Product Description
The author of Original Blessing explores how the highest communion with the Divine can be found right at our fingertips in the simplest expressions of human creativity.

Drawn from a sermon that has electrified listeners, here is a concise, powerful meditation on the nature of creativity from Episcopal priest and radical theologian Matthew Fox.

Creativity is Fox at his most dynamic: It is immensely practical and leaves the reader with a message to put into action in life. Fox tantalizingly suggests that the most prayerful, most spiritually powerful act a person can undertake is to create, at his or her own level, with a consciousness of the place from which that gift arises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must have for creativity fans.
If you are an artist or studying any aspect of creativity... this book is a must have.
I took it with me on a trip to Bali and brought the highlighter on the plane to select good sections.
Practically half the book was highlighted as there were so many juicy well put quotes about the power of creativity.
There is certainly a spiritual standpoint at the foundation (he is a previous priest after all) but it is well rounded in it's perspectives and very passionate. If anything, I would almost say overstated.

Great Read for Creativity Lovers!

... Read more

Product Description
THIS STORY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE INDIGO OCEAN DREAMS AUDIO/CD. Children love to visualize, or imagine, filling their bodies with the colors of the rainbow. Children join the sea child and turtle as they take a bubble ride into the world of relaxation. Visualization, also known as creative imagery, can lower stress, anxiety, and anger. It can have a positive impact on your child's health, creativity, and performance. It can be used to decrease pain and anger. The colorful imagery in this story quiets the mind and relaxes the body so your child can manage stress and fall asleep peacefully. This is one of four stories featured on the Indigo Ocean Dreams CD along with Angry Octopus, Sea Otter Cove, and Affirmation Weaver. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great resource for hospitalized children!
As a music therapist in a children's hospital, I use this book (as well as the entire series) regularly for children (usually ages 3-10) dealing with chronic or acute pain. It's such a great visual representation for the kids learning about otherwise complex relaxation concepts like progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, and guided imagery. It's been a great way to provide procedural support to younger children and long term education so pain can be managed more effectively and with less pharmaceutical support at home. The illustrations and easy to understand story help my kids visualize appropriate responses to stress. What a great resource!

order more...
The relaxation techniques are great and my husband (the wife purchased under his name) said to order more by this author to read with our 7 year old daughter.She really loves them and even shared Bubble Riding with her Daisy troop as a good book for them to read.

A beautiful and inspired book
After owning this book for only a week, I caught my four year old daughter reciting it to herself from memory. It is a perfect book for relaxation. It employs a dynamic combination of visual, emotional, and sensory images.

Great relaxation/guided imagery tool.
I work at a Children's hospital as a Certified Child Life Specialist. I work in the E.R where there are lots of tests and procedures done on children. Our profession uses many types of distraction and calming methods to help these children cope. The one thing that we were missing were Lori Lite's books! I wanted some books that I, and the rest of the staff, could use as a tool to help kids relax and relieve anxiety caused by the hospital. I wanted something that helped "take them away to a safer place" from the anxious environment of an E.R. When I came across these books, it was perfect, just what I was looking for! Parents and kids have found them very useful to help get them through these scary times in the hospital.(Our Favorites: Bubble Riding and A Boy and a Turtle) These books help distract patients through even the toughest tests/procedures. I would highly reccomend these books for any hospital type environment.
-Ariel Silvestry, CCLS
Providence, RI

Peaceful Bedtimes
I purchased this for my granddaughter, like her mom when she was young, she never wants to give up but now that she has both the books and the cd bedtime is relaxing....she'll even fall sleep before the cd is finished. ... Read more

Product Description
Innovation is an undisputed catalyst for company growth, yet many managers across industries fail to create a climate that encourages and rewards innovation. Managing Creativity and Innovation explores the manager's role in sparking organizational creativity and offers insight into what managers and leaders must do to increase successful innovation. Contents include:

Generating new ideas and recognizing opportunities
Moving innovation to market
Removing mental blocks to creativity
Establishing a strategic direction for profitable product development
Brainstorming and fostering creative conflict within groups
Creating an innovation-friendly culture
Plus, readers can access free interactive tools on the Harvard Business Essentials companion web site.

Harvard Business Essentials The Reliable Source for Busy Managers

The Harvard Business Essentials series is designed to provide comprehensive advice, personal coaching, background information, and guidance on the most relevant topics in business. Drawing on rich content from Harvard Business School Publishing and other sources, these concise guides are carefully crafted to provide a highly practical resource for readers with all levels of experience. To assure quality and accuracy, each volume is closely reviewed by a specialized content adviser from a world class business school. Whether you are a new manager interested in expanding your skills or an experienced executive looking for a personal resource, these solution-oriented books offer reliable answers at your fingertips. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good book for begineers
Review of HBR
I am trying to present my review in a different format this time (bullet points); hopefully it makes the review easier to read.

Overall impressions
* Nice book for beginners because it gives an overview of several topics
* Lacks the details need to manage idea generation or creativity
* Because it was published in 2003 it is lacking the most up-to-date knowledge
* There are inconsistencies with experts knowledge

Target Audience
* Aimed at amateurs first learning this subject
* Especially students doing their MBA
* Will be highly redundant for experts in this subject, or knowledgeable product development managers

Format
* Easy to read, and can be completed in a week or two

Content
* At a high level covers idea generation
* Covers some methods of managing and enhancing creativity
* Tends to leave out the details, I.E. you cannot use it as a direct guide, interpretation and filling in the blanks is needed
* Does not cover idea management (capturing, storing, & diffusing ideas)

Possible fit
* If you are learning product development for the first time
* If you are a student in a MBA program learning product development
* Professors who wish to supplement product development their case studies with a simple book

Do not buy this if
* You are a product development consultant
* A expert in product development, it is too simplistic to be of any uses
* You will be very upset

Dr. Brian Glassman
[...]
Ph.D in Innovation Management from Purdue University

Basic guidebook to managing innovation
This book is useful even though, in itself, it's not all that innovative. In fact, if you have consciously been working on innovation, you'll find little or nothing new in it. However, it is an exceptionally clear compilation of the established ways to enhance creativity, guide innovation and manage your organization to support both. It does a great job of demystifying these often confusing concepts, and of making full use of diagrams, charts and capsule explanations. Its strengths are also its weaknesses: The brevity means some complex concepts are only sketchy. We therefore recommend this book to novices or methodical innovators - to the first as a guidebook and to the second as a reference.

A Good, Basic Introduction
This text serves as a good, basic introduction to the concept of idea management. It is discussed from a higher level and can help some organizations set up a basic framework for identifying and implementing new ideas. It would be most helpful to those leaders and managers who do not find themselves that creative and need some assistance identifying who is creative and how to best tap into those resources.

One area of weakness was that the book did not discuss implementation problems to the degree that is necessary for most organizations. This is the one area that generally troubles organizations the most. It did provide a basic framework, but little concerning the integration issues including; adapting to the current structure, organizational development, and cultural transformation, to name a few.

Creativity
This book from the Harvard Business Press does a great job in providing a detailed look at the art of managing creative people.Creative minds require an atmosphere that allows them to thrive.Is your workplace conducive to encourgaging creativity or are ideas unintentionally inhibited before they have a chance to mature?The book also provides information on how to encourage and foster creativity and helps transform the workplace into an idea factory.Change is constant and the authors of this book provide information to help you manage that change.

If you like this book you are too dumb to create
This book addresses none of the issues in getting creativity and doing business to relate to each other. I use the word "none" advisedly, not carelessly. I wanted a book I could recommend to consulting clients and trusted the name "Harvard".Boy was I wrong. This book is completely irrelevant for relating creativity to doing business.In addition, it is hard for me, honestly, to imagine anyone so mentally stunted that they would find the "insights" of this book, well, how shall I say...insightful!

I suppose if your prior business experience was fishing in a tiny land-locked lake somewhere, this would be a real eye-opener for you, but if you lived in any of the top 2000 cities of any of the top 20 industrial nations of the 21st century, you would find this book part of a giant "boring trite-isms about innovation" recycling system.Apparently every 20 years you can re-publish this stuff to a new generation.

Let me get real specific and real real about this for those of you doubting my review thus far--what SHOULD this sort of book be dealing with that it does not deal with? To wit:

1) most of business does not need creativity at all--a lot of business needs great execution, fast response, careful positioning, speedy admission of error, seeking help rather than re-investing in failing lines of action, and the like.Creativity is so popular and talked about in business not because it is so needed but it is in large part a cover for other, ulterior purposes--primarily doing something personal that is jazzy enough to get attention of higher ups, whether it helps the firm or not is irrelevant as long as it gets you visibility to help your career!This book takes a naive, pro-more-creativity tone and bias, that belittles the hard trade-offs between creativity and things more essential, one wants to say more "creative" for business survival.

2) Americans share a national neurosis of trying to cure all their ills of whatever sort by applying more:creativity, freedom, capitalism, you get the picture. So you find business people bandying about the word "creativity" as a solution to problems caused by too much creativity, among other causes.This book nowhere acknowledges the difference between "cute" creativity for show and life and death creativity for continued business survival.It takes a decorative sort of tone that I find highly irritating, like a whining employee who thinks he had got it but who clearly has not got it.

3) People can sell systems, it is a fact, by telling customers these systems "are creative" and "help you become creative"--so the creativity of products and services is grossly exaggerated nearly everywhere in modern businesses.In addition the difficulty of getting tiny amounts of novelty through modern business bureaucracies causes tired frustrated people to celebrate tiny innovations as if biggo paradigm shaking creations.This book never acknowledges the gross exaggeration of the role, import, amount, and destiny of creativity actually out there in real businesses today. It just recycles business magazine enthusiasms.

