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Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity
 
 

Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity [Kindle Edition]

Edward de Bono
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Review

If more bankers and traders had read Lateral Thinking and applied the ideas of Edward de Bono to their own narrow definitions of risk, reward and human expectations, I suspect we would be in much better shape than we are. (Sir Richard Branson )

Product Description

In schools we are taught to meet problems head-on: what Edward de Bono calls 'vertical thinking'. This works well in simple situations - but we are at a loss when this approach fails. Lateral thinking is all about freeing up your imagination.

Through a series of special techniques, in groups or working alone, Edward de Bono shows us how to look at problems from a variety of angles and in so doing offer up solutions that are as ingenious as they are effective. After reading this book you will become a much more productive and formidable thinker.


Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 847 KB
  • Print Length: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (12 Nov 2009)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B002XHNM8K
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #30,891 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this book twenty years ago. The book is not easy to read cover to cover, as has been mentioned by another reviewer, but it is worth working through it. The text often smacks of the evangelical preacher, as do many modern management texts, but the techniques do work. You don't have to buy into the pop psychology, just treat the techniques as tools. The techniques are covered quite briefly, and to make them work in practise takes some effort. This is not going to turn you into a creative genius overnight.

For example De Bono covers brainstorming in some detail, but in my experience in a design consultancy the real secret to successful brainstorming is in the selection of the brainstorm team. No advice on this delicate subject is present in the edition that I read (1969). I found that a sense of humour was essential in all brainstorm team members, as a good sense of the absurd and a willingness to appear a complete as can spark off really good ideas in others.

All in all this *is* a little gem. As far as I can tell all of his subsequent books simply expand and develop the ideas contained in this book. The most useful aspect is in being able to recognise the state of mind where ideas just pop into your head, and in being able to put yourself in a state where this will happen. Some techniques will work for you, some will not. Personally I now use other methods than those listed in the book, but I may not have developed my own way of working without reading this book first.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Management Education 29 May 2007
Format:Paperback
This is the first De Bono book I read, I have used many of the examples contained in the book to change Management thinking. These Ideas coupled with systems thinking and lean make a powerful combination for kicking old mindsets into touch.

It contains excellent games to demonstrate how our thinking locks us into old solutions. I found the book facinating and still use much of the material in my management education classes today. I recommend reading most of his work. It will always make you think.
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97 of 109 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Written in a very formal style and aimed at the teacher of lateral thinking rather than the student. I pushed ahead with it despite my misgivings in the hope that I could distill the essential techniques and practices from the teaching-aid text- Unfortunately the turgid style overwhelmed my interest and I gave up reading the book two-thirds in, not through lack of interest but because reading it was becoming hard work. In it's defence the introduction to the book advises the reader not to attempt a cover-to-cover read, rather to dip into it as required but I wanted to gain a rapid instruction in the subject in order to put the techniques into practice. I believe that I was able to fulfil some of my goals but the whole experience was unsatisfactory.
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Popular Highlights

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&quote;
Vertical thinking is used to dig the same hole deeper. Lateral thinking is used to dig a hole in a different place. &quote;
Highlighted by 33 Kindle users
&quote;
Vertical thinking is concerned with proving or developing concept patterns. Lateral thinking is concerned with restructuring such patterns (insight) and provoking new ones (creativity). &quote;
Highlighted by 24 Kindle users
&quote;
Vertical thinking is selective, lateral thinking is generative. &quote;
Highlighted by 19 Kindle users

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