book unique (and an uniquely excellent read) from among the many intellectual histories out there is the perspective from which Boorstin approaches his subjects and the aspect of his various subjects which he focuses on. Rather than looking, as most intellectual histories do, at what the conclusions, ideas, and dogmas of their various subjects are, Boorstin instead examines the act of seeking itself. In the process, he introduces us to the means of seeking answers to life's greatest questions as they have been applied by some of the greatest seekers of history, from biblical figures like Job to Greek philosophers like Plato to modern day scientists like Albert Einstein. Boorstin's work is a masterpiece of appreciation for the amazing capacities of the human mind and the restless nature of the human spirit. His book is a paean to humanity.

[carterchristian1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Had I only had this book when I was first introduced to the "seekers" described here, even starting with those early years when we were first learning about the Bible. I can't believe I spent an entire year in high school on Virgil (Dido is the only thing I remember...woman scorned was a topic to grab a teenage girl) with no concept of the context.But then, I probably would not have appreciated this. Now at an advanced age I can go back and put my education together with this excellent book. Everyone should read it, really.As one Amazon reviewer observed"This brief history of western seeking will, I believe, provide me with a roadmap that will inform my reading selections for years to come. "

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Really good at giving a brief look at the philosophy of those from the Classical period up through the Enlightenment. After that, he kind of lost me. As the philosophy became more complicated, so did the explanation. And he didn't really even try on Existentialism. Overall, very good book with concise to-the-point information on philosophy and philosophers throughout the ages.