A Curious Mind’s Back-of-book Description:

From Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer and acclaimed business journalist Charles Fishman comes a brilliantly entertaining peek into the weekly “curiosity conversations” that have inspired Grazer to create some of America’s favorite and iconic movies and television shows – from 24 to A Beautiful Mind.

For decades film and TV producer Brian Grazer has scheduled a weekly “curiosity conversation” with an accomplished stranger. From scientists to spies and adventurers to business leaders, Grazer has met with anyone willing to answer his questions for a few hours. These informal discussions sparked the creative inspiration behind many of Grazer’s movies and TV shows, including Splash, 24, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Arrested Development, 8 Mile, J. Edgar, and many others.

A Curious Mind is a brilliantly entertaining, fascinating, and inspiring homage to the power of inquisitiveness and the ways in which it deepens and improves us. Whether you’re looking to improve your management style at work or you want to become a better romantic partner, this book – and its lessons on the power of curiosity – can change your life.

My Thoughts

I came across A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazer when I was perusing my local book store, gift certificate in hand.  It was right about the time I had decided to add more non-fiction to my reading list, and I really liked the title. I didn’t realize it when I picked it up, but Brian Grazer is a movie producer, responsible for a lot of great movies that we’ve all seen and love.

This book is basically story after story of the people he’s met and the conversations he’s had with them, as well as his overall life approach of using curiosity as a means to get you in the door and to discover new movie ideas. If was interesting, for the most part.

And there were definitely a lot of great quotes as well as a ton of little pearls of wisdom. I do think he used the word ‘curiosity’ too many times, it got a little annoying. Personally, I found myself getting bored with it and anxious to reach the end.

However, I think if you are someone who loves learning about people, especially movie producers, then I think you could find a lot of value in A Curious Mind.

Favorite Quotes From A Curious Mind:

“We are all trapped in our own way of thinking, trapped in our own way of relating to people. We get so used to seeing the world our way that we come to think that the world is the way we see it.”

 

“You can’t get anything done trying to absorb and neutralize everyone else’s criticisms.”  

 

“Curiosity—asking questions—isn’t just a way of understanding the world. It’s a way of changing it.”

Overall I’d give A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life 3 stars. Worth the read but not at the top of the list – unless of course you’re an aspiring movie producer, or a big fan of Brian Grazer’s work specifically.

Be sure to check out the great pin-able quotes below!