4) the career system generates simultaneous excesses and deficits of creativity--the famous inventory simultaneous overshoot and undershoot problem--it generates too much creativity because career forces drive people to exaggerate their "creativity" and the "creativity" of their "team" and "product"--it generates too little creativity because the fundamentals really needed like having a planet left for capitalism to profit from, decency of treatment of population lowest income levels so rich people do not die early(see the research on this), relevance to customers, value for price, solid execution of total quality principles, all of which would be creative accomplishments since US firms largely fail at them, are left undone (instead more "creative" things get done)

4) good longitudinal studies of innovations--mostly out of Van de Ven et al at Minnesota--showed that nearly all creative products/efforts have to be disguised and hidden, repeatedly, to protect them from careerist and other distortions and obstacles--the ordinary culture of business, for good reasons, is hostile to creativity and will always be so; to pretend, as this Harvard book does, that creativity will be welcomed and popular, seen as an asset to the business, embedded in the culture--is to be incredibly dishonest and naive--innovation hurts higher ups, makes their past innovations no longer innovative--always, so it is never popular with such higher ups--if you believe otherwise, just keep pluggin another few years and you will wise up eventually (besides the research on this was done in the 1960s, and well done statistically, apparently unread by the authors of this book).

5) being creative is largely the moral work of not exaggerating it and the cultural work of defining it in historic and self change terms not in groovy and advertising terms--this book views creativity as a kind of technical technique thing, produced by work as usual.

This book addresses none of the above, none, not one. Instead we get a recycling of trite commonsense--uh, let's get creativity by talking to, uh, our customers--yea, that's a good idea!Let's go for "incremental" creativity--it is easier to get tiny ideas through the small brains of our executives--the Doonebury door to creativity in modern business!You get the picture.To be honest, the first client I handed this book to read it as a comedy, sending me lines by email for me to laugh at with him.

This book, ironically, is a demonstration of the kind of dumb management ideas that go for thinking among people condemned to decades of reading what New York Publishers push out the door for "the businessman market"--
keep it simple so the poor mentally deficit businessmen will be able to read it, better still, make an executive summary reducing the book's main points to 5 lines of utterly trite tripe--executives love tripe!

In my opinion, this sort of book and the publishers of this stuff, patronize businessmen with this sort of dumbed down book.They insult me and all the businessmen I have worked with for years.I have never worked with anyone in business as mentally limited as the audience for this book is assumed to be.No one in any business I was in was mentally slow enough to fit this book.Ifeel sorry for the publishers of this stuff--they must have had really bad experiences in their first firms to reduce their view of businessman intelligence to the level this book targets and represents.Get real please.

Now for a bigger and much more devastating flaw in this book--every article in this book bandies about the word "creativity" as if it was one thing.What if creativity is not one thing but, say, 60 things, different in process to each other. Then you get this, very very interesting, powerful, and real conundrum--missing entirely from this book--(IMPORTANT STUFF FOLLOWS) the tactical actions that I take to enhance the one model, of what creativity is, that my paid-for consultant is foisting now onto me, interact so as to hinder a dozen other models of what creativity is, that that consultant is unaware of, and not selling to me, so overall the tactics I do shut down more creativity than they grow--but my consultant and I are unaware of this because we see and measure only one model of what creativity is.Not one word of this book acknowledges that creativity might just be not one simple obvious thing but many pluriform things in trade-off relations to each other.This is a devastating flaw.

The authors of this book do not have clue--I get the feel they have never managed a popsicle stand much less a real business. I get the feel they have read books about meeting payroll every month and have never actually felt responsiblity for 500 families eating next month. I get the idea they come from some sort of wimpy pale MBA rendition of what business is. Wimpy creativity does not get very far in this world.

Now for an even bigger flaw, a more devastating flaw. This book assumes that you, as you now are, can create much more than you ever have.This is a sucker's promise and if you fall for it you are a, well, to put it politely, suboptimal person. I was suspicious of it right off!The you that you now are, can never create.You are going to have to change you in order to change how creative you are.If you think that you can create a lot more while keeping the same you, you are guilty of the commonest form of mental illness--the belief that things can be made to be entirely different while keeping yourself the same person.Never happens. Childish illusion.

This book ignores decades of creativity research that show two things--one, that creative people first establish creative lives for themselves and it is those creative lives that do the creating, not the raw people by themselves.Second, creative people before their main famous creations, work up to it with hundreds of small inventions and discoveries and creations of work style and lifestyle tools that prepare the way for their biggo final creations--subcreations I call these though the research literature uses lots of terms. So, in this book, you get the sucker's illusion that you, without changing you, just by reading a few techniques, can become vastly more creative than all your life thus far made you.If you are dumb enough to believe that you should not be reading books at all! No, to greatly change creativity from you, YOU YOURSELF very intimately, will have to change a lot about YOU!!!!No input change, no output change.This book promotes a sucker line that you can get creativity "for free" by buying a clever system, installing a new "retiree research posting network".Also, this book never acknowledges that all those little preparatory subcreations are forbidden in modern businesses. We get a Laing-like double-bind message: be creative but wear a standard business suit, be creative but keep one desk per employee, be creative but work for one company at a time, be creative but work the same job five days in a row each week--creative workstyle and lifestyle inventions are forbidden in most businesses. So?They want creativity?Not really.They want "good boy" conformist creativity--a contradiction in terms never dealt with in this book but well dealt with in Van de Ven's wonderful Minnesota studies of following actual innovations through years of budget changes, manager changes, market changes.

More devastating--this book fosters the illusion in technology industries that-------more connectivity means more creativity!!!!! Are you stupid enough to go for that?No one I have been in business with was that foolish. What more connectivity does, and we all have experienced this a hundred times in the 1990s, is it initially gives you a burst of new creativity as formerly isolated units and persons get to know each other and interact--so far so good--but more connectivity inevitably within months turns into familiarity--we know what he is going to respond before we contact him--so that about 18 to 24 months after some new system is installed, we find participation dropping off quantitatively and qualitatively.The research on this was first published, as far as I could dig up, by Gallegher's wonderful book Intellectual Teamwork LEA 1990 or so. She found product development creativity was reduced by better "communication" and "connection"!! Using real data not amateur ideas.This book has not read her research, and, as far as I can tell, has not read most relevant creativity research as well--I think these professors read only their own papers!

Anyway save time and money and buy some good high quality dog food, you will learn more about creativity in business from that.

... Read more

Product Description
Where do major scientific breakthroughs come from? Do they arise from the logic of the scientific method, or do they result from flashes of genius? Are they the products of some mysterious zeitgeist, or spirit of the times, or do they emerge from chance or serendipity? Dean Simonton provides an answer, not by choosing one explanation and ignoring the others, but rather by unifying all four perspectives into a single theory in which chance plays the primary role, but with the significant involvement of logic, genius and zeitgeist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent
Simonton is a lucid thinker and lucid writer, so I found this book a delight to read, though it's a challenging delight because it reads much like a PhD thesis, with careful reasoning, abundant use of empirical data, and more quantitative analysis than one might have expected.

But that rigor is worth dealing with because many of Simonton's conclusions turn out to be counterintuitive.What is his central conclusion?In a sophisticated way, Simonton makes a strong case that chance (luck) is the dominant factor in scientific creativity and success, while also recognizing the supporting roles of genius (inborn ability), zeitgeist (culture), and logic (basic knowledge of one's scientific domain and its rules of inference).

Yet Simonton also notes that "chance" isn't strictly random and out of our control, since the odds of coming up with important results can be increased by factors such as hard work (eg, increasing number of papers published), exposure to diverse and numerous influences, and fostering an iconoclastic attitude (willingness to think "outside the box," in opposition to prevailing paradigms).

To place this book in a more "popular" context, please see my December 30, 2008 review of Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell.

The bottom line is that I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in creativity and success in science, both at individual and group levels.The book requires sustained concentration, but the effort is well worth it.This book itself exemplifies creative and successful scientific work!

book review
Simonton, Dean Keith."Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist."Cambridge University Press.Cambridge, UK: 2004.

This book is essentially an extended academic paper supporting this professor's argument for the causes of and correlations with creativity in science.The main idea of the book is that creativity in science is a function of chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist.Simonton argues that the other 3 are included under the heading of chance.This is a very interesting idea because the conventional wisdom is that genius is the principal player in scientific creativity, and many would not be happy with suggestions otherwise.
The main theory proposed by Simonton is that creative genius is simply a product of random and possibly unrelated ideas being combined in an interesting way through the combinatorial process.Simonton then makes a series of assumptions. From his theory and the assumptions, he concludes the existence of the equal-odds rule, which has been supported by empirical data.The equal-odds rule says that the average publication of any particular scientist does not have any statistically different chance of having more of an impact than any other scientist's average publication.In other words, those scientists who create publications with the most impact, also create publications with the least impact, and when great publications that make a huge impact are created, it is just a result of "trying" enough times.This is an indication that chance plays a larger role in scientific creativity than previously theorized.
This book is filled with interesting quotes.One of my favorites is from a famous physicist named Bohr speaking about another theory.He says, "we are all agreed that your theory is crazy.The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct.My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough."This is an example of the kind of traits present in creative scientific people.The chart on the next page summarizes Simonton's findings in relation to the development, birth order, and disposition of creative minds in a concise way.As you may notice from the figure, Simonton also makes distinctions between artistic and scientific creativity.He argues that since logic is a requirement for all scientific creativity, and a detriment to most artistic creativity, these two types of creativity are very different.In addition, it is interesting to note that if a certain scientist never existed, their work would be replaced eventually be something similar, while this is not true for artists.He also argues that there is a stronger correlation in artistic creativity, with psychopathology, unconventional development, and other aspects on the figure below that lead to more random inputs in the combinatorial process.
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Product Description
As Osho points out in the foreward to this book, historically, the creative person has been all but forced to rebel against the society.

