Cirque du Soleil: The Spark - Igniting the Creative Fire that Lives within Us All (Hardcover)

~ John U. Bacon (Author), Lyn Heward (Creator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For anyone who has ever marveled at the creativity, athleticism and magic of Cirque du Soleil, this book is a jewel that explores the showmanship, challenges and philosophies that have made Cirque an international sensation. Using a fictional narrative, Heward (former president and COO of Cirque's creative content division) and journalist Bacon follow a sports agent named Frank as he seeks the drive and enthusiasm that have faded from his career. Through a chance encounter while in Las Vegas, Frank sees a Cirque du Soleil performance and is enchanted. Before long Frank takes a leave of absence from his job and starts training with Cirque athletes in Montreal while giving the reader a behind-the-scenes look at how the Cirque sensation is created and the underlying philosophy. He gleans lessons on the value of working for a common goal, creating a meaningful experience for customers, using failure as a learning tool and how to reinvent oneself to find life's true path. While the scenarios that Frank encounters often seem too convenient, the book is captivating and offers important lessons that can be applied to many aspects of modern life. (Apr.)
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Review

"An inspiring tale about the power of creativity and the imagination, from Cirque du Soleil, the amazing troupe of performers that “makes nearly every other form of entertainment seem timid, sullen, earthbound.”
–Time --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 135 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385516517
• ISBN-13: 978-0385516518
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #18 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > Circus
  #75 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > By Topic > Creativity

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the few books to discuss what we can ALL learn from the Cirque du Soleil creative process, April 24, 2006

By	K. Corn "reviewer" (Indianapolis,, IN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL® THE SPARK: Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All (Audio CD)

While this book had some minor flaws (I'll discuss those briefly later), it is worth owning, especially since it is one of the few books to truly discuss the creative process of Cirque Du Soleil and how the rest of us can learn from what the performers do every day- the type of risks they take in hopes of creating magic, the beauty and spiritual resonance of their performances.

There is another book out there that explores one man's experiences with one performer and it is also intriquing but this new book reveals more about a wider variety of artists, directors, designers, etc.


And, for all those who've watched and been entranced by a Cirque du Soleil performance...wouldn't we all like to create a little of that magic in our lives? Wouldn't we all like to ignite our own creative fires, even if they come out in different ways, perhaps in writing, perhaps in our work lives or the time we spend with our families or while alone.


One of the main lessons I got from this book is that being fully open as possible to one's imagination, hopes, dreams and aspirations can lead in wondrous directions and affect even the most "practical" or mundane tasks of life. It just takes the willingness to take the risk, to accept failure and setbacks in return for spiritual and emotional growth and lifechanging experiences.

This is more than a book geared to artists and peformers. It truly is for the rest of us. It can change your life.

Having said that, I found myself wanting more, felt myself not quite fully satisfied by this book. I felt some of the sections were a little too pat or formulaic. But these are minor quibbles when the book offers so much and is one of the few books that really explores the Cirque du Soleil creative process. Until a better one comes along, I'd consider this a MUST for anyone wanting to know more about the secrets and techniques of the Cirque du Soleil "spark", a spark that can affect us all.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Such an interesting subject; such a shabby effort, November 26, 2006

By	M. Pahlow (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was chosen as a read for our business book club. I looked forward to it. There is nothing of substance here, nothing about the huge, mutli-million dollar money machine the Cirque has become, not that there is anything wrong with that, as Jerry Seinfeld would say. It starts off well but then seems to turn into a vanity press piece, that seems to have been written by the Cirque PR department. Goofy "plot" about stumbling into a show in Vegas, etc. It's a made-up, silly story connected by sugary moments of sentiment overlaid with thin bits of insight. See the show and wait for a better book on this amazing organization.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy flow and a very insprational aftertaste., November 5, 2006

By	L. M. Messianu "luismi" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A very easy and entertaining book to read that left me inspired, motivated and challenged. I was so touched that I bought copies for all my team members.