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The Gift

How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World

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The Gift

By: Lewis Hyde
Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby
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A modern classic cherished by many of the greatest artists of our time, The Gift is a brilliant, life-changing defense of the value of creative labor.

Drawing on examples from folklore and literature, history and tribal customs, economics and modern copyright law, Lewis Hyde demonstrates how our society - governed by the marketplace - is poorly equipped to determine the worth of artists’ work. He shows us that another way is possible: the alternative economy of the gift, which allows creations and ideas to circulate freely, rather than hoarding them as commodities.

Illuminating and transformative, The Gift is a triumph of originality and insight - an essential audiobook for anyone who has ever given or received a work of art.

©1983 by W. Lewis Hyde. Preface © 2019 by W. Lewis Hyde. Afterword © 2007 by W. Lewis Hyde (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing Anthropology Art Creativity History & Criticism Personal Development Well-being Essentials Capitalism

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Reread this book via Audible and it felt easier to absorb. Such a great reminder of where we are and where were going. Translates beyond arts to Non-Profits and other service orgs too.

a great reminder

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Lewis Hyde is a deeply poetic spirit grappling with art and its complex anthropological, political, philosophical and economic histories so clearly and compassionately that I felt a Zen slap of awakening as took in this brilliant series of insightful connections. Thank you Lewis, I am changed, grateful and moved to evangelize about this powerful work. A gift indeed.

“The Gift” is itself a gift!

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The main thesis on the gift economy is superb. Even more so as we are awash in the crass money driven values of the social media economy.

The performance of the reading is very good.

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Not just for artists, writers and musicians, but anyone that works with a passion outside of what is easily commodified. Teaching, guiding, community, connection, sharing, appreciation, family, spirituality, nature, parks, and everything that isn’t a transactional relationship holds value in this economic model. Who might hate this book? Perhaps the extremely independent that avoids connection and lives in transactional relationships, shallow relationships, avoidant of emotion and interdependence. Ayn Rand enthusiasts, they might hate this book or be pulled to change, because it shows the world that they are missing and fear. A world more important than their own individualism. Framed in an alternative economy of giving and reciprocating, this book is not just about material things, but what we do with our energy and how it creates bonds individually, locally and socially in a transcendental world. Value beyond capitalism.

A good read that will be held close to the heart, if you got one.

Must read for anyone looking for more than capitalism in life.

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This was a deep dive into a very narrow and focused topic, and if you want to think more intentionally about the value of your work as well as any labor you put into passion projects of any kind… this is for you.

Revised edition of an already vast treatment

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The first hour of this book was interesting. The last chapter was a good recap. The middle 11.5 hours was a painfully belabored treatise on poetic inspiration. I got to a point that I thought to myself "If he mentions or quotes Whitman one more time I am going to kill myself". Don't waste your time.

A 2 hour book crammed into 13.5 hours.

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