But nowadays, the situation has dramatically changed. In today's world, the ability to respond creatively to new challenges is demanded of everybody, from corporate CEOs to "soccer moms." Those whose toolbox for dealing with life includes only what they have learned in the past from their parents and their teachers are at a distinct disadvantage both in their relationships and in their careers. Making a switch from imitative and rule-bound behavior to creative innovation and flexibility requires a profound change in our attitudes about ourselves and our capabilities.

Creativity is a handbook for those who understand the need to bring more creativity, playfulness, and flexibility to their lives. It's a manual for thinking "outside the box"-and learning to live there as well.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

So lacking in our world
Such a worthwhile book and another one that should be read by teachers to bring about a shift in our stagnant world.
We live in such a world of left brain thinking that all creativity is frowned upon. Yet it is only with creativity that we can then engage the left brain to carry through these ideas. Osho is asking of us to dare to unleash the forces within ourselves and to dare to dream our world into possibilities. We are too afraid of our own greatness as Marianne Williamson says so well.
Dr Gunta Krumins-Caldwell author of On Silver Wings

Life as it should be
Change your thoughts, change your life;Osho will show you the way, in this, and in all his writings.

OSHO a Great Master like Socrate ...
In my humble opinion every book of Osho is a treasure and give you very important arguments for your personal growing.

Tiziano

Disappointing
I understand that this is probably a compilation of Osho's speeches, but it was far too rambling for me to even want to finish the book.Too bad, because it sounded very interesting.It's also a bit too condescending, and whoever came up with the style of writing presented in this book almost seems like he/she is trying to brainwash me.It's not what is being said, but *how* it's said.I'm glad that this was just a book checked out from the library.I'll give it another try to see if I can at least finish the book...

A new percepcion
It certainly wont make you creative from one day to another. But It helps you make conscience about issues that we carry for many years.those issues are responsible of blocking our creativity.What Osho wants us to know is that we have to be free and empty, so we can start creating from a certainpace with in.

It makes you think. Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
The seminal book that introduced a new way of reasoning and decision making. "Dr. de Bono does not claim to be able to turn us all into Miltons, Da Vincis, and Einsteins. . . . The Muse never appears to most of us--hence the value of this book."--Times Educational Supplement ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

KINDLE EDITION--DO NOT BUY--NO images referred to in the text
The book itself is thoroughly thought through. My negative review is not about the book itself, but about the Kindle Edition, which, for some poor reason, has NONE of the apparently copious visual illustrations referred to throughout the book. Lateral thinking requires the ability to visualize, so De Bono's conceptual framework and his intent to offer teaching exercises are thwarted by publishing the book with no images!

There is, apparently, no way to return a Kindle edition for a refund, so I will purchase the paperback edition as I do want the book as a part of my visual problem-solving library of resources.

Groundbreaking, but his writing style is an acquired taste
The book is almost 40 years old, so chances are you have seen a lot of de Bono's ideas somewhere else. Nonetheless, it remains a very interesting book, simple and useful.

The downside, for me at least, is that his style is very very dry and academic, descriptive and repetitive to the point of exhaustion. A little bit of humor here and there, funny anecdotes to make the theory come alive? Forget it, you will find none of it here. On the same line, I couldn't really understand who the author was targeting. Sometimes you would think he wrote the book to people interested in learning lateral thinking. In other moments, he seems to be talking to other teachers who will, in turn, be teaching lateral thinking themselves.

In short, it's a great book, but it could be much more interesting if it had more dynamic style.

The How and Why of Lateral Thinking by its Inventor
Edward de Bono is the "creator" of lateral thinking.His method is based on the way the mind works, which is by forming patterns that are formed as information is received.These patterns rarely change alone and need to be challenged or provoked into changing.De Bono contrasts lateral thinking to vertical thinking, which is the thinking of traditional logic and relies on the extensive use of the word "no", exclusion and categorization.He does not denigrate vertical thinking as it has been necessary for humanity to survive, especially when a person does not have time to start new patterns in emergencies.However, vertical thinking is not enough because by its nature it limits creativity and innovation, especially when something is good enough.De Bono provides a number of lateral thinking methods as well as exercises for each technique.He delves particularly into the use of the word "po" as a lateral thinking tool with multiple functions, especially that of provocation.As a whole the book is a great introduction to lateral thinking and its various tools.There is one major weakness - De Bono's writing style - which is stilted and dull, for the most part. I think future editions of this book could benefit from significant editing to bring the subject matter to life.Further, I don't think I have ever heard anyone use the word "po" in any setting whatsoever.Perhaps participants in De Bono seminars apply it.However, the fact that it is almost never use suggests that maybe some other less awkward term needs to be created to encourage the use of this critical lateral thinking tool.If you read this book you will learn a lot about lateral thinking but it will be slow going.

Very insightful book.
I'm puzzled by the negative reviews on this book.The author is very lucid.Some critics, which you can find on wikipedia, note that he hasn't attempted to "prove" his position.That's not the author's point.By definition, he isn't indulging in linear or logical thought.If he were to concede to his critics, he wouldn't write the book.The critics have missed the point.His examples supply, not proof, but circumstantial evidence supporting his theory.In a court of law, sometimes all you have is circumstantial evidence.Since when is such evidence inadmissible in an argument anymore than it is in the courts of old?It's been used for centuries with the courts and with famous mathematical statements known as "conjectures."Pure mathematical thought doesn't say anything about the world because it is constituted of tautologies.If you want to say something about the world, as the author does, you are by definition departing from purely formal thought and therefore purely formal rigor in your demonstrations.I thought the homely examples by the author were good.For example, he discusses the feature in European liquor manufacturers of fruit contained in a bottle of liquor.How did it get there?Was the bottom attached?No.There is no visible weld.Was the fruit pushed inside?No.It's too wide for the bottle neck.Solution?Insert the small bud of the fruit into the bottle and let it grow there.The glass operates as a small green house; therefore, it won't interfere with the growth of the fruit.With regard to the conundrum PO, the author is explicit on page 225."Logic could be said to be the management of NO. . .The concept of lateral thinking is insight restructuring and this is brought about through the rearrangement of information.Rearrangement is the basis of lateral thinking and rearrangement means escape from the rigid patterns established by experience.The rearrangement process is incorporated in the concept of the (re) laxative.The laxative is a rearranging device.It is the means whereby one can escape from established patterns and create new ones.The concept of the laxative is crystallized into a definite language tool.The language tool is PO. . .The whole concept of lateral thinking is concentrated in the use of this language tool.Lateral thinking could be said to be the management of PO just as logical thinking is the management of NO. . .PO is to lateral thinking what NO is to logical thinking."My only misgiving with the author is his seeming overemphasis of the use of tilde in its use in logic.Maybe he's right.However, proof by the use of contradiction or excluded middle isn't the only proof used in formal thought.There is other forms of proof.Yet, he insists all of logic can be summed up as a manifold use of the operator "tilde."If I recall, Russell and Whitehead failed in trying to reduce all of formal thought to a few logical operators, let alone one operator, such as the tilde, in their book Principia Mathematica.Godel "proved" you cannot do that.Nevertheless, the author is adamant that all logic is, one way or another, the management of the single operator "tilde."He does so in order to create his dichotomy between logical thinking and lateral thinking which is given expression in juxtaposing NO and PO.He wishes to assign to PO a distinct language, which is sort of self defeating since language, as linguists note, has a tendency to resolve itself into linear thinking, not necessarily of the subject and predicate variety.I wouldn't worry too much about PO or understanding it.There is probably nothing there to understand.Perhaps PO visited the author after one of those binges involving too many of those liquor bottles with the fruit inside.Perhaps PO is a genie the author mistook for a fruit.Or maybe PO is the clerk at the local 7-11 of whom the author recognizes as possessing the wisdom of a sage.The known reports indicate that PO and Squiggly had a nasty divorce and PO lost everything. This explains his fate in being reduced to a 7-11 clerk.It also explains why PO and Squiggly are irreconciliable.De Bono wants to continue to being friends with both PO and Squiggly; however, his allegiance obviously favors PO as the better friend.The author certainly has a Freudian sense of PO.Why should he use the metaphor of "laxative" in describing PO?What does loosening up one's thinking have to do with loose bowels?Is he suggesting that a trip to the drug store is our solution to writer's block?Did PO recommend a laxative to the author on the second isle, next to the bathroom tissue, whereupon the author, upon consumption of it, exclaimed "Eureka?"Is 7-11 destined to rival the baths of Syracuse in its place in academic folklore?Will laxatives prove to be the solution to American foreign policy difficulties.Will ex-lax replace diplomas?The author raises some very provocative questions.

I was really disappointed
I was really disappointed with this book, it wasn't like I expected, the way it is written is really boring and time consuming. It is intended for teachers who want to learn how to teach his way, I thought it would enhance lateral thinking, instead it enhances teaching techniques. ... Read more

Product Description
Fostering Companywide Creativity

Innovations, by definition, change and improve the status quo. Mostly, they do so in small ways, such as a twist on an already existing idea. But when they do so in big ways—such as a new idea altogether—innovations can catapult the inventing company years ahead of competitors.

Those kinds of innovations—from the wheel to the assembly line, from the pen to the PC—are born of creativity. And many companies are allowing this critical wellspring to run dry. In Creativity, Inc., Jeff Mauzy and Richard Harriman marshal forty years of research into how creative ideas happen and how they become innovations to reveal a set of fundamental principles for infusing creativity into every aspect of an organization.

The authors argue that sustained leadership comes from making creativity a broad, enterprise-wide capability that is "on" all the time—to fuel day-to-day innovative responses, to imagine multiple future possibilities, and to develop the foundation from which fundamental, purposeful innovations can be launched. Through vivid examples from a wide range of industries, they show how companies can rework organizational climate, structures, and procedures to build systemic creativity in individuals, in teams, and at the corporate level.

The book’s creativity framework—designed to be customized to a company’s unique needs—walks readers through four interacting dynamics that make up the creative process: motivation, curiosity and fear, the making and breaking of connections, and evaluation.

