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cinnachick's review against another edition
3.0
Despite the dust-up over the inaccuracy of the Bob Dylan quotes, I found this to be an interesting read. I admit I doubt a significant portion of the facts after finding out that he'd made up quotes, but the general ideas were interesting and I think the overall thoughts behind this book are valid and worth investigating and considering, even if Jonah Lehrer is unable to create a truly factual book.
palliem's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book; the only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was that the second half of the book, which focused on creativity and the group, seemed far less original than the first half. We've all heard about the amazing companies with their revolutionary approaches to creativity that are chronicled in some of the later chapters--Pixar and the firms of Silcon Valley are the biggest focus--and while the information was interesting, it just didn't feel quite as new or revolutionary.
That does not, however, stop this from being a fascinating book. I particularly liked the early chapters on the brain and how creativity works on a biological level; the bits focusing on poets and their drug habits (and the reasons for them) as well as the relationship between bipolar disorder and creativity were particularly interesting, as was the later chapter on Elizabethan England and historical time periods that produce an "excess of genius."
I repeatedly found myself stopping what I was reading to go describe some amazing new idea to my husband (who good naturedly listened) and I can't give a book any higher praise than this: it made me want to talk about it.
That does not, however, stop this from being a fascinating book. I particularly liked the early chapters on the brain and how creativity works on a biological level; the bits focusing on poets and their drug habits (and the reasons for them) as well as the relationship between bipolar disorder and creativity were particularly interesting, as was the later chapter on Elizabethan England and historical time periods that produce an "excess of genius."
I repeatedly found myself stopping what I was reading to go describe some amazing new idea to my husband (who good naturedly listened) and I can't give a book any higher praise than this: it made me want to talk about it.
sheilabookworm3369's review against another edition
4.0
Actually listened to the audio book - it's awesome. This book is informative, well paced, and, even better, entertaining!
birdy1luv's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a while ago, but I remember liking it. Especially the architecture of Pixar, how it was formed to allow for increased unintentional interactions with employees.
alexandriatp's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say that I like this book just as much as I like the cover, a lot! I felt it was very helpful at making me realize all the small things I can do to enhance my creativity. It's also inspiring because you are coming up with all kinds of new reasons and ways to make yourself do something you may have been stuck in or can't get started.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for ways to boost their creativity or just to simply get themselves out of a rut. So glad I picked this book up! Such a big help!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for ways to boost their creativity or just to simply get themselves out of a rut. So glad I picked this book up! Such a big help!
jsaul3165's review against another edition
5.0
I know there is a plagiarism controversy over this book, but it was still really interesting. I hope most of it turns out to be true.
damc's review against another edition
2.0
knowing that lehrer plagiarized parts of the book made me a bit suspicious of everything he had to say; perhaps what made most of the ideas palatable is the fact that they are intuitive and/or not entirely new. nevertheless, the (split infinitive riddled) prose was easily readable.
kmrose's review against another edition
2.0
Although the content was interesting, it was hard for me to stay interested enough to finish it. I read this knowing that the author was recently found to have made up some of the quotes from Bob Dylan in the book. I don't think the quotes really added much to what he was trying to say about creativity. Interesting concepts, but not enough for me to give a raving review.
ashleyozery's review against another edition
2.0
I started this book in 2012 and then put it down for some reason. Picked it up and finished it this week. When I added it on Goodreads, I saw that it was pulled from publication in 2012 for falsifying quotes and other info... so now I'm not sure how to rate it, not knowing what was falsified and what wasn't. Either way, the book has a lot of interesting points about what fosters creativity and why some places (e.g. Silicon Valley, Elizabethean London) output more innovation than others.
I can't say that I'd recommend it, though, since it's been pulled from publication. I probably would not have finished it had I known!
I can't say that I'd recommend it, though, since it's been pulled from publication. I probably would not have finished it had I known!
oedipa_maas's review against another edition
1.0
http://www.themillions.com/2012/07/too-much-imagining.html
What a hack.
What a hack.