Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas

My dad gave me a copy of this book for Christmas in 1978 when I was a junior in college. I enjoyed reading it then, and I've read it numerous times since. I can say now with some length of perspective that in my opinion it's a definitive classic on this topic and I'd say it is probably the most influential single book in my engineering career. It's enabled me to think of things of that no one else does, and more often than not it's because of ideas I picked up here. The solutions are enduring too. The nine-dot problem, the ping-pong ball in the tube, the spacecraft panels opening without a damper are examples I think back to when faced with technical challenges that have no apparent easy answer.I cringe inside when people want and push for systematic and methodical ways to solve problems. It's almost a religon to some that the pretense of an imagined rigor akin to mathematical proof will always lead them to "correct" answers. It's not that those methods are wrong but they're quite incomplete and tend to only reinforce the mental blocks you already have.If you want to unconfine your thinking and leverage the power of both halves of your brain, then put this book in your cart, buy it, and read it.

This book has been useful to me for over 20 years in how to set about solving problems in design, engineering, creation, and interpersonal differences. I've used its principles in marketing, videography, graphic design, copywriting, leatherworking, landscaping, team building, and many other activities. It's helped me look past my biases and preconceptions, yet still trust my gut. Finally, it even makes a point most people overlook: what appears to be a problem may not actually be one (saving lots of time and possible discord). I lost my copy years ago and just ordered a new one last week. I want to show it to my boss.

Excellent book. Jim Adams had just written his first edition, when I took (and TAed) his problem solving course at Stanford about 38 years ago. Many years later, I am doing some adjunct teaching in entrepreneurship. I am now using the 4th edition (he is working on a 5th) for a new class I am writing on creativity and entrepreneurship. This edition has all the insight from the first--but updated to keep it fresh.

Conceptual Blockbusting is a great book for the idea creator. I like his style, and emphasis on breaking out of the inhibiting ways we usually think. Many ideas are in this book. It is four stars (instead of five) because I would have liked a summary of the main ideas at the end of each chapter for easy reference when I am trying to be creative. Perhaps this is just me.

Perhaps it was the high recommendation for this book that left me a little disappointed. I have seen this book recommended in a number of software developer books (most notably perhaps, Code Complete 2E). The author discusses possible obstacles (mental, cultural, etc.) to creativity, some of the psychology behind creativity, and some 'vehicles' to greater creativity. All in all probably very worth reading, but the reading is dry, with the occasional exercise breaking the monotony slightly. I highly recommend this book, until I can find a book that says the same thing in 25% of the space, which I think is possible.

The author does an excellent job of exposing the reader to alternative strategies to both enhance the qualities of one's ideas and to navigate around intellectual road blocks. I have used this book in courses for Masters and Doctoral students and send it as a gift to my interns since it is a great reference to have on the shelf when one needs to find a fresh approach. Short and to the point this is not an academic treatise so much as a secret weapon for the problem solvers in government and industry!

The book is really great. I got it for a design trip that I was taking to Boston and it was a perfect plane ride. The book gives you activities to do along the way which is perfect if you sometimes start falling asleep while you are reading a book. I highly recommend the book as a creative professional.

For someone who's uninspired or stuck on how to think creatively, I would recommend reading this book. It gives you good advice on how to see life in a new light and it's very tempting to try out the different techniques.

I read this book a while ago. As soon as I put the book down, I applied everything I’d just learned to enter a design challenge at my local art gallery. I was stunned by some of the novel ‘out of the box’ ideas that this book helped me conceive and implement.Many years later, I find myself using the techniques I learned from this book and evangelically recommending the book to people I meet.

Actually, the title of the book might be a bit misleading, this is not a how to manual about developing creative ideas, instead it focuses on a wide range of "blocks" which inhibit our capability of being creative and innovative. This is a very fascinating subject and probably you will read this book at least twice, in order to understand it fully. In particular, I found very interesting the chapter on conceptual blocks in organizations, and I can fully support the author's analysis. Very useful is also the reader's guide given at the end, and I will certainly pursue further the study of creativity and psychology by reading some of the recommended books.

This is a classic work on thinking styles and how we are restricted in our approaches to problems. Adams is rather intellectual and analytical in his approach but he is always interesting, challenging and readable. He explores perceptual, emotional, cultural and intellectual blocks to creative problem solving with some powerful examples. He advises how to overcome them. If you want an easy book of creativity exercises then this is not the one for you. If you want a stimulating and serious review of the issues then this is recommended.

The book came on time in the condition described but I haven't read it yet.

very nice read..