Individuals will learn how to:
• Reclaim their own creative wellspring
• Exercise creativity in all aspects of their work
• Strengthen their ideas to address corporate response

Leaders of teams and organizations will learn how to:
• Build a climate that supports constant creativity
• Fuel daily creative response and long-term vision
• Develop a ready foundation for transforming ideas into innovations

Marrying practical strategies with theoretical research, Creativity,Inc. shows how entire organizations can embody and implementcreativity and innovation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

An essential resource
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3UF9WHDUVZX6M An absolute wonderful resource for anyone leading with creative people.

Also recommended The Disney Way, Revised Edition: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company

Fair content. Flat and unimaginative.
There is some fair content, however I was not inspired or blown away so-to-speak with the presentation and usefulness of the book. It felt high-level, flat and academic at best.Shouldn't a book on creativity be creative?

Cabbages, Kings, and Creativity
There are so many other books now in print which offer valuable guidance to those who wish to increase creative and innovative thinking within their own organizations. I identify several of them at the conclusion of this brief commentary. Include Mauzy and Harriman's among them. In fact, it is one of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on the separate but related subjects, creativity and innovation. Mauzy and Harriman agree with Teresa Amabile that creativity is the generation of novel and appropriate ideas whereas innovation implements those ideas "and thereby changes the order of things in the world." They carefully organize their material as follows:

Part I: Creative Thinking (The Dynamics That Underlie Creative Thinking, Becoming Creatively Fit as an Individual;l, and Breaking and Making Connections for an Enterprise)

Part II: Climate (The Climate for Creativity in an Enterprise and Personal Creative Climate: The Bubble)

Part III: Action (Leadership: Fostering Systemic Creativity, Purposeful Creativity, and Sustaining the Change)

I agree with Mauzy and Harriman that, "When systemic creativity is in place, creativity flourishes from top to bottom and across all functions. People and teams come up with blockbuster ideas that turn into multimillion-dollar products or even billion-dollar new businesses. Or they create ingenious marketing campaigns that ratchet up revenue, or lead process improvement programs that delight customers and empower employees alike, or implement restructuring initiatives that maximize cost reductions but minimize layoffs. And systemic creativity does not apply just to the big creative triumphs: People in organizations daily spark thousands of ideas that provide value in themselves and also build a higher plateau from which greater peaks of creativity can rise." I agree with Mauzy and Harriman that there is no "recipe" for systemic creativity but that most people within almost any organization (regardless of size or nature) can -- and will -- think more creatively if what Mauzy and Harriman characterize as "four critical dynamics" are present: motivation, curiosity and fear, the breaking and making of connections, and evaluation.

True, there are individuals who -- almost single-handedly -- have generated novel and appropriate ideas or implemented someone else's ideas and thereby changed "the order of things in the world." However, there are more instructive examples of how important, climate, environment, culture, etc. are to nourishing creative thought by members of teams or coalitions. Perhaps the most widely cited example is the world's first research and development center which Thomas Edison established in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1887.Others exceptionally creative "communities" include the Disney studios which produced so many animation classics; Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) which developed the first personal computer; Apple Computer which then took it to market; the so-called "Skunk Works" where so many of Lockheed's greatest aircraft designs were formulated; and Los Alamos (NM) and the University of Chicago where the Manhattan Project eventually produced a new weapon called "The Gadget."

Everyone seems to agree that having creative and innovative people throughout all levels of any organization is highly desirable and substantially beneficial. To achieve "systemic creativity," the question remains: HOW? The book which Mauzy and Harriman have written is their response to that question. I especially want to commend them on the fact that they devote much less attention to principles and much more attention to implementation than do most other books on this subject. With due respect to their talents as creators and innovators, I appreciate the fact that they are also pragmatists. No doubt each bears some scar tissue from combat with those who felt threatened by what is new or what is different.

When nearing the conclusion of their book, Mauzy and Harriman assert that information "is the fluid expression of knowledge feeding the creative effort. Keep it available, keep it rich and diverse, keep it flowing. And remember to keep it flowing up to leadership, not just horizontally or from the top down....If you and your organization have the resolve to carry on, the creative effort you undertake now will continue. In evolving forms, the effort will begin again and still continue. The rewards that creativity brings will continue and renew as well." To paraphrase Henry Ford, whether you think you can or think you can't think creatively, you're right. Most limits really are self-imposed.

For many of those who read Mauzy and Harriman's brilliant book, this will be the most exciting intellectual experience they have had in years.

Those who share my high regard for it are urged to check out EvanSchwartz's Juice: The Creative Fuel That Drives World-Class Inventors. Also Harvard Business Review on Innovation and Harvard Business Review on Breakthrough Thinking as well as Tom Kelley's The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm, Robert I. Sutton's Weird Ideas That Work: 11 1/2 Practices for Promoting, Managing, and Sustaining Innovation, Roger Von Oech's Expect the Unexpected or You Won't Find It: A Creativity Tool Based on the Ancient Wisdom of Heraclitus, Joey Reiman's Thinking for a Living: Creating Ideas That Revitalize Your Business, Career, and Life, Doug Hall Jump Start Your Business Brain: Win More, Lose Less, and Make More Money with Your New Products, Services, Sales & Advertising, and Michael Michalko's Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius.

From The Innovation Road Map Magazine
Because I've studied and read so much about creativity I must admit that I approached this book with a certain amount of trepidation. I wasn't sure that I wanted to read it. I told myself, just read the intro and the first chapter and then stop if you don't like it. Well, I didn't stop. It was an enjoyable read throughout with many insights along the way. What the authors bring forward in this book is a methodological approach to creativity in organizations, more particularly corporations. They describe a system that seems to touch all the right points in order to increase creativity in an organization. In addition, they provide some helpful information for individuals who want to improve their own creativity.

The book is broken into three parts and eight chapters:

Part 1 - Creative thinking

 The Dynamics That Underlie Creative Thinking
 Becoming Creatively Fit as an Individual
 Breaking and Making Connections for an Enterprise

Part2 - Climate

 The Climate for Creativity in an Enterprise
 Personal Creative Climate: The Bubble

Part 3 - Action

 Leadership: Fostering Systemic Creativity
 Purposeful Creativity
 Sustaining the Change

When an organization has systemic creativity, the authors write "systemic creativity becomes an integral part of everyday operations and spawns new thought, from small changes to breakthroughs, that organizations now need in every activity that makes a competitive difference.

For this to happen, creativity must become the responsibility of everyone - every leader and senior manager as well as every employee. Systemic creativity is only systemic when everyone in an organization learns how to practice it and then promotes it constantly."

This is not an easy task in today's short-term, bottom-line, stockholder-value driven organization. The authors point out "The behaviors required for successful creativity are out of tune with the behaviors that make a company operationally efficient, well-organized and clear-sighted on its mission and goals."

The authors also correctly point out that there is no "right way" to foster creativity in an organization. The approach depends upon a number of factors. "There are, however, basic principles and practical techniques that have stood the test of time." This book is a great contribution that goal.

The book is informed by six basic understandings:

1. There is no recipe for systemic creativity.
2. Creativity and innovation are two distinct concepts.
3. Creativity happens with individuals, coalitions and teams, and organizations.
4. There are four critical dynamics.
5. Creativity depends on climate.
6. Systemic creativity asks everyone to be a leader.

According to the authors, the four inter-linking dynamics of creativity are motivation, curiosity and fear, making and breaking connections, and evaluation.

In the authors' model, making and breaking connections within an enterprise is the pivotal dynamic of the creative process. To foster this, they encourage conflict of ideas, encourage risk taking, the promotion of diversity, organizing for intrinsic motivation, the development of information flows that support creativity, and the utilization of more and less information.

The "conflict of ideas" concept is one of the few areas in the book that I find myself disagreeing. I have found that the metaphor of battle in creativity to be de-motivating for many people. There may be certain personality types that enjoy competition over new ideas, but there are even more people who find this stressful and a turnoff. I think what needs to be fostered in organizations to promote creativity is the development and facilitation of conversations about ideas. Non judgmental conversations about ideas usually generates new ideas that quite often are better than the originals. To converse is to turn around together.

The authors make a distinction between climate and culture. The difference according to their definition is understandable. Many models of culture include a hierarchy of philosophies, beliefs, values and behaviors. Values set expectations and therefore the author's definition of climate encompasses values and behaviors.

The concept of a personal creative climate, a "bubble" is an extremely powerful one. There are many distractions, conflicting priorities, and decentives to creativity in organizations. I have always found for myself, as well as observing the behavior of others, that those who can create this "bubble" are the most productive and the most creative.

The authors end the book with some wise advice to would be promoters of creativity in organizations. They write "As the change to systemic creativity goes forward, everything covered in the introduction and the first seven chapters - from the dynamics of the creative process and their relationship to individuals and companies, through personal; and corporate climate, through leadership and innovation - requires continued attention, reinforcement, exercise, follow-through, and reinvention." They explain that the forces against creativity are so strong, that without continued reinforcement and reinvention, any approach to systemic creativity will fail. Their advice:

 Plan ahead
 Record results
 Expect resistance
 Encourage the flow of information

"More than forty years ago, in The Human Side of Enterprise, Douglas MacGregor challenged the command-and-control assumptions about the business establishment: `The distinctive potential contribution of the human being...at every level of the organization stems form his capacity to think, to plan, to exercise judgement, to be creative, to direct and control his own behavior.'

MacGregor was arguing on behalf of the creative climate. Today, while there has been much progress, too few leaders ask and expect creativity of their employees; too few leaders provide the climate in which creativity can flourish."

How true!

Jeff Mauzy is a Consulting Manager and Richard Harriman is Managing Partner at Synectics, a pioneering consulting firm specializing in business creativity and innovation.

Exemplary creativity
Jeff Mauzy and Richard Harriman's seminal volume on systematic creativity garnered a lasting impression largely due to his gift for making the corporate world intelligible.The book is not solely intended for the tenacious "higher-ups" that dictate the feel of the workplace, but instead tends towards the hands-on approach that is the hallmark of the individuated sucessful corporation.

The main thrust of his approach is to create a kind of learning environment that allows for "growth" and "specialization" in a particular field.Mauzy's knack for egalitarian leadership is firmly based in his experience in child-rearing.Allowing a young person to mature into a specialized and highly competant individual is analogous to the process that Mauzy and Harriman espouse.

I found it to be especially useful when the book described the creative process as being like the teaching of mathematics.It seems counter-intuitive to link creativity to mathematics, but in fact one can be expressive within a rigidly defined field, much like the corporate world itself.I highly recommend this book for its emphasis on the educational and mathematical aspects of corporate creativity. ... Read more

Product Description
This text presents a Vygotskian perspective on childrens and adults symbolic engagement in play, multi-modal meaning making, and the arts. Psychologists, artists, and educators present research and practice in a variety of learning environments through the lens of Vygotsky's cultural historical theory. The connections between creative expression, learning, teaching, and development are situated in a theoretical framework that emphasizes the social origins of individual development and the arts. The authors share a view of learning as an imaginative process rooted in our common need to communicate and transform individual experience through the cultural lifelines of the arts.

This book is suitable for readers or courses in the following areas: art and aesthetics; art education; art therapy; cultural historical activity theory; communication; creativity studies; early childhood education; education; educational perspectives; educational psychology; emotional development; cultural and societal foundations; language, literacy, and sociocultural studies; learning and development; mental health and catharsis; multiliteracies; multimodal meaning making; play; play therapy; psychology; semiotics; social construction of meaning; trauma, resilience, and therapeutic processes and practices; and Vygotskian approaches to psychology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For those interested in imagination, play, and art as meaning-making practices
This is a fine collection of chapters that address practitioners and their involvement in processes of creation. The various pieces provoke questions in presenting the use of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) methodology, and many implications for the nature of learning and teaching are explored. The writers engaged in improvisation, drama, play, dance, visual arts, and other forms of community cognitive pluralism (a concept that Vera John Steiner discusses) and illustrate their methods in thoughtful ways. The book will certainly be interesting to all those whose learning, teaching, and research centers around creative and dynamic meaning making processes. Conceptual models are made accessible to the reader by authentic examples of learning, teaching, research on play and the arts. The authors are international and in dialogue with one another as inspired by Vygotsky; you will want to join them in their classrooms and research sites after reading their chapters. ... Read more

Product Description
Hailed by one reviewer as the creative business "bible," and considered the authoritative book on the subject for over ten years, The Business Side of Creativity is back, updated and revised to include even more invaluable facts, tips, strategies, and advice for beginning creatives.Every year the market for creative services expands, but the competition is increasing even faster. Today, success hinges not on talent alone, but on a thorough understanding of the business side of creativity. The Business Side of Creativity is the most comprehensive business companion available to freelance graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, copywriters, and agency or design-shop principals. Cameron S. Foote, a successful entrepreneur and editor of the Creative Business newsletter, guides you step-by-step through the process of being successfully self-employed - from getting launched as a freelancer to running a multiperson shop to retiring comfortably, and everything in between. Sample business forms and documents to help put the information into practice are included in the appendixes, and are available for downloading at www.creativebusiness.com/bizbook.html. How should you organize? What should you charge? What marketing techniques yield the best returns? How do you know when it's right to expand? What are the most effective strategies for managing employees? How can you build salable equity? The Business Side of Creativity delves into these questions and hundreds more and gives you practical, real-world answers and invaluable expert advice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Excellent Book!
I have a four year-old illustration studio and this book is a must-have for anyone that freelances or has a start-up.I wish I had read this earlier. The information is invaluable---some information is just common sense but it refreshes the mind.

Practical guide
I am reviewing this, even though I purchased this as a gift for my son. He said it seems to have everything he will need to assist him if he should decide to start his own graphic design business (which mom is hoping he does someday!). I looked briefly at the chapter headings, and it seemed to be full of practical information he will need to begin a business on his own.The writing seemed easy to get into, there didn't seem to be alot of jargon that would be difficult to understand.I am hoping that this book helps him out and gets him started.

Love it
Makes the design biz interesting and even if you are employed rather than freelancing or owning, this will make you a more competent designer in terms of understanding both the client and the company you work for. All 4th year or postgrads should read this.

Referenced Regularly
I got this book while employed and within 4 I was out on my own. I have been running my own design firm for over 10 years now. Cam and Creative Business are great! The information in this book has saved me a lot o headaches over the years. Although I had no formal business training before going out on my own, I have been able to succeed in part due to the information in this book. I think the skills of running a business are even more important in this day and age then it was 10 years ago. This is really good for Freelancers and also small Design Firms.

A Good Creative Business Primer
While this book is technically for those looking to start a graphic design or perhaps an advertising business, it also was helpful to me as I started a business in photography (and could help those in related fields like web design). The best thing about this book is that it is pretty thorough in the number of topics it covers, though it doesnt' cover any of them in great depth. There's nothing "authoritative" here per se, but there is a lot to think about and that's really this book's greatest strength is that it gives you a coherent, concise look at many of the more important business tasks and issues you'll be facing. So you'll have a better idea of what to expect, and be able to plan better and prepare better (yes more reading will be necessary for sure beyond this book) than you would have just jumping in blindly. ... Read more

Product Description
Inner Knowing illustrates that the human mind possesses the capability to consistently function at significantly high levels of perception, creativeness, and intuitiveness. Indeed, everyone has at one time in his life experienced a sense of mindful clarity that led to a Eureka! moment.In this latest addition to Tarcher's successful New Consciousness Reader series, Helen Palmer, author of The Enneagram, has compiled a collection of writings that explore such abilities and illustrate how they can be developed.Essays on exercising the mind, understanding synchronicity, experiencing "flow," establishing communication between the conscious and subconscious, utilizing the active imagination, listening to the body's feedback, and witnessing psychic displays of walking on fire, clairvoyance, and similar phenomena make up this enlightening, thought-provoking, and fascinating anthology.Contributors include: Bruno Bettelheim, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Sylvia Boorstein, Pema Chodron, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Betty Edwards, Erich Fromm, Daniel Goleman, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Jack Kornfield, J. Krishnamurti, Philip Novak, Charles Tart, Montague Ullman, Frances Vaughan, Mark Waldman, and Roger Walsh.A sophisticated book representing the essence of the NCR series, Inner Knowing offers readers confidence in themselves as they reawaken subtle senses while learning to trust and utilize new ways of perceiving, knowing, and living.Amazon.com Review
Although opinion polls indicate that most Americans believe inthe power of intuition, dreams, and precognition to offer validguidance and information, "we have not yet developed an educationalcontext for developing these abilities," according to author andeditor Helen Palmer. By assembling this stunning collection of essaysfrom leading authorities on perception, creativity, and intuition,Palmer hoped to offer a classic resource for anyone who wants tocommit to developing his or her mental and spiritual powers.Contributors include Bruno Bettelheim, who speaks about fairytales andtheir ability to enhance the link between imagination and innerknowing; Carl Jung, who writes of the I Ching's ability tochart ancient avenues of wisdom; and an interview with Isabel Allende, in which she recounts the prophetic powers ofstorytelling. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great tour through history and practices
This book offers an impressive array of excerpts from many well-known contributors to the fields of non-ordinary consciousness/experience, intuitive/non-linear knowing, experiential spiritual-mystical awareness. It is organized to give a wonderful tour that includes snippets from ancient and indigenous to very much contemporary ways of inner knowing; and also a post-modern socio-historical reckoning with "how we got here" vis a vis these fields of inquiry.Carl Jung talking about the phenomenon of the I Ching! Isabella Allende talking about how she taps her inner knowing as a writer! Excellent essay by Richard Tarnas called "the Passion of the Western Mind". It's really got a vast breadth. If you're looking for entire essays, you might be disappointed, because most are excerpted from longer works. But what is offered is a terrific package, whetting the appetite while providing a grounding in the above fields.

Can't Bring Enough Light to Express the Wonderfulness!
This is by far one of my favorite books.Its condition certainly shows it!

Under the "stewardship" of Helen Palmer, this book covers a wide variety of readings on the topic of Higher Consciousness... .digging into not only what our life is about also how to be your own life anthropologist, so to speak.

It includes readings by some preeminent names in the study of Spirituality, Psychology, Anthropology and other related fields all collected and categorized so that you can simply go to the table of contents and choose what suits you for that particular day.

Included are Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boornsteain, Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi and Abraham Maslow just to give you a taste.... And hopefully a hunger for more.

With the selections from this book, you simply can't go wrong. ... Read more

Product Description
A guide to breaking through creative blocks to discover the emotional and spiritual rewards of spontaneous art.

In Life, Paint and Passion, creativity expert Michele Cassou showedreaders how to discover the magic of intuitive expression.For many of us it is difficult just to let go and create something.Cassou shows us that once we engage in the artistic process it is quite possible to gain access to a powerful spiritual reserve within us.In Point Zero, Cassou takes the process further by providing an original method of inquiry that can be utilized in the face of doubt, conflict, and lack of inspiration.Through stories of her work with dozens of students, she shows the reader how to overcome creative difficulties of all kinds.

In the creative quest, Cassou teaches us, we must slay three dragons:The Dragon of Product fights the artist's spontaneity; the Dragon of Control bars the door to the unknown and the truly mysterious; and the Dragon of Meaning fights intuition and creativity by demanding interpretation and resolution with every move. Cassou arms us with a clear method for creating specific questions relevant to the situation of the moment, questions which are designed to dissolve barriers to creativity. She shows us how we can come face-to-face with the energy that creates our blocks, and then to use this encounter to return to Point Zero, the ground from which pure creation springs.In this place of infinite possibility, art becomes not a means to an end but a place which we may inhabit and in which we can explore our true selves and the mysteries of our lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Not for learning how to paint
I didn't find any value in this book. Don't see how it can enhance your creativity.
If you want to learn how to paint, do not buy this book.

