Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
by Michael Michalko
List Price:
Our Price: $10.19
You Save: $9.80 (49%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.23 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Michael MichalkoEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-06-08
ISBN: 1580087736
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Book Reviews of Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
Book Review: Together with 'Cracking Creativity'...dynamic duo...consider them among the best in the genre!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I encountered 'Thinkertoys' it was actually the first edition released during the early 90's, when it was also about the time I began to explore the various options with regard to my mid-life transition. In fact, I had initially spotted an interesting review in the Entrepreneur magazine.
I managed to trace the publisher & had immediately ordered the first 100 copies for my debut bookstore. It became the best seller in my store for many years. Then came 'Cracking Creativity' a few years later as well as the accompanying brainstorming card deck, Thinkpak, to 'Thinkertoys'.
What impressed me most is not so much the creativity tools outlined in both books. In fact, the most productive learning experiences I got out of both books are a few very important things, which I would like to share with readers.
Let's take a look at Thinkertoys. In the Introduction, the author started off with a visual puzzle: 'Can you identify the figure below?'
Only by shifting your focus, you can then see the hidden word within the figure.
In the author's own words, "...by changing your perspectives, you can expand your possibilities..."
Let's move to 'Cracking Creativity'. In the Introduction, the author introduced a simple arithmetic equation: What is half of thirteen?
The subsequent passages as outlined in Part I: Seeing What No One else in Seeing, & Strategy I: Knowing How to See, by the author revealed the secrets to getting many possible answers (or perspectives) to the above equation.
No creativity tool outlined in the above two books (or elsewhere in the world, for that matter) can help you to become more creative until you fully understand - & appreciate - what the author is trying to drive home in his two books.
In a nut shell, it basically boils down to one important thing: Use - & enhance - your power of vision! or power of observation!
The author may not be the first person to postulate this crucial aspect of creativity.
I would consider Leonardo da Vinci to be the first person to have understood & practised it religiously. He said, among a few other things, LEARN TO SEE THE WORLD. In fact, he put a lot of emphasis on using your senses, especially your sense of sight.
Edward de Bono had also broached this valuable concept in his groundbreaking series of lateral thinking books, starting with 'Mechanism of Mind' in the 70's.
I have always believed that you can't do things differently until you can see things differently.
Learning to see the world anew & from different perspectives is imperative if one wants to be more creative.
According to de Bono, creativity starts at the perceptual stage of thinking. He terms it, First Order Thinking. He added very beautifully: "This is where our perceptions & concepts are formed, & this is where they have to be changed. Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic."
The creativity tools, whether they are from the author's books or elsewhere, will then automaticlaly fall into place & make more sense when you have first exercised your power of vision or observation.
Using any tool is a piece of cake, but changing one's perception - & maintaining fluidity of perception as well as having multiple perceptions - takes concerted efforts.
It is also important to take note that when things (or tactics) don't seem to work out as planned, always remember to check out your observations of the world first. Simply ask:
- what do you CHOOSE to see?
- where do you DIRECT your attention?
The second most productive learning experience I got from the above two books is realising that all thoughts are simply feats of association &/or juxtapositions - & the crux of creativity (in fact, also learning) are making associations &/or juxtapositions. [Tom Peters, in his wonderful book, Liberation Management, drives home with this insightful nugget: "The essence of creation - in all endeavours - is chance connections between ideas and facts that are previously segregated. Entrepreneurship is the direct by-product of chance, of convoluted connections among ideas, needs and people." According to Leonardo da vinci, everything is connected to everything else. My question: CAN YOU SEE IT?] The creativity tools outlined by the author are specifically designed for this purpose.
The third most productive learning experience for me is understanding the differential between productive & reproductive thinking. To paraphrase the author: "...in productive thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can, considering the least as well as the most likely approaches...in contrast, reproductive thinking fosters rigidity of thought..." More relevant aspects about the significance of & more specific strategies to develop productive thinking are excellently covered by the author in 'Cracking Creativity'.
To end this review, & in the light of what I have written, I would consider the author's two books as the dynamic duo...to be among the best in the genre!
Summary of Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
Rethink the Way You ThinkIn hindsight, every great idea seems obvious. But how can you be the person who comes up with those ideas?
In this revised and expanded edition of his groundbreaking Thinkertoys, creativity expert Michael Michalko reveals life-changing tools that will help you think like a genius. From the linear to the intuitive, this comprehensive handbook details ingenious creative-thinking techniques for approaching problems in unconventional ways. Through fun and thought-provoking exercises, you?ll learn how to create original ideas that will improve your personal life and your business life. Michalko?s techniques show you how to look at the same information as everyone else and see something different.
With hundreds of hints, tricks, tips, tales, and puzzles, Thinkertoys will open your mind to a world of innovative solutions to everyday and not-so-everyday problems.
Creativity Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Creativity Books
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creativeby Roger von Oech
Business Plus; Published: 1998-12-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.87
Price in other shops:
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Dayby Michael J. Gelb
Dell; Published: 2000-02-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops:
Source Imagery: Releasing the Power of Your Creativityby Sandra G. Shuman
Doubleday; Published: 1989-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.74
Price in other shops:
On Becoming an Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativityby Ellen J. Langer
Ballantine Books; Published: 2006-03-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.67
Price in other shops:
Leaving a Trace: On Keeping a Journalby Alexandra Johnson
Back Bay Books; Published: 2002-01-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.35
Price in other shops:
Understanding Writer's Block: A Therapist's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatmentby Martin Kantor M.D.
Praeger; Published: 1995-12-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $99.00
Price in other shops:
Changing the World: A Framework for the Study of Creativityby David Henry Feldman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Howard Gardner
Praeger Paperback; Published: 1994-04-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Mental Leaps: Analogy in Creative Thoughtby Keith J. Holyoak, Paul Thagard
The MIT Press; Published: 1994-12-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $104.64
Chase, Chance, and Creativity: The Lucky Art of Noveltyby James H. Austin
Columbia Univ Pr; Published: 1978-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $98.42
Genius and Eminence: The Social Psychology of Creativity and Exceptional Achievement (International series in experimental social psychology)Pergamon Pr; Published: 1983-06; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Noticeby Todd Henry
Portfolio Hardcover; Published: 2011-07-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.61
Price in other shops:
Creative Whack Packby Roger Von Oech
New Age; United States Games Systems; Published: 1989-11; Cards; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisionsby John S. Hammond, Ralph L. Keeney, Howard Raiffa
Crown Business; Published: 2002-03-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.86
Price in other shops:
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Dayby Michael J. Gelb
Dell; Published: 2000-02-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops:
Six Thinking Hatsby Edward de Bono
Back Bay Books; Published: 1999-08-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.77
Price in other shops:
Creativity Workout: 62 Exercises to Unlock Your Most Creative Ideasby Edward De Bono
Ulysses Press; Published: 2008-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.23
Price in other shops:
Creative Thinkering: Putting Your Imagination to Workby Michael Michalko
New World Library; Published: 2011-09-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.70
Price in other shops:
Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Geniusby Michael Michalko
Ten Speed Press; Published: 2001-06-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.71
Price in other shops:
Thinkpak: A Brainstorming Card Deckby Michael Michalko
Ten Speed Press; Published: 2006-06-01; Cards; Book
Best price: $10.37
Price in other shops:
Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakersby Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo
O'Reilly Media; Published: 2010-07-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: