This is the 55th of a series of titles selected by writer Yann Martel to provide to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to encourage an appreciation of the arts and literature in particular in the PM, and to also help him with his stillness and thoughtfulness. Martel has regularly sent books from a wide range of literary traditions to Harper, and has devoted a Web site to the book list and his kind and considered covering letters with each volume. (See http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.com.)

While the subtitle suggests that this book examines creativity and artistry, it really focuses on how the giving of one’s creativity as a gift informs societies, cultures and economies. In a lot of respects, Hyde’s book predicted the current download/open source culture.