De Bono's Thinking Course (new edition)

I've always had mixed feelings about Edward de Bono's books, ever since he spun so much mileage out of "lateral thinking", which to me, was just an everyday thinking skill, to which de Bono had coined a new label. I find hiss writing style rather tedious; his books seem devoid of humour. A lot of his explanations are badly phrased and thus awkward to follow. He often takes a simple idea (such as 'lateral thinking' and 'six thinking hats') and spins it out into a whole book, where it could have been adequately described in just one succinct chapter. You could probably distil all of his useful ideas into one good book. However, he has chosen to write as many different books as possible based on his few, mostly-not-very-original ideas. So, his various books tend to cover a lot of common ground. Indeed, I consider deBono to be more of a book-writing machine than a gifted innovator."Thinking Course" does, at least, pack a lot of different concepts into one worthwhile manual. When I first looked at this book, about 20 years ago, I thought the concepts covered in this book were rather elementary, but cooked up to look cleverer than they really were. However, on re-reading this book, more carefully in 2013, I find that my cognitive skills were improved by reading it with increased focus and reflection. Perhaps I was due for a thinking refresher-course!De Bono was born into aristocracy, in Malta, which may explain why his writing seems just a little alien at times. There is no doubt that he's well-educated. The amount of benefit you gain from his books will probably be largely down to how well you can find ways to utilize the ideas therein. Even if you already know the ideas covered in this book, it may benefit you to revisit them - especially if some time has passed since you last explored a book of creative-thinking tools.

Think book is excellent I think everyone should have to read it. It does make starling claims but they hold up well.Thinking through pragmatic and possibilities for the future are key. I think they are key to human survival. If more negative thinkings from others could have been be included and answered it would have been an Ah book.It caused me to do a pitch on creative thinking to DMU's acting Vice Chancellor.

The book has lots of tools for people who want to improve their thinking skill.I love all his books as he explains things simply and gives clear examples.Thanks dear Bono!

This is simply a "must buy". Other books (even by the great man himself) often contain only one idea and use pages to justify it and show examples and research. This, on the other hand, is a manual for improving one's thinking skills; it contains so much.If you are a teacher, you MUST buy this and improve your classes - guaranteed (from my personal experience) especially the PMI technique. I have revolutionised class discussion and debate by employing PMI.

A good book for teenagers.