Books matching: creative thinking
100 result(s)
A fun, practical toolkit for unlocking creativity - best for those ready to get hands-on and explore new ways of thinking. Dive in if you want actionable techniques to spark fresh ideas!
Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko is a dynamic handbook filled with practical creative-thinking techniques. It offers exercises geared toward solving problems, enhancing creativity, and encouraging users to explore unique approaches. The book is structured into four parts: Linear Thinkertoys, Intuitive Thinkertoys, Group Thinkertoys, and Endtoys, each containing various strategies, brainteasers, and insightful examples from notable thinkers like Edison and the CIA. Readers will find that the approachable writing style, combined with visual puzzles and engaging anecdotes, makes for an enjoyable and stimulating read.
The writing style is casual and inviting, sparking curiosity in readers of all backgrounds. Michalko encourages hands-on application of the concepts, insisting that practicing the techniques is key to improving creativity. With its abundance of methods and simplicity in instructions, the book has proven to be a long-standing favorite among educators, professionals, and casual readers looking to enhance their creative problem-solving skills.
November 1991- #2
Save:A playful, accessible, and enduring guide that helps unlock creativity through simple but powerful mental exercises - especially great for anyone wanting to freshen their thinking or spark innovation.
'Whack on the Side of the Head' by Roger Von Oech is a classic and engaging read that aims to unleash inner creativity in individuals. It provides quirky drawings, fun facts, and exercises to help readers break through mental locks and think differently. is structured around 10 mental locks that hinder creativity, encouraging readers to challenge conventional thinking and explore new perspectives. Readers have praised the book for its thought-provoking content, actionable advice, and practical exercises that stimulate creative thinking.
The author, Roger Von Oech, is commended for his deep understanding of creativity concepts and his ability to explain them in a simple and humorous manner. is filled with examples, stories, and exercises that make it an enjoyable and enlightening read for individuals of all ages. Von Oech's writing style is described as rich, inspiring, and engaging, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their creative thinking skills.
In 1792, the court musicians of Franz Joseph Haydn’s orchestra were mad because their Duke had promised them a vacation, but continually had postponed it. They asked Haydn to talk to the Duke about ge...1973•140 pages - #3
Save:A classic toolkit for creative problem-solving that expands how you see challenges - best read slowly and practiced over time for maximum impact.
'Lateral Thinking' by Edward de Bono introduces readers to the concept of lateral thinking, contrasting it with vertical thinking and emphasizing the importance of breaking free from existing patterns to foster creativity. Through practical examples and exercises, De Bono guides readers on how to apply lateral thinking in various aspects of life, encouraging them to explore unconventional ideas and solutions. The book's structure involves short, easy-to-read chapters that offer techniques and strategies to stimulate creative thinking and inspire innovative approaches to problem-solving.
The practical aspect of the book does get more complex as one proceeds through the book (this is apart from the background material intended for the teacher). In general the first part of the practica...1967•274 pages - #4
Save:A thrilling, clear-eyed inside look at one of NASA's greatest feats - perfect for tech-lovers, science fans, and anyone hungry for tales of human ingenuity. Highly recommended!
Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity's Chief Engineer by Rob Manning is a captivating account of the challenges and triumphs faced by the team behind the Mars Curiosity mission. The book delves into the intricacies of engineering solutions, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the cultural aspects surrounding the mission, providing a balance between technical details and human experiences. Manning's writing style seamlessly weaves together the logic behind the decisions made during the mission, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible feat of landing a rover on Mars.
Through a mix of storytelling and technical insights, Manning brings to life the emotional rollercoaster of the Curiosity mission, from the intense planning and budgetary meetings to the nail-biting moments of the rover's descent onto the Martian surface. Readers are taken on a journey of dedication, ingenuity, and collaboration as the team overcomes obstacles to achieve the groundbreaking success of the mission. The book not only details the challenges faced in sending a rover to Mars but also highlights the spirit of exploration and the power of teamwork in achieving monumental goals in space exploration.
Spacemen have landed on Earth. Invaders from Mars are pouring off their space ships, spreading death and destruction. The creatures from Mars are “wriggling, glistening like wet leather, their faces i...October 2014•240 pages A clever, visually delightful, and humor-filled spin on explaining how things work, though the stripped-down language is more fun and challenging than truly educational. Great for science and language nerds, not-so-great for pedants or those wanting precise terminology.
"Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words" by Randall Munroe is a unique book that uses simple line drawings and basic vocabulary to explain complex objects and concepts, ranging from everyday items like pencils to intricate systems like nuclear power plants. The writing style is playful and humorous, making intimidating scientific topics more accessible to readers of all ages. The book challenges readers to think differently about familiar objects and encourages a fun exploration of science and technology through cleverly simplified explanations.
