Customer Reviews

Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius

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I'm glad people like Michalko are out there studying creativity and trying to organize their findings in books of this sort. But I am struck by a very odd thing: If these guys have figured out how creative people do their thing, why haven't they figured out how to become creative themselves?

Instead, these "creativity experts" strike me as being like someone who would write a sex advice book without having much sexual experience himself. I would be more impressed by one of these guys if he had turned himself around from lesser to greater creativity through the use of the techniques he describes, as evidenced through patents for commerically successful inventions, or something like that. The whole point of offering self-help advice is that one can demonstrate that he knows what he is talking about.

I've been looking for years for the right book that would provide practical advice that is historically founded. This is it. Michael provides the techniques with the histories of the techniques as to how geniuses have profited from them throughout history. This is, without question, the best book on creative thinking that I have ever read. Bar none.

Look, when I was growing up one of my math teachers gave a diagnosis to each student. She said "you are an A+ student, you are a C+ student and you are a B- student. You will be that way all your life". Well the thinking then is that we were were genetically patterened to think at certain levels and they could not be expected to change. I actually believed my teacher for many years after that and when I only received B grades I did not expect better. Then comes along reseachers like Michalko who show that being creative is not genetic but a learned skill in itself that everyone may apply to his work and life. "Cracking Creativity" was one of the books I read before I published my own books on learning strategies and being creative. I also use the techniques in the book to train children with learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia to empower them to compensate for their problems by actually thinking better. Thanks
The Author of BEING IN CONTROL- Natural Techniques For Increasing Your Potential And Creativity For Success In School. and Creative Painting For The Young Artist.

Michael Michalko' companion volume to 'Thinkertoys' is highly recommended. The author hosts a guided tour through strategies and tactics designed to challenge, and ultimately enlighten us all. There are relevant examples and illustrations. There are cogent observations from the creators themselves. And there is much, much more. This book can be properly viewed as a paradigm for creative thinking.

I have read many books on creativity and creative thinking techniques. "Cracking Creativity"is not only the best book on creative thinking I have ever read it also has research that clearly explains the thinking strategies that the creative geniuses throughout history used to get their ideas. After explaining the strategy, Michalko provides practical creative thinking techniques, based on the strategy, to help you generate the ideas you need. It's fantastic. I am just reading it for the second time. I would highly recommended it to anyone who wants or needs to become more creative.

I love this book. I cannot even begin to tell you the difference it has made in my life. I now feel alive and whole for the first time in years.

This book has taught me how to focus on information in a different way and how to use different ways to interpret what I'm focusing on. It's opened my eyes to the wondrous world of my own potentiality. I can't believe how much more alive I am now after this book.

This is the book that I've searched for my whole teaching career. As a teacher of creative thinking to graduate business students I find this book to be priceless. It's now required reading for all my classes.

One of the most stimulating books that I have read. The analogies are so apt. Michael Michalko has revealed a process about creativity that enables anyone to become creative, unlike so many teachers who feel genius is abstract and unreachable. Absolutely outstanding.

This is the book about creativity that changed by beliefs and attitudes about genius and creativity. It has changed the way I think profoundly. I've purchased copies and gifted them to all my friends and family. It is wonderful.