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Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques [Paperback]

Michael Michalko (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 31 July 2006 | ISBN-10: 1580087736 | ISBN-13: 978-1580087735 | Edition: 2nd Revised edition
Rethink the Way You Think
 
In hindsight, every great idea seems obvious. But how can you be the person who comes up with those ideas?
In this revised and expanded edition of his groundbreaking Thinkertoys, creativity expert Michael Michalko reveals life-changing tools that will help you think like a genius. From the linear to the intuitive, this comprehensive handbook details ingenious creative-thinking techniques for approaching problems in unconventional ways. Through fun and thought-provoking exercises, you’ll learn how to create original ideas that will improve your personal life and your business life. Michalko’s techniques show you how to look at the same information as everyone else and see something different.
 
With hundreds of hints, tricks, tips, tales, and puzzles, Thinkertoys will open your mind to a world of innovative solutions to everyday and not-so-everyday problems.

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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Ten Speed Press; 2nd Revised edition edition (31 July 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1580087736
  • ISBN-13: 978-1580087735
  • Product Dimensions: 2.1 x 19 x 23.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Michael Michalko Page
Michael Michalko
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
The first chapter in this section, "Original Spin," will help you overcome your fears, doubts, and uncertainties about creativity. Read the first page
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Author paid by the kilogram? 24 May 2012
By G. K. Taylor
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Personally I do not rate this book as highly as other reviewers. The first third of the book is quite interesting, but by the time I got half way I was beginning to wonder if the author was being paid by the word. By the end of the book I was certain he was paid by the kilogram, for the mission runs out of steam to become a gathering of mopped up bits and pieces plus any other sketchy thoughts that could be wrapped within the cover. Raw creativity becomes overcooked mush.
Nor do I like much the authors self-indulgent style which accounts for about 25% of the book weight. The book is twice the size it needs to be and as such quite boring - creative people seldom have enough time because thoughts are always going on, so even the luxury of reading inspirational books has to be carefully managed, which makes taking the time to read this book a little hard to justify. Had the author had taken the trouble to distil the content and messages it would have been better, punchier and SHORTER. My copy sits on my shelf taunting me over the amount of time I spent reading the tome. In the spirit of creative thinking I suggest readers cut the book in half: read the first half of the book and use the second half as a door jam or to keep a table level on an uneven surface.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Not usually my sort of book 26 Oct 2009
By Adam T. Cearns
Format:Paperback
I don't buy this sort of book - I work in IT and prefer 'facts'. I bought it on a whim - and have read most of it (you can dip in and out). Comes across as a sound, well crafted, non opinionated, set of scenarious on thinking outside the norms - with examples, and, it also happens to be a very good read - recommended
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Ideatoys 31 Jan 2012
By Vasos
Format:Paperback
I haven't read extensively the book. It proved not what i was looking for. Anyway i will write a couple of words, the way i saw it.
I think the book should be called "Ideatoys" because it is about techniques to help someone create ideas about new products. It is probably intended to help business people.
It seems to me mostly like a collection of techniques, where you choose the ones that fit you mostly and apply it, so you can create a new product, or a process, invent something new etc. Probably you ll have to do some more work on them on your own. There are so many techniques, with examples and a nice presentation. I think its a reference book, to get you to know all these techniques, but they are not adequately represented. So you ll have to find the ones that suit you and get deeper to them by other resources.
I didn't notice a central structure. It doesn't take you from the hand and guide you throughout any process. The chapters aren't related to each other. There is not an evaluation of all these techniques to help you choose.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A cookbook for creativity 19 Mar 2010
By Jurgen Wolff
Format:Paperback
Length: 1:51 Mins
Jurgen Wolff, author of "Creativity Now!" tells what makes this a great book to have by your side when any creative challenges arise. Creativity Now: Get Inspired, Create Ideas and Make Them Happen - Now!
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly inspirational..... 24 Jan 2008
By Nomesky
Format:Paperback
I feel compelled to put in my 'tuppence' worth about this book but in truth have very little to add to the other reviews. This book is a fantastic resource. It sets out "linear", "intuitive" and other techniques to assist in the generation of fresh ideas for business.

It actually makes the process enjoyable and I have found myself using the techniques in this book to solve business challenges, in unrelated fields, just to keep my mind fresh.

The techniques taught can also help in solving day-to-day dilemmas by helping come up with creative solutions.

A truly remarkable, and amazingly inspirational, book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Thinkertoys 12 May 2013
By Stephen Manning
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A brilliant book. Entertaining and challenging with some wonderful ideas for 'tricking' yourself to be creative (even if you don't think you can be).
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4.0 out of 5 stars great 15 Feb 2013
By Jash
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
great - a must for everyone, why wouldn't you consider this, I recommend this very whole heartdly lots and lots
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful range of thinking techniques 16 July 2010
By Amanda B
Format:Paperback
Thinkertoys provides a substantial range of tools and techniques for creative thinking, including examples of where the tool has been used and how. This makes it easy to pick up and look for a suitable approach for the issue you face and to apply that immediately.
A good compilation of lots of well-known approaches and a few more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Creative Thought
An easy read with useful techniques which will enable you to promote discussion with others or develop tasks on your own
Published 6 months ago by Lee Wright
1.0 out of 5 stars party tricks
I dislike this book intensely. I have been subjected to these sorts of tricks, drawings that can show two animals when looked at from different angles and the like, since my... Read more
Published 7 months ago by artconsumer
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Good anecdotes to get the point across and good examples of various techniques, excellent. Good side text pictures, you can just pick what you want althoug good to know the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by M. O'sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on creativity I have yet encountered
Apart from a very comprehensive set of creativity tools which are well explained, with a step by step guide, this book begins with one of the most thought provoking and insightful... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mike C
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book with easy step-by step instructions
This book gave me a lot of bright ideas. It works as it is supposed to - it makes you think in new and different ways. Read more
Published 20 months ago by ghfl75
5.0 out of 5 stars Practically Creative
You can't go wrong with books by Michael Michalko. They are a comprehensive workshop on creativity that you can tap from again and again.
Published on 2 Jan 2011 by C. J. Nyondo
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots and lots of food for thought
I originally borrowed this book from the library but had to buy it because there is so much in it and it will warrant several read-throughs and also be a good book to come back to. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by annekiely
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