Self-Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians

Self-Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians, by Tara Isabella Burton, is a fun and fascinating read whether you're here for the larger historical/sociological argument or simply the biographical sketches of those highlighted throughout this account.

My interest was mainly the big picture, seeing how we as humans have changed in the ways we view ourselves and the world. I expected some of the accounts but was intrigued by many of the ones that were entirely new to me. The larger idea, from collective and religious to more individualistic and, well, still religious but placing ourselves in the center, is not new. What this book does so well is trace that progression (digression?) in a narrative that helps to answer, show more or at least speculate about, the reasons.

Some who might not really be interested in the historical change but more in how and why we are where we are may find themselves preferring the biographical sketches than the arguments linking them. That is understandable, and the book offers enough of that to keep those readers happy, though it appears the interest area may differ. I, for instance, found the people further back in history more interesting, theirs were creative in a way that differs from the "creativity" of those simply modifying what has already been done. But many readers prefer staying in their comfort zone and prefer the more recent stories. Either way, there is plenty here.

This is the kind of book that could easily please someone considering an area of study, or information for a present area of study, as well as the popular reader who just wants to know a little more about how we have become a society not so much of people but of brands.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less