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The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything [Paperback]

Ken Robinson , Lou Aronica
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
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Book Description

7 Jan 2010

The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. It is here that people feel most themselves, inspired and able to achieve at their highest levels.

In this ground-breaking book, world renowned creativity expert Ken Robinson identifies a crisis in education and business: whether it's a child bored in class, a disillusioned or misused employee or someone who feels frustrated but can't quite explain why, too many people don't realize what they are capable of achieving.

Through stories of people - like Vidal Sassoon, Ariana Huffington and Matt Groening - who have recognized their unique talents and been able to make a successful living doing what they love, Robinson argues that age and occupation are no barrier and explains how it is possible for each one of us to reach our element.

With a wry sense of humour, Ken Robinson inspires us, above all, to reconnect with our true self - it could just change everything.


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The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything + Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative + Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today: Education - Our Children - Their Futures
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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (7 Jan 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0141045256
  • ISBN-13: 978-0141045252
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.7 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

With a crackling wit and a deep humanity, (Ken Robinson) urges us to ignore the naysayers, bypass the crowd and find the place where our talents and desires intersect (Daniel Pink, Author Of A Whole New Mind )

A book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it (Susan Jeffers, Author Of Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway )

Happiness really is within your grasp (Guardian )

The Element gives you the feeling that all is possible if we dig deeply within ourselves, using our imaginations and curiosity (Vidal Sassoon )

About the Author

Ken Robinson is an internationally recognised leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources. He has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia, international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, national and state education systems, non-profit organisations and some of the world's leading cultural organisations. He was knighted in 2003 for his contribution to education and the arts.

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a self-help instruction manual! 24 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hi,

I'm writing this review because some people here seem to have bought it thinking it was a self-help manual. I guess the title is a little misleading.

What it is is a collection of anecdotes about people who have found their element - a passion for doing something that makes an hour feel like five minutes. To get an idea of what this book is about, do a web search for Ken Robinson. He's done two presentations for TED.com (Technology, Education and Design) and a fantastic animated presentation about our current education systems and the crisis that's been facing them for the past 30 or so years.

This book will give you marvellous insights what creativity is and into the lives and life-changing moments in creative people's lives. Just don't expect it to give you step by step instructions on how to find your element because there aren't any - everyone is different and everyone finds their element in a different way, sometimes by a very round-about route. If you understand this book, you'll know what you have to do.

I hope this helps! :)
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69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring book 13 Mar 2009
Format:Hardcover
I realy enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson's book which is highly readable and talks about the concept of finding one's true calling in life (which he says, is the point at which one's talents overlap with one's highest passions - 'the Element'). This he does, through the telling of people's stories. It is inspiring stuff for those who want to believe the quote from Confucius - "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life". The book introduces the topic wonderfully although readers should be aware that there is little within the book about how to actually go about pursuing your dreams, although I am sure this was intentionally outside the scope of the book (for that I'd refer people to Marcus Buckingham's excellent book 'Go put your strengths to work' and his video podcast with Oprah which is free on iTunes).

My one gripe (which is minor), is that the stories are all about immensely successful people (e.g.Paul McCartney, Matt Groening) which are amazing but it might of been nice to see a few 'real people' stories where people successfully pursued their passions and found happiness but weren't necessarily world beaters. If anyone interested in the book hasn't yet seen Sir Ken's TED talk I'd thoroughly recommend that you view in on YouTube.
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67 of 69 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining speaker, very disappointing book 1 Jun 2010
Format:Hardcover
Having seen Ken Robinson's talks on TED, I felt motivated to check out his book. I found what he had to say was both entertaining and inspirational, and I felt inclined to find out more.

Well, what of the book? I can suppose why many people gave it 4 and 5 stars. We all enjoy a good story. I do, and at first I did genuinely find the stories interesting and inspirational, but here the author uses a story to put forward even the smallest idea. By the time I was half way through I felt myself getting weary. The point itself seemed lost.
But there aren't just success stories. There are other kinds of stories, some of which really seem like digressions for the sake of a story, until at last it arrives on a wispy point, a brief bridge before, god help me, another story. I'm sorry to say there's little substance to this.

I loved hearing the Author speak on TED and in this book he describes speaking as his personal 'element', he explains that when you're in your 'element', time seems to slow down. This could explain how he got the bulk of this 288 page book's message in to a 20 minute talk.

If you are happy to read lots of stories about people finding their inspiration, get this book. If you are looking to be pointed toward finding your own inspiration, don't bother.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
this book is a useful guide to accepting the fact that "it takes all sorts to maske a world" However there is a TED video on youtube
which is a lecture by the author... Read more
Published 7 days ago by J HARRISON
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
I admire Ken Robinson. Everything that he talks about in his book has a lot of sense. I wish that the same approach was used back when I was in School, it would make my life so... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Nas
3.0 out of 5 stars As simple as ABC
I love this author's talks so figured I'd check out the book. It's okay and has sound advice. I found it a bit too over-simplified with little depth compared to similar self-help... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Annette
5.0 out of 5 stars Paperback
Bought to replace the same book that had been damaged because of a burst pipe. Was as expected. Arrived very promptly .well packaged and in good condition.
Published 1 month ago by Missylizzy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
For anyone who doesn't know what they want to do with their life, it's a fantastic book. It won't give you all the answers, but it might explain a few things. Read more
Published 1 month ago by H Rowe
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential for educators
A thought-provoking book for anyone involved in educating young people. There is a very clear message to educators that by over looking many different types of intelligences, we... Read more
Published 2 months ago by rebecca archibald
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting insight into being in your element
Robinson makes some insightful points on how to find your life purpose as well as dispelling the myth that people are born with genius and instead it really comes down to applying... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Caomhinb
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Powerful
I found the beginning very explosive and engaging. Not finished reading yet as I am not only reading but also utilising the techniques.

Starting to see results already. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Oladejib
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read
I saw Ken Robinson first on Ted.com and thought he gave both a funny and inspiring talk, which lead me to read this book. I was really inspired by this book too. Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Lawson
3.0 out of 5 stars Awesome speaker, very average book
So fond am i of ken robinson, i really wanted this to be better. I wish he'd have detailed the lives of more ordinary people who are in their 'Element', instead of focussing... Read more
Published 3 months ago by robhdg
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