El regreso al origen
Este libro nos ayuda a regresar al origen del poder de la creatividad con una sencillez inigualable y liberadora. Yo soy pintora y me ha ayudado a liberarme de conceptos preestablecidos acerca de lo que DEBE ser o no el arte, y por supuesto me ayudo a encontrar mi postura de felicidad al elaborar mi trabajo haciendolo libre de espectativas de otros.

Point Zero:Creativity without Limits
Point Zero is a wonderfully clear and insightful explanation of the creative process and how to tap into it. Creative blocks are defined and undone with a simple questioning process which applieas to the joy of painting and living. Cassou's stories from her own experiences of paintting for process for hours on end and her spiritual unfoldment from that process are inspiring. Highly recommended for artist and non-artist alke, those who are seeking an opening in their creative process.

Point Zero changed my life
I love this book!!!It seemed exactly what was needed to help me open up myself and create.I've always wanted to paint or simply put color on paper but something always stopped me.This book carefully outlined and explained the demons that were in my way, and after some practice, I could find myself safely stepping into the unknown and expressing myself."Point Zero" also made me feel safer to understand myself and face some challenging issues inside.Mostly, this book - with its interesting writing and short chapters that held my attention - gave me permission to go to places I have not before.I am very grateful to Michelle Cassou for sharing her teaching and experience with me.

Creativity Without Limits
Impassioned by her own life-long painting journey, Michele Cassou invites us to use our creativity to connect with our deepest selves.In her most recent book, Point Zero: Creativity Without Limits, she implores, inspires, provokes, and cajoles us to look directly at our creative blocks and to use the blocks themselves as catalysts to break their hold on us.As always, Cassou turns away from "end product", focusing instead on the mysterious act of creating itself."In creativity, only the process matters - not as a trophy to add to your mantelpiece, but as an exercise of strength and clarity, as an opening to insights and revelations."The charming drawings, diverse quotations, and glorious color pages of paintings add dimension to her written voice.Ultimately, it is Cassou's enthusiasm and passion that delight me again and again.Dynamic reading for anyone who feels the call to create! (Workshops with Michele offer a direct, fascinating experience of her written words -- contact pointzeropainting.com.) ... Read more

Product Description
The goal of this handbook is to provide the most comprehensive, definitive, and authoritative single-volume review available in the field of creativity. The book contains twenty-two chapters covering a wide range of issues and topics in the field of creativity, all written by distinguished leaders in the field. The volume is divided into six parts. The introduction sets out the major themes and reviews the history of thinking about creativity. Subsequent parts deal with methods, origins, self and environment, special topics and conclusions.All educated readers with an interest in creative thinking will find this volume to be accessible and engrossing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Comprehensive
The compilation of essays from leaders in the field of creativity provide a good picture of the current state of creativity research.

Thick and plentiful - worth it but not easy
Sternberg's Handbook has an almost mythical reputation amongst the Creative Studies Students at Buffalo State College.While there are shortcomings to the Handbook, areas where key authors or subjects are missing (it is written from the behavioral scientist point of view, and there are other, equally valid viewpoints in creative studies), each chapter will have plenty of food for thought.

And, guaranteed, you will have the time to digest this food for thought, as each and every chapter requires slow and careful reading.If the writing were to be any denser, it would tear free from the pages and sink to the very center of the Earth!Yet, there is so much information that, in the end, the knowledge derived is more than worth the work needed to get at it.

One last note: This is a handbook for those interested in the deep research on creativity.It is NOT suitable a "first book" for anyone starting out to learn about creativity!

Using The Left Brain Too Much To Understand Right Brain
Although all the contributors of the book wrote about creativity, their writing and presentation styles are stiff, dry, and boring--- totally uncreative!

They used too much of their left brain to discuss a fascinatingsubject like creativity, which is supposed to be fun,lively, and thoughts provoking.

The only merit of this book is that it is a well-researchedfacts book on creativity, very suitable for the academicpeople. It focuses more on the WHY side of creativity, rather than on theHOW TO side, which makes it less practical and appealing to thecreativity practitioners or end-users!

Still a good book to put on the bookshelf though.

Using The Left Brain Too Much To Understand Right Brain
Although all the contributors of the book wrote about creativity, their writing and presentation styles are stiff, dry, and boring--- totally uncreative!

They used too much of their left brain to discuss a fascinatingsubject like creativity, which is supposed to be fun,lively, and thoughts provoking.

The only merit of this book is that it is a well-researchedfacts book on creativity, very suitable for the academicpeople. It focuses more on the WHY side of creativity, rather than on theHOW TO side, which makes it less practical and appealing to thecreativity practitioners or end-users!

Still a good book to put on the bookshelf though.

Not for getting informed but to understand the subject!
Dr.Sternberg's book on the evolution process of creativity research is a splendit source for anybody who deals with social sciences, a must for organizational behaviorists and a very satisfactory piece of reading for general reader.

The book does not give mere descriptions on the scope of creativity but it provides great amount of knowledge on the evolutionary process of creativity research from ancient times up to today! Furthermore, the subject of creativity has been examined both from theoretical and methodological perspective in such a creative manner which gives a very good knowledge about the major approaches, the outcomes of the previous researchs, main obstacles in the course of investigation, and finally the probable studies for further research on the creativity.

Consequently, the reader finds a good chance not only to have a detailed theoretical and practical information on the subject but also to learn the main approaches of outstanding social scientists towards the subject and not mentioning about the meticoulisly prepared bibliography.

I am amazed with the intensity of Dr.Sternberg's study the language of which is clear enough those of us whose Mother tongue is not English (like me!). ... Read more

Product Description
A fundamental book on deliberate creative thinking from a world-renowned expert in the field and the inventor of the systematic process of lateral thinking. Used correctly, creating thinking can save companies millions of dollars as the best and cheapest way to get added value out of existing resources and assets. Line drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

wonderful
Wonderful book...good tips and information to be creative. I would now buy any book by Edward de Bono.

Very intuitive read
De Bono is new to my list of reading but already high on it.He makes clear what normally would be abstract, and paints a nice picture while doing it.very metaphorical and perfect in that way.I didn't notice the arrogance others did. great book

I am impressed!
I recently attended an Optimal Thinking for Leaders seminar by Dr. Rosalene Glickman who referred to Dr. De Bono as the world authority on creativity. She recommended to the audience of 500to read this book and especially to take note of the "Small Map" and the "Big Map".Well, I have to say De Bono is a brilliant author, and I finally understand what creativity means and how to apply it most effectively during conflicts and other situations.I highly recommend this book.

Masterful explanation of creativity.
In my estimation, Edward de Bono is the world authority on creativity.I have read most of his books, and seen him speak at the International Conferences on Thinking. This book will not disappoint you.I was especialy impressed with his explanations of the creative pause, focus, and how to come up with alternatives.His sensitizing techniques are unique and a must read for anyone who wants to optimize their creativity.

Masterful explanation of creativity.
In my estimation, Edward de Bono is the world authority on creativity.I have read most of his books, and seen him speak at the International Conferences on Thinking. This book will not disappoint you.I was especialy impressed with his explanations of the creative pause, focus, and how to come up with alternatives.His sensitizing techniques are unique and a must read for anyone who wants to optimize their creativity. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (19)

A Must Have
This is a great book. It's 350 pages, but I read it in a weekend. The subjects range from the artistic to the technical and is jammed packed with good stuff. He talks about things I never even thought about when it comes to landscape photography. I would highly recommend this book to everyone interested in photography. I have read quite a number of photography books and this is by far the best one I have read (so much so that emailed him a Thank You). Check it out you won't be sorry.

Simply, Great!
This is one of the greatest book that hits the base of the field of photogaphy. I dare say it is a MUST for any photographer. It might have not much technicality or how to go on with the camera or some magical tricks to turn out ordinary images to some amazing ones, but it simply a book about the real identity of photography, the philosophy of photography, and how to think when doing photography.
It has lot of discussions about philosophical (or spirituality if you like to call it), there are a set of exercises at the end of every chapter that ought to help you out on thinking and getting used to shaping your own mentality in photography.

Maybe the major examples and discussions are going around landscape photography, but the tips and the education of the book expand far to any field of "artistic" photography, and not necessarily only the landscape field.

The chapters following the artistic touch, are mainly about living as an artist and financial matters and marketing discussions and how to grab an audience and what are the audience you seek...etc. It's not all about just being an artist but also how to make some living (with integrity).
Also the chapters before the end got some check-lists to follow. Very useful for a fast rhythm check up with your work, and there is a chapter about fixing images (not a heavy load fixes but essential fixes like cropping, color cast correction...etc).

Finally, if you got other technical books about photography, I do believe you won't achieve or be satisfied at least, much about your photos, until you get some spiritual touch with an artistic hue in your heart, when you get behind the camera to work, and this book gives you all. It is a complete journey.

BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW

Alain Briot
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION, CREATIVITY, AND PERSONAL STYLE

I would like to start by saying that I really enjoyed this book although I found it very esoteric. Briot has really put in perspective a highly technical, philosophical and creative process.

As an experienced landscape photographer I found the technical discussion interesting but can see where most `artistic' or hobbyist photographers would soon lose interest. His theories on composition and then `breaking the rules' echoes my own developed practices. His discussion on landscape photography composition and the use of light can be applied to any other type of photography and is well presented.

The philosophical discussions reminded me of being back in college and wondering about the reasoning behind the lecture. Creativity is a personal decision and how one gets to that point is just as personal. I got lost in some of these pages.

I found the chapters on creativity and style to be the best in the book. The author explained and discussed how to find the best light, how to `see' the subject and how to create an image, not `take' a photo; all without a step by step instruction on `how to'.

