The author speaks/writes with an arrogance that is somewhat off-putting. Because he renders a personal opinion, parts of the book are more editorial than historical leading the reader to question the authenticity and completeness of the research. All that said simply as a warning to readers to consume this volume with eyes wide open. It was a wonderful trip down the memory lane of my education. I took several courses in art history and more in literature as I traveled my way through a liberal arts education. This book caused me to pull out those books and re-read sections and look at photos of the works he discussed. For that it was worth it. ( )

This is an entertaining and insightful book. Paul Johnson overviews the highly varied ways in which a series of geniuses -- and perhaps non-geniuses -- have handled the act of creation. Johnson's style is erudite yet highly accessible, and his remarkably broad background in literature, history and the fine arts qualifies him like few others to attack such a grandly sweeping topic.

Creators is Johnson's counterpoint to Intellectuals, his amusing but incendiary takedown of some of recent history's self-proclaimed braniacs. This is a much more constructive and indeed often beautiful and moving work.

The essays on Durer, Tiffany and Balenciaga were particularly good, I thought, and I found the penultimate chapter, which compares Picasso and Walt Disney, disarmingly funny and apt.

Highly recommended. ( )