Vicki’s Pick (Guest Reviewer)
January 2023
The Rise
Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery
Sarah Lewis
Simon & Schuster, March 2015
From celebrated art historian, curator, and teacher Sarah Lewis, a fascinating examination of how our most iconic creative endeavors—from innovation to the arts—are not achievements but conversions, corrections after failed attempts. —Simon & Schuster
Perhaps this is one of the most influential & relevant non-fiction (but easy reading) books I have read in decades.
Researching broadly from parenting to extreme sports & scientific Nobel Prize winners, Sarah Lewis writes about how “failure” supports & motivates us to achieve our greatest successes in whatever endeavor we choose.
From the parent who asks his children (with the excitement we associate with success) what their “near misses/failures” were that day to Andre Geim (Nobel Prize recipient) who stated that the way to win a Nobel is to first win the Ig Nobel Prize. (The Ig Nobel is a sort of “roasting” of the scientist with the most spectacular “failure” of the year.)
An amazing & insightful read!
Enjoy!