The Creative Act cover art

The Creative Act

A Way of Being

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The Creative Act

By: Rick Rubin
Narrated by: Rick Rubin
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About this listen

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEE FOR BEST AUDIOBOOK

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FOYLES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable.

Over the years, as he has thought deeply about where creativity comes from and where it doesn't, he has learned that being an artist isn't about your specific output; it's about your relationship to the world. Creativity has a place in everyone's life, and everyone can make that place larger. In fact, there are few more important responsibilities.

The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distils the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime's work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments - and lifetimes - of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us.

©2023 Rick Rubin (P)2023 Canongate Books
Consciousness & Thought Creativity Personal Development Philosophy Inspiring

Critic Reviews

"You'll probably read this extraordinary book four times. The first time, you'll gobble it up. The second time, you'll savour it. The third time, you'll take notes in the margins. But the fourth time, the fourth time it will be part of you as you create the work you were ready to ship." (Seth Godin)

All stars
Most relevant  
My Bible - probably for the next decade. Like listening to the voice of god. I love this man.

Inspiring beyond words.

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Slow down, ignore the noise and zone into your inner voice. The contents of this book, Rick’s meditative wisdom and smooth deep delivery is like sitting under a palm tree on a quite beach. Loved it and will listen again 👍🏻👍🏻

This book is noise canceling headphones for you soul

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Rick delivers a great performance of some sound advice. A few takeaway quotes and gems heavily outweighing any dull moments

Great listen.

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Loved it and will listen again, for sure! one of those books to keep handy, always.

So good!

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Listened 7 times over already!!!!!
So packed with wisdom. Ric’s voice emanates peace and clarity which makes the whole experience of drinking in the rich wisdom an absolute delight.

BEST book on Audible.

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Absolutely loved this book! Hit a bit of funk lately on the creative front and this inspired me to get back into writing songs again. Brilliant!

Inspiring!

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Helpful, inspiring, interesting, Incredibly concise. Will be coming back to this one again and again. The many talking points are great for inspo

Amazing book

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I would happily listen to this book again. The message is succinct and motivating.

inspiring and almost meditative

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great book would recommend for anyone artist or not it feels like a good book on how to just be

A++ WOULD BANG

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I read the book and listened to the ebook. Creativity is such a subjective topic. I feel the way Rick granularly goes through each stage is amazing. I really got a lot of takeaways from this. Congratulations on writing a fantastic book!

Fantastic Book

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