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An Introduction to General Systems Thinking: Silver Anniversary Edition [Paperback]

Gerald M. Weinberg
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Book Description

15 April 2001 0932633498 978-0932633491 25 Silver anniversary ed
For more than twenty-five years, An Introduction to General Systems Thinking has been hailed as an innovative introduction to systems theory, with applications in computer science and beyond. Used in university courses and professional seminars all over the world, the text has proven its ability to open minds and sharpen thinking.

Originally published in 1975 and reprinted more than twenty times over a quarter century—and now available for the first time from Dorset House Publishing—the text uses clear writing and basic algebraic principles to explore new approaches to projects, products, organizations, and virtually any kind of system.

Scientists, engineers, organization leaders, managers, doctors, students, and thinkers of all disciplines can use this book to dispel the mental fog that clouds problem-solving. As author Gerald M. Weinberg writes in the new Preface to the Silver Anniversary Edition, "I haven't changed my conviction that most people don't think nearly as well as they could had they been taught some principles of thinking."

Now an award-winning author of nearly forty books spanning the entire software development life cycle—including The Psychology of Computer Programming: Silver Anniversary Edition and Exploring Requirements (with Donald C. Gause)—Weinberg had already acquired extensive experience as a programmer, manager, university professor, and consultant when this book was originally published.

With helpful illustrations, numerous end-of-chapter exercises, and an appendix on a mathematical notation used in problem-solving, An Introduction to General Systems Thinking may be your most powerful tool in working with problems, systems, and solutions.


Product details

  • Paperback: 279 pages
  • Publisher: Dorset House Publishing; 25 Silver anniversary ed edition (15 April 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0932633498
  • ISBN-13: 978-0932633491
  • Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 462,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A primer of good and fearless thinking. 7 July 1998
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book is a quiet little masterpiece, where its author shares his observations of his world in a personal way. With the same light touch, he also delves into the thought structures behind these observations. This is practical scientific philosophy with a folksy, conversational, almost homespun, style that never gets lost in abstractions or strays far from living examples in everyday life. Its lack of academic bluster and techo-pomposity is refreshing and informal, yet the insights have a power that cannot help but affect your own thought processes. An example ( for me) is the classification of all systems into three types: Determinate, Medium-number, and Statistical. This notion has proven to be fantastically useful over the years. Several other observations took some nerve to put into print. The net effect of the book is, at its end, also inspirational. Here is someone showing all of us how we can deal with the big, bad world in a friendly, humourous, courageous, and empowered way.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars a classic but not as specific as I'd like 4 Jan 2005
By A Customer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The principles of general systems thinking are explained well, but I'd have liked some case studies of how this has been applied. It all sound good and has explained some things I hadn't previously understood but ultimately I was left looking for more. There is another book on the topic by Weinberg so maybe I need to read it too.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-READ for any profession 13 April 1999
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
If I had to select a book that has influenced my thinking most, it would be this one. This book alone spurred my interest in Systems Research, and is one that I have gone back to re-read many times.

Gerald Weinberg has taken the essence of General Systems Theory and formatted it for the masses. His insight into the methodology, and his ability to combine humor with explanation makes this a must-read in the field. While many of the examples are programming-based, that does not detract from the usefullness of this work.

The publisher needs to understand the importance of this work, and put it back into print!

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