Boorstin’s Biased
“History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Winston Churchill. What Churchill means in this statement is if he’s the one writing the history then he can state the cold hard facts, but also he can input his opinion on the matter whether it’s a good one or a bad one. The Discovers by Daniel Boorstin is not your typical history book. In the book, Boorstin strives to answer the why instead of just what or who. After reading to Chapter 33 in The Discoverers, I’ve made a discovery that I’m sure you all have too. The Discoverers is sprinkled with Boorstin’s own biased beliefs. The definition of biased is: having or showing prejudice. How can any person write a book without showing a little bias then? Boorstin is definitely inclined to exert his own opinion, but that makes The Discoverers not just a factual book. It is Boorstin’s view of the story of discoveries in the world. One example of Boorstin’s opinion is stated in chapter 16. In chapter 16, the story is told of the ongoing Crusades, missionary diplomats, and the land conquering Mongols. “If Christian kings and the Pope himself had been willing to join in such an alliance (with the Mongols), they might have shared the glory and the profit of the conquest of the Muslim Turks, and eventually have accomplished the aims of the Christian Crusades with pagan help. But instead of postponing conversion until after worldly victory, they determined to ally only fellow Christians, and so spent themselves in futile efforts to convert the Khans before joining them as allies. This mistake of judgement decisively shaped the future of much of Asia.” Boorstin …show more content…
Overall, The Discoverers has done an excellent job delivering that purpose. Yes, Boorstin does imply his bias in his writings, but that’s what makes this book unique. It’s not just a boring history book listing off facts; it’s a chronological story of man’s
“History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Winston Churchill. What Churchill means in this statement is if he’s the one writing the history then he can state the cold hard facts, but also he can input his opinion on the matter whether it’s a good one or a bad one. The Discovers by Daniel Boorstin is not your typical history book. In the book, Boorstin strives to answer the why instead of just what or who. After reading to Chapter 33 in The Discoverers, I’ve made a discovery that I’m sure you all have too. The Discoverers is sprinkled with Boorstin’s own biased beliefs. The definition of biased is: having or showing prejudice. How can any person write a book without showing a little bias then? Boorstin is definitely inclined to exert his own opinion, but that makes The Discoverers not just a factual book. It is Boorstin’s view of the story of discoveries in the world. One example of Boorstin’s opinion is stated in chapter 16. In chapter 16, the story is told of the ongoing Crusades, missionary diplomats, and the land conquering Mongols. “If Christian kings and the Pope himself had been willing to join in such an alliance (with the Mongols), they might have shared the glory and the profit of the conquest of the Muslim Turks, and eventually have accomplished the aims of the Christian Crusades with pagan help. But instead of postponing conversion until after worldly victory, they determined to ally only fellow Christians, and so spent themselves in futile efforts to convert the Khans before joining them as allies. This mistake of judgement decisively shaped the future of much of Asia.” Boorstin …show more content…
Overall, The Discoverers has done an excellent job delivering that purpose. Yes, Boorstin does imply his bias in his writings, but that’s what makes this book unique. It’s not just a boring history book listing off facts; it’s a chronological story of man’s