CONTROL area This area in the middle holds information about how to make the different parts of your body. It writes this information in notes and sends them out into the bag. Bags make more bags by b...November 2015•64 pages- #6
Save:A fast, energizing read that’s perfect if you want a motivational kick to get to work - but its spiritual vibe and sweeping claims won’t be for everyone.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a motivational text that delves into the concept of Resistance, which is portrayed as the enemy to achievement and creativity. Divided into three sections, the book discusses how one can combat Resistance by turning professional and emphasizes the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield uses humor and personal anecdotes to encourage readers to tap into their creative potential and take action to fulfill their purpose.
June 2002•196 pages - #7
Save:"The Art of Noticing" by Rob Walker is a unique and engaging book that offers 131 exercises and provocations to help readers spark creativity, find inspiration, and discover joy in everyday life. The book encourages readers to pay attention to the world around them, providing tasks of varying difficulty levels that push them to be more present and aware. Walker categorizes the exercises into five chapters - Looking, Sensing, Going Places, Connecting with Others, and Being Alone - offering a diverse range of activities to help readers counter distraction and rediscover their sense of creativity and wonder. The writing style is described as fresh, original, and inspiring, with a playful approach that treats observation as a game of awareness rather than a stern lecturing.
This exercise lacked an obvious point. I’m interested in the proliferation of surveillance technology, but on this trip, I was not conducting research. I just wanted to inject some novelty into the wa...May 2019•256 pages An inspiring and hands-on guide for anyone looking to make creativity a daily habit, not just a fleeting burst. Come for the practical wisdom, stay for the encouragement - just beware a few repetitive notes.
Sixteen years after publication, Twyla Tharp's 'The Creative Habit' remains a valuable guide for creatives. Tharp breaks down the process of creation as an act of sheer will backed up by discipline. She emphasizes the importance of setting up one's life to make creativity a habit, offering practical exercises and insights drawn from her own experiences as a choreographer. Tharp's writing style blends practical advice with a spiritual context, urging readers to harness their memories, organize their materials, and maintain optimism in their creative pursuits.
'The Creative Habit' is not just a book about choreography, but a practical guide for anyone seeking to unleash their creativity. Tharp's emphasis on hard work, preparation, and sustained effort resonates with readers across various creative domains. Through personal anecdotes and real-world examples, she aims to convince readers that creativity is attainable for anyone willing to put in the necessary work. Tharp's writing style is encouraging and inventive, guiding readers through the process of finding inspiration, overcoming creative blocks, and cultivating a creative mindset.
a large white room. It’s a dance studio in midtown Manhattan. I’m wearing a sweatshirt, faded jeans, and Nike cross-trainers. The room is lined with eight-foot-high mirrors. There’s a boom box in the...October 2003•257 pagesA fun, fast, and energizing read - Steal Like an Artist isn't about mind-blowing revelations, but about kickstarting your creative engine. Great for sparking action and reminding you that you don’t have to be a genius to make something that matters.
"Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative" by Austin Kleon is a concise and simple guide on how to enhance creativity. It provides practical advice and tips on sparking creativity and overcoming obstacles in the creative process. is filled with simple drawings and handwritten notes that make the content easily digestible and relatable. Readers found the book to be a quick read, yet impactful, offering insights on how to unleash one's creative potential.
2010•164 pages- #10
Save:A motivational and visually engaging entry into the world of mind mapping - ideal for beginners, educators, or productivity enthusiasts, but may feel underwhelming for seasoned users or those seeking advanced techniques.
The Mind Map Book by Barry Buzan and Tony Buzan introduces the concept of Radiant Thinking and Mind Maps, highlighting how it can enhance creativity, memory, concentration, thinking skills, and study skills. The book delves into the idea that developing skills in areas where one is weak can strengthen the whole brain, leading to a more comprehensive and efficient thought process. It emphasizes the external expression of Radiant Thinking through Mind Maps, which radiate from a central image and create branching patterns of association, representing a multi-dimensional reality encompassing space, time, and color.
The book is a classic and practical guide that not only explains the concept of Mind Mapping but also provides detailed instructions on how to apply Radiant Thinking in various intellectual tasks such as decision making, note-taking, creative thinking, and improving memory and imagination. It combines a mix of theoretical concepts about brain functions and practical applications of Mind Maps, making it a valuable resource for individuals looking to enhance their cognitive abilities and organizational skills.
1993•320 pages
