Interesting and fun read about the science of creativity. From the "Unconcealing" to "Urban Friction", it's a fascinating look at how creativity works. The author makes it a quick and easy read too with lots of examples. ( )

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. ( )

Alas, due to the author's intellectual dishonesty, I can't tell whether the book's brilliant, well-researched parts are false. Certainly, there is enough of the book that is clearly not well-researched and sensational to frustrate me. ( )

creativity ( )

“Imagine,” besides being a terrific John Lennon song, is a great book about creativity, insight, imagination and how we get and develop ideas. If you ever have had an “ah-ha” moment, if the solution to some problem you have been thinking about for some time suddenly comes to you or if you have come up with an idea that is new, original an exciting, this book explains how that happens in your brain, how the brain’s two hemispheres work together to solve problems and provide insight.
This book has to talk about the brain, parts of the brain and how the brain functions, but since it is written by a lay man instead of a scientist or professor, it is written so that anyone can understand it.
The book deals with all types of creative thought, both on a personal and individual basis, or a small group basis, in larger groups and communities and even in whole cities and nations. It tell how minds work together to create unique new ideas and how even bustling cities contribute to creative thought under the right circumstances.
Moreover, it gives guidance in how to put the tools it discusses to good use.
Sometimes I struggle to keep going with some books of non-fiction and sometimes I take far too long to read them, “attacking” them in small chunks over long periods of time. That was not the case with this book. It grabbed me from the start, used stories and anecdotal information to keep me going and fascinating me with its often counterintuitive research-based conclusions,
It is an interesting read and will leave any reader better informed and more able to use his/her own creative powers by applying ideas fro this book.
It is a “good read.” ( )