As previously stated I like the book. I would recommend the book to any photographer as learning something new and hearing someone else's point of view is always beneficial. The book is well produced and the color reproductions are outstanding. My only negative is the small print is too `gray' and not enough contrast between ink and paper.

Wordy but VERY useful information
Alain, if your reading this review, I am going to start with what dosnt work first. Your writing style has WAY too much filler. You seem to write 2 pages of text to get an idea across when one paragraph should suffice.

Have you ever watched the movie "A River Runs Through It"? The part where the young son submits his paper to his father, who edits it and hands it back to him saying "Again, Half as long".

This would be the only area I would reccomend improvment.

As for the information contained, very through, an while wordy, very well explained.

I think any person looking to dive seriously into their landscape work could benifit in reading the concepts in this book.

Definitly worth the price of admission.

Roman Johnston

A text book for exploring your creative style
As a landscape photographer I am always excited to find new books that delve into the loftier pursuits of our craft-namely those items found in the title of Alain's book. It is the second book by this author and expands some of the ideas he developed in his first book. The two together are excellent bedside companions. I have followed Alain's photography for many years and find it inspiring to my own work. In Mastering Photographic Composition, Creativity, and Personal Style Alain brings to words many of the concepts, practices, and thought processes that influence his own style. The opening chapters discuss a variety of subjects that all photographers, especially landscape photographers, need to know including basic differences between how cameras and humans see, composing with light and color, seeing in black and white, and the importance of strong compositions. From there he delves into the creative process from finding inspiration to developing your vision and working on apersonal style. He also devotes a few chapters to thinking about your audience and ends with some basic manipulations for image problems.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It is full of information and requires you to extract the concepts and begin to put them in to practice. And in my mind this is precisely why it is so valuable. It requires you to read, step back, contemplate, and question. I loved for instance Alain's descriptions of the type of light one finds in the landscape. I know this light. I chase it all the time. I just never thought of it in descriptive terms. And now I don't stand in Antelope Canyon with out thinking about the concept of "air light" or chiaroscuro. There are also some excellent skills enhancement exercises laced throughout the chapters.

This book is not about Photoshop technique or RAW processing. Nor does it contain all of Alain's beautiful work. But some of it is there. And in these words and images you can begin to see how he thinks and approaches his work. And through this comes a way to think, and perhaps rethink, about your own journey. Many have commented about the books "wordiness". I would not let this deter you. It is written in the way Alain speaks. When you read it, Alain is talking to you in a calm, reflective way. In a way it is as if you are having a conversation. Personally I like this. And you don't have to read cover to cover in one sitting. In fact I don't recommend this. It is best digested and absorbed over time. And when I go back for another bite I always seem to find something new. A great addition to my library. ... Read more

Product Description

Named one of the "Best Books on Innovation, 2008" by BusinessWeek magazine

Does innovation come about by luck or hard work? Is it a flash of inspiration or the result of careful management? Are innovators born or taught? In Closing the Innovation Gap, Judith Estrin provides the answers to these and other questions critical to our future. A technology pioneer and business leader, Estrin describes what will be required to reignite the spark of innovation in business, education, and government--ensuring our long-term success in the global economy.

Customer Reviews (18)

Insightful book into innovation entropy and how to deal with it
Judy Estrin has a genuine pedigree in innovation coming from a family of innovators. Her father worked with John von Neumann (the father of modern digital computing) at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Princeton and her mother was a professor at the computer science department of UCLA.Judy has a Silicon Valley pedigree having had senior roles or been a board member at: Sun Microsystem (who build servers on which banks, telecoms providers and many [...] depended - now part of Oracle), Cisco (who pretty much are the internet infrastructure) and FedEx.

The book addresses the challenge of innovation that we currently have.

In Closing the innovation gap, I found the book to fall into three distinct sections:

* Charting the origins and progress of what I will call `innovation entropy' in the west. This talks about how the cold war was entwined with the rise and stall of innovative research that helped in creation of technology that we take for granted today: keyhole surgery, the internet, modern computers, cellular phones and CCDs (coupled-charged device which go into digital cameras.)
* The economic and cultural effects of `innovation entropy'. In this respect Estrin echoes the work of Will Hutton's The state we're in published in 1996 which I read in college. Like Hutton, Estrin is a critic of short-termism in business, the financial markets, academia and government spending. Some of this short-termism was unintentional as the law of unintended consequences kicked in due to changes in regulations that were designed to encourage innovation. A secondary factor that Estrin points out is a corresponding lack of appetite for risk - or the rise of risk management which has helped cripple long-term research which begat big innovation
* How to address `innovation entropy'. Estrin maps out the areas where educators, government, financiers and businesses need to change and collaborate on. This collaboration requires root-and-branch change

Estrin's book is powerful as she pulls together a coherent story which makes it easy to read. As a prominent person within Silicon Valley she gains access to many people who are at the head of organisations driving innovation at the present time.

Insightful and Enlightening
Other reviewers have commented that some of the ideas in this book have existed for some time, and that may be the case. However, this book does an excellent job of tying together the large concepts into a coherent read. I have had no trouble reading this book from cover to cover. The only negative comment I would make, and it is slight, is that it appears at times to align online a partisan view point. At other times, it seems anti-partisan, which is what I believe the true intent was.

This book changed the way that I look at innovation, at the role that government might play, and how to approach the day to day considerations of a startup. It is well written and edited, and it is thought provoking, which was, I believe, the intent.

Awesome Case Study On Innovation
Judy Estrin's thoughts and ideas on how to close the innovation gap should be a must read for everyone in education, government and our corporate leaders.Her overview of the history of our rise and fall in the technology sector is spot on and her recommendations to close the innovation is refreshing and makes great sense.

This book is written so well that once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down.

Eye Opener
Excellent book with a variety of clear information well presented. Its an eye opener of our economic reality.

excellent read!
My husband and I both read the book and found it very informative, inspiring and well worth the read. ... Read more

Product Description

In Software Creativity 2.0, acclaimed author Robert L. Glass explores a critical, yet strangely neglected, question: What is the role of creativity in software engineering and computer programming? With his trademark easy-to-read style and practical approach, backed by research and personal experience, Glass takes on a wide range of related angles and implications. To name only a few:

* Are discipline and formality at odds with flexibility and agility?

* When are control-driven vs. experimentation-driven approaches most effective?

* Can we "make creativity happen" in a software organization?

* Which is more important, process or product?

* How do theory and practice interact in the software field? Can practitioners and academe complement each other more effectively?

* Is there a missing link between creativity and software design?

* What is the balance of "intellectual" and "clerical" tasks in software work?

* Can we still find a place for plain old fun?

Glass's journey encompasses the concerns or programmers, designers, testers, managers, researchers, and professors, teams, organizations, and the industry at large. His deep understanding of the past informs his unique analysis of the present, and his insight gives us a view into possible futures. No mere theoretical discussion, Software Creativity 2.0 includes practical advice for how to "make creativity happen" in a software organization or team, and includes concrete evidence of practices that have worked.

Software Creativity 2.0 also features a new Foreword by Tom DeMarco, co-author of Peopleware and Waltzing With Bears, and a new Preface by author Robert L. Glass.

Customer Reviews (12)

Not for the binary Engineer
The Problem mainly with this book is that it is not aligned with the typical Software Engineer mentality, many software Engineers turn to books looking for definite answers to questions hovering in their minds..the fact is this book barely answers any questions. It is the nature of the engineer to look for binary answers. That being said is it a probelm with the book itself or the targeted audience?

To some, a good book will actually answer some of their questions, like the how to books or the academic ones, if you agree then Software Creativity 2.0 is not a good book, and you are the typical "engineer" I was talking about.

A great book will answer your questions with more questions, widening your perspective leaving the ultimate answer for you. The subjects turned in the book are very controversial, and no one, except fools, can claim to hold the correct answer for all contexts and situations. Most of the time the answer for these questions is context dependant, that is where Dr. Glass shines at his best, explaining the contexts of each possible answer for each question and the possible trade-offs, for many this is not a satisying answer, for me it's a good enough answer, and as good as it gets!

Golden rules don't exist in real life, they only exist in the minds of their holders. The book is based on the idea that if you want adopt a rule learn more about the exceptions of that rule than the rule itself, the "No silver Bullet" notion. Glass intentinally doesn't give answers, and he never actually meant to give answers in this book, read the last essay of the book when he intentially picks a "yes" answer for a multiple choice question. He only wanted to stir a conversation, a mental conversation between you and the book, you and yourself, you and and other programmers, even you and other non IT people, and hell yeah it worked for me, I have been thinking so hard since I started reading this book, and harder after I finished it.

All in all One of the best books I ever read.

IF you are the typical binary Engineer this book is not for you, you are better off reading academic or SEI articles which claim to hold the truth of it all.

It is sad that the body of engineering shifted from creative heurisitc context driven world to a world looking for silver bullers and golden rules. The reviewers comments, selling figures, and rating of this book prove my point. No wonder we why soceity looks down at us, and found the name "book smart" for us.

That being said, the answer for the question in the first paragraph is a BIG "YES".

Poor typesetting
One point not brought up by other reviewers: I think the typesetting in this book is really, really poor.

The typefaces look "cool," but for me, they obscure the text and make me tired. Also I find the font size is too large for a comfortable read. Inner margins are way too small. I am confused how it could be so messed up.

I have tons of books I want to read, unfortunately I will put this one to the end of my list, as the typesetting just doesn't make for an enjoyable reading experience.

Sorry that I can't review the content (yet), I really would have preferred that.

Mixed Bag
This is a loosely-knit collection of essays that range from the brilliant and thought-provoking to the mundane and pointless.

