De Bono's Thinking Course, Revised Edition
by Edward de Bono
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Book Reviews of De Bono's Thinking Course, Revised Edition
Book Review: A collection of skills rather than a well-organised course
Summary: 3 Stars
If you can read this book through, the one thing that may really stick in your mind should be the large number of acronyms brought forth by the author:-
PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting)
APC (Alternatives, Possibilities, Choices)
CAF (consider all factors)
C&S (Consequence & Sequel)
EBS (examine both sides)
ADI (Agreement, Disagreement, Irrelevance)
OPV (Other People's Views)
etc etc, all skills supposed to enhance readers' ability to think, to jump out of perceptions and patterns of thinking that the author regards as the biggest block against our creativity. Ironically, the author had reserved only 18 pages for his renowned "Laternal Thinking", that he had gone thru related methods of "Stepping Stone" (treat an idea of its movement value instead of just its judgement value), "Escape" (think of alternatives for things we take for granted) and "Random stimulation" (open ourselves to influence other than those we directly look for).
What had been written so far might seem rather a collection of jargons than an organised passage with clear objectives. However, I assure you that you will get the same bad feeling from reading the book. Perhaps the author had published so many books that it became too hard for him to write a new one with original, flesh, and practical examples and ideas at all. In that case you really want to read something from de Bono, the "Six Thinking Hats" is a much better choice.
Book Review: Pleasantly Surprised
Summary: 4 Stars
REVIEW: I received a copy of this book by accident. I decided to read it anyway since I am a "thinking" personality type and the book looked easy to read. I was expecting the book to read like a hyped-up mass market self help book. I was pleasantly surprised. I found the book very practical, easy to read, and genuine. I picked up a good deal of useful information and helpful methods. These include understanding (within the brain) what makes things seem funny to step-by-step thinking procedures.De bono writes very simply and even when he explains theoretical concepts the explanations are not technical. There is some tendency by the author to regularly cite his many other books and to use his own made up words and acronyms. I found the citations to the other works authentic and not overt plugs. Similarly the use of coined terms and acronyms seemed very practical and not driven by ego as I've noticed with many authors.
STRENGTHS: Very practical methods and ideas to improve thinking, easy to read, short chapters. Optional practice activities and not too technical or academic.
WEAKNESSES: Some might not like the regular use of coined terms and acronyms. Only cites his own books. Some things explained too briefly.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: Anyone interested in improving their thinking.
Book Review: Too abstract to be of practical use
Summary: 2 Stars
When I started reading this book I was hoping that it would give me practical techniques to help improve my thinking. From this perspective, the book was not successful. This book is more theoretical rather than providing practical techniques that can be applied to actual thinking. De Bono describes numerous "tools" that can be used to help thinking. But I felt the way they were presented was too abstract, and there was no structure or organization. It was just a laundry list.I became very concerned about the author's ability to apply his tools when I read the following (page 27): "A classic example of this is Darwin's theory of evolution. It is plausible and rational and better than anything else. It is also impossible to prove. Our proof for it rests on our lack of imagination in thinking of a better mechanism." De Bono is apparently unaware of the scientific method and the large body of evidence supporting evolution-it is not based merely on "lack of imagination." Perhaps de Bono is an expert on the process of thinking, but maybe he cannot apply his expertise to specific situations. He is too wrapped up in his "tools" to actually apply them appropriately.
If you are looking for practical steps you can take to help improve your thinking, I recommend the book "Dumbth" by the late Steve Allen.
Book Review: The Natural follow-up to de Bono's Five-day Course in Thinking
Summary: 5 Stars
Edward de Bono, the foremost teacher of thinking, has put all the pieces together in this sequel to many of his other books on the subject of thinking. His main point here is that although thinking is man's greatest survival tool and his greatest asset, we tend to take it for granted and invest little time or effort in improving our minds, or our ability to think.
Here he explains that intelligent people are often haphazard and sloppy thinkers: That is, that they are not necessarily or inherently good thinkers; and that conversely, poor thinkers, and even unintelligent people can improve their thinking to a surprising degree. Intelligence, according to the author, is the skill with which one's thinking is conducted.
As always, de Bono brings his own arsenal of examples and diagrams to drive his many points home. Unlike his five-day course in thinking, which deals with "thinking in practice," this book delves into the more abstract and into the philosophy of good thinking habits, and how to achieve them. It is the perfect follow-up to the author's Five-day Course in Thinking.
Five Stars
Book Review: The basic tools are here
Summary: 4 Stars
My Profile: 40+ yo, sales engineer.
I write this review after lending book to a good friend. he was unsatisfied because it did not provide a theoretical frame or basis from where to construct a logical thesis. This is precisely what the book tries to avoid, a dogmatic approach to thinking... and perhaps my friend's reaction shows the difference between pragamatic philosophy and those based on "first principles"..
Chapter 4- Perception & Schemes (this refers to the spanish edition 1987 Plaza & Janez) alone is worth the price of the book and is a a principle worth hanging on a frame right in front of your desk, the problems you face in the world are mainly perception problems... and the complexities inherent in it...
This is a book to challange your "default" or habitual mode of your problem solving.. simple but not simplistic.. its the use of the tool what matter.. because it can lead you to a newer perception.