pbobrit's review against another edition
5.0
My first book after semester was over, and what a great one to start the summer reading binge. A really well written non-fiction exploration of how imagination and creativity works. Looking at the neurology, the biochemistry, psychology all the way up to the big picture items such as city composition can influence creative. An inspiring and engrossing read. I'd highly recommend.
quinndm's review against another edition
5.0
Insightful. Informative. And inspiring.
This book completely changed the way I - not only - approach my work, but my creative practice in general. The lessons I learned has impacted the way I tackle tasks and challenges; while also providing insight into how I can streamline the process and put myself in a position to elicit more creative 'sparks' and moments of inspiration.
The scandal that surrounds the John Lennon quotes were serious, but were totally blown out of proportion - this book should still be in print. The extent of the damage should have been to remove those quotes, or just remove the John Lennon stuff completely.
One of the very few books I will recommend to any fellow artist and creative.
This book completely changed the way I - not only - approach my work, but my creative practice in general. The lessons I learned has impacted the way I tackle tasks and challenges; while also providing insight into how I can streamline the process and put myself in a position to elicit more creative 'sparks' and moments of inspiration.
The scandal that surrounds the John Lennon quotes were serious, but were totally blown out of proportion - this book should still be in print. The extent of the damage should have been to remove those quotes, or just remove the John Lennon stuff completely.
One of the very few books I will recommend to any fellow artist and creative.
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
I am really not sure how to rate this book.
On the one hand, it was very readable with some great ideas. Some of the stories I found fascinating: the invention of masking tape, Scotch tape, and Post-Its at 3M; Yo-Yo Ma and his creative gift for music; the role of creativity in education (especially in schools like NOCCA); Shakespeare's "genius." The prose was readable and the take-home messages applicable.
But it turns out that Jonah Lehrer and this book in particular are under fire, because he fabricated (or at least misconstrued?) some quotes from Bob Dylan. Funnily enough, I didn't even like that chapter. And Lehrer's also under fire for recycling blog posts -- reposting stuff for The New Yorker that he wrote for the Wall Street Journal and Wired. You can read more about all that here.
I do think it's ironic he's getting hammered for "plagiarism" (in quotes, because should it really be called plagiarism when it's your own material?) when he blatantly discusses in the last chapter: "T.S. Eliot said it best: 'Immature poets imitate. Mature poets steal.'" He even cites Bob Dylan, of all people, as an example. (Note that I'm not necessarily condoning what he did -- I do think The New Yorker is in the right for asking him to resign -- but isn't it ironic, dontchya think??)
Another thing: there were sure a lot of swear words in this book considering it's nonfiction. I mean, really -- do we need multiple counts of the f-bomb to make a point?? For all the quote-misconstruing Lehrer did, couldn't he have edited out a few of the "choicest" quotes from his sources?? (That's a lawsuit I'd like to see! "I specifically said '!#$@&*!' You're misquoting me! I'm suing!")
Still, I hope we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one. There were a lot of great points and good stories here. And for whatever faults he has, Lehrer certainly is gifted in making neuroscience and social science accessible to the masses.
So ... three stars, I guess???
On the one hand, it was very readable with some great ideas. Some of the stories I found fascinating: the invention of masking tape, Scotch tape, and Post-Its at 3M; Yo-Yo Ma and his creative gift for music; the role of creativity in education (especially in schools like NOCCA); Shakespeare's "genius." The prose was readable and the take-home messages applicable.
But it turns out that Jonah Lehrer and this book in particular are under fire, because he fabricated (or at least misconstrued?) some quotes from Bob Dylan. Funnily enough, I didn't even like that chapter. And Lehrer's also under fire for recycling blog posts -- reposting stuff for The New Yorker that he wrote for the Wall Street Journal and Wired. You can read more about all that here.
I do think it's ironic he's getting hammered for "plagiarism" (in quotes, because should it really be called plagiarism when it's your own material?) when he blatantly discusses in the last chapter: "T.S. Eliot said it best: 'Immature poets imitate. Mature poets steal.'" He even cites Bob Dylan, of all people, as an example. (Note that I'm not necessarily condoning what he did -- I do think The New Yorker is in the right for asking him to resign -- but isn't it ironic, dontchya think??)
Another thing: there were sure a lot of swear words in this book considering it's nonfiction. I mean, really -- do we need multiple counts of the f-bomb to make a point?? For all the quote-misconstruing Lehrer did, couldn't he have edited out a few of the "choicest" quotes from his sources?? (That's a lawsuit I'd like to see! "I specifically said '!#$@&*!' You're misquoting me! I'm suing!")
Still, I hope we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one. There were a lot of great points and good stories here. And for whatever faults he has, Lehrer certainly is gifted in making neuroscience and social science accessible to the masses.
So ... three stars, I guess???
k8iedid's review against another edition
4.0
Really stinks about Lehrer's quote fabricating because this is a great book. I hope he gets a second act.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
More pop science, though the formula is getting a little tired. (It was a hot day in August when Joe Blow first discovered something counter-intuitive which I will now explain to you.) But I will keep in mind how fruitful lots of weak connections can be and how, ironically, stealing ideas can be quite productive. Poor Jonah Lehrer.
stashac13's review against another edition
There's something awesome about reading a book that is no longer sold in stores. Even if the author printed false quotes, I now feel like a rebel. :)
rwaringcrane's review against another edition
3.0
After an uncharacteristic reading hiatus, a back-to-back jag descended on me. I picked up Lehrer's book about five minutes after putting down Charles Duhigg's Power of Habit. This accounts for the three rather than four star rating. I could not help but compare the texts. I felt slightly jarred by the change in font and layout. Strange, but true. Also strange, Duhigg begins and ends his text referencing William James and Lehrer invokes his name in his introduction. Lehrer's work involves research and a variety of studies that support his thesis. He likes footnotes, not my favorite style. Once I recovered from missing Duhigg's style, I found Lehrer's smooth enough, but his tone seemed less hopeful. At first. I got over it and followed his reasoning. Creativity thinking comes from different parts of the brain and is released in different settings. I may need to move to a large city and pursue improve once again.
cathman's review against another edition
2.0
I thought there were a lot of interesting ideas in here, but didn't really put them together into any new takeaways for myself. Also, as I browsed the Goodreads page after finishing, I discovered that some of the material was falsified, which makes me suspicious of the material as a whole.