Glass sheds useful light on the conflict between agile methods and those which demand control - Greeks vs. Romans, in one analogy. Is more process better, or not?This is a struggle that many companies are dealing with, with proponents on both sides.I can relate well to this having worked in both types of organizations.As a longtime software practitioner, Glass naturally comes down firmly on one side of this issue, but advocating a path that is practical and useful.And I loved his question "Is programming fun?" because this is something everyone seems to have lost sight of.

A few things that I really didn't like:
* One point where the author suddenly launched into gratuitous political comments that were irrelevant to the point of the article.It's always an author's privilege to do this, but the injection of politics (or religion) into subjects like this where they have no place immediately cause me to wonder if the whole message is somehow tainted by the author's need to make more points like this.
* At another point the author recoils in horror (calling it "strange and jarring") that Watts Humphrey would cite IBM as a example of a company with strong innovation.Humphrey's book on innovation was published in 1987, when IBM was still the undisputed technology leader as it had been for 30 years, responsible for most major hardware and software innovations of that period.Although IBM today is a shadow of its former self in that regard, it still produces more patents than any other company worldwide.For Mr. Glass to dismiss IBM demonstrates either bias or shallowness of understanding on his part - perhaps his background in aerospace and academia confined him to a different part of the planet than the vast majority of actual software practitioners lived on. If so, that calls much of his opinion into question.

Despite this, and despite the varying quality of the essays, this book is still a worthwhile read, primarily for the various insights and perspectives on the topics the author does actually understand well. However, this book is NOT on the level of Mythical Man Month, regardless of what Mr. McConnell thinks.

Software Creativity =[
-==Pro's==-
-Author cites his sources.

-The author presents some new ideas, that seem to be fresh.

-The author has a good sense of humor, and in sections of the book his writing style is enjoyable.

-==Con's==-
-This book at times seems as if it goes out of its way to stir people up.

-The title and description of the book led me to believe it applied to my area of interest, however it did not.

-Some of the things I read, I just plain disagree with.

-The author gives advice based on theory, and uses anecdotes rather than facts.

-==summary==-
For the most part, the reasons I do not like this book are personal. I am a solo programmer. I work alone on small personal projects as a hobby. It seems as if there are not many programming methodologies that apply to me in this position. I had hoped that this book would have some tidbits that would prove useful for me. Early on, the book states explicitly that it is not intended to be useful for the solo programmer, but does give some recommendations on what a solo programmer could read. After reading through the first half of the book I found myself very disappointed.

The book had some disturbing views on the relation between Mathematics and Computer Science. It reads something like "There are word processors and simulators and games and software tools of various kinds, such as compilers, all of which do virtually no mathematics whatsoever.". This is a quote. I believe in the section of the book I got this from, the author is making a case for why math should not be taught as heavily (if at all) in CS courses. There might be no math in *some* games and simulators, but if there is, I have not seen it.

The author also has a strange view that I do not agree with, about the quality of a solution to complex problems. The idea is that once you have a solution that is "good enough", then its done. As long as you can call it "supportable" meaning, you can make a case for why it should not be tossed, then it is a done/acceptable solution. I do NOT agree with this. Perhaps these are the things M$ say when writing their OS, and why it is slower each new version >). I understand that one cannot optimize to infinity, but this is where the reason I'm reading the book comes in. I am programming as a hobby, so I have the luxury of spending however long it takes to find a solution that makes me happy. I do not have to settle for the first "supportable" solution.

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be flaky.

The Importance of Being Annoying
Robert Glass' essays are short, easy to read, and almost always annoying. This is a Good Thing. Software Development these days marches forward in PMO lock-step, or dances excitedly to the Agile tune, but few stop to ask questions. Like, "How much of software development is creative, or intellectual?" Or, "Is it fun anymore, and how does that matter?" I say "annoying" because the short essays (some under 5 pages, wide-margin) are too short, and often sound argumentative or know-it-all as you start reading. But that's what Glass wants -- readers who are awake. Who say, "Wait a minute! That's not right. Or that's not what I think." But then on second thought, "maybe he's got a point".

I'm reminded of an unusual lecture I heard at the The 12th Annual
International Deming Research Seminar (Fordham U., New York, Feb. 2006): "THE CHALLENGE OF BOREDOM: Problems in Defining, Measuring, and Explaining the Causes", presented by one Josh Kross. The lecture wasn't boring, but I did wonder a little at this MBA student telling us earnestly about boredom, and how hard it is to pin down a useful definition. Now I understand: we need the opposite in software development. Software managers would do well to stop and think about what "boredom" is, to avoid it for their developers, and for themselves. Only interesting, fun work will both encourage discipline, and produce devotion, productivity, and high quality. Glass is talking about the same kinds of things as he returns a second time to his topic, in Software Creativity 2.0. Annoyance has never been so well worth it. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover practical, step-by-step instructions for accurately and effectively assessing creativity with Essentials of Creativity Assessment, a guide that provides useful information about using solid theoretical and research-based evidence for creativity assessment. Quickly acquire the knowledge and skills you need to effectively assess creativity, a popular measure of cognitive ability correlated with intelligence. Receive an overview of the wide variety of assessments that can be used to gauge creativity, enabling you to select the creativity assessment method that best fits the situations, groups of people, and programs that are involved. ... Read more

Product Description
Innovation is the major driving force in organisations today. With the rise of truly global markets and the intensifying competition for customers, employees and other critical resources, the ability to continuously develop successful innovative products, services, processes and strategies is essential. While creativity is the starting point for any kind of innovation, design is the process through which a creative idea or concept is translated into reality. Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity, 2nd Edition brings these three strands together in a discussion built around a collection of up-to-date case studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Service
I highly recommend this company.My book came in on time and was in perfect condition. ... Read more

Product Description
This first book by the author of Zen and the Brain examines the role of chance in the creative process. James Austin tells a personal story of the ways in which persistence, chance, and creativity interact in biomedical research; the conclusions he reaches shed light on the creative process in any field.Austin shows how, in his own investigations, unpredictable events shaped the outcome of his research and brought about novel results. He then goes beyond this story of serendipity to propose a new classification of the varieties of chance, drawing on his own research and examples from the history of science--including the famous accidents that led Fleming to the discovery of penicillin. Finally, he explores the nature of the creative process, considering not only the environmental and neurophysiological correlates of creativity but also the role of intuition in both scientific discoveries and spiritual quests. This updated MIT Press paperback edition includes a new introduction and recent material on medical research, creativity, and spirituality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My students give Austin's book high marks
For more than ten years I taught a research design course to graduate students at Utah State University, and to help them understand how scientists create hypotheses I made Austin's (an nationally awarded researcher) "Chase, Chance, & Creativity" assigned reading, along with other books and journal articles on hypothesis creation. Consistently they reported that his book helped them most and is on par with good novels in being hard to put down. As for me, I believe "C,C,& C" will help people in all fields (artists, inventors, entrepreneurs,. . .) be more creative.I'll go so far to say to its publisher that it'll be a service to civilization to keep it in print forever. ... Read more

Product Description
This powerful book spans the realms of Jungian psychology, existential philosophy, and literary analysis to explore the relationship between addiction and creativity. By examining the lives and works of writers such as Dostoevsky, Eugene O'Neill, Jack London, and Jean Rhys, as well as the experiences of people in recovery, Linda Leonard holds out the hope that anyone bound by addiction can reclaim the power that fuels dependency for a life of joy and creativity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Deep and Wide
This book explores the human conundrum between escape and true release. Read it if you are willing to forego superficiality (addictions are superficial solutions to deep issues) and take an honest look at life's soul challenges.

Some peoples' addictions are really apparent; I struggle more with repetitive thinking patterns and behaviors and found that Leonard's excellent research, quotations, what she writes about her own experience totally apply. Very inspiring.

Highly recommended for artists, mystics, and other human beings on the way.

Best of Its Kind
Want a visceral take on addiction? Want a first hand account of real world application of Jungian technique? Want a "romantic" account in the imaginative, inventive, supernatural sense besides the usual understanding of the term? This your book

GLB

alcoholism & creativity
Never have I seen anything quite like this. This is the definitive book on creativity. & When you don't create, ahhh, the ills that befall us. We fall into an addictive pattern trying desperatedly to recreate that atonement w/God. Failing that, one either drinks, or does whatever to replicate that feeling one more time. Again & again. This book revealed the essence alcoholism. Why certain people drink or create. Simple as that. I've reread this one @ least 2x now.Enjoy your journey.

Inspiring
This is a unique and courageous book, as heartening to the artist as to the addict in each of us. It is a marvelously distilled meditation on creativity's darkness en route to the light. Leonard has deftly woven literary, spiritual, and psychological treatments of the dark night of the soul into a seamless tapestry, and found precious meaning in some of the most devastating aspects of human experience. For anyone facing their own darkness, this book is a welcome and comforting companion, an inspiring guide, and a very wise friend.

An Appreciation
This is actually an appreciation - not a literary review. I am analcoholic in recovery and have an immense gratitude to Linda for writingthis book. In her book I found answers, or rather experiences I couldrelate to, so similar and fitting to many issues burning and un-explainedwithin me. My daimon has been enriched and my recovery program enhanced asa result of reading her great work. I have become a survivor (witness) tothe road less travelled up the ladder out of the Abyss - I am no longerterrified to visit that void of darkness because I understand the burningissues of Creativity and Addiction parallels and inter-relations all thatmuch better for reading her book. I am able, daily, one step at a time, tounshackle myself as a hostage to my addiction and choose to harness mycreativity productively as a result of being a student of "Witness tothe Fire". And I am a student of her work still, and always will be,due to my acceptance of my powerlessness over my lifelong disease and myneed for every tool I can find to keep me healthy and strong. But I havechosen to let My Higher Power guide my daily existence and can thereforecope and be creative once more. Linda's book is constantly next to mybedside along with my "Big Book" and "My Recovery Book"- in daily use during my prayers and meditations. You helped save my lifeLinda - Thank You. Colin Tatham ... Read more