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Creativity - can you get it from a Handbook?

I enjoy reading about creativity, I hope that some of it rubs off on me.  Here's a new book I just bought, very creative, a colorful book, full of ideas and exercises.  I hope that I can work through some of the Actions & Movements discussed in the book in my next 37 days.


"Life is a Verb; 37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally" by Patti Digh

And while browsing the bookstore my wife found this book.  The title gets your attention.

"The International Handbook of Creativity" edited by James Kaufman & Robert Sternberg

However one has to wonder about the publisher, Cambridge, did they even read the book, did the editors read the chapters?  Is there one ounce of creativity in the lot of them?  Watch the video of the thumb through - then watch the video of Life is a Verb - which one would you buy? I did a video - but it got lost in the recycle bin of Google's blogger site.  So just cruise over to Amazon and check out each book...


And here is  "Life is a Verb".


So it would appear to me that creativity is not found in a handbook.  But I could be wrong - I didn't buy the handbook.

Comments

Hmm... I guess I'd by the one backed by tons of Research, heh, but picture/activity books are cool too I guess!
Unknown said…
The "International Handbook of Creativity" is a book about creativity research, not a self-help book. Silly boy.
David said…
Yes, I know an academic book when I see one. I find it ironic that the academic book can tell one about creativity but can not show one, or be the example of creativity. Somewhere in the writings of creative people is the concept that one must be the example if one is to be a good teacher. But I guess this doesn't apply at the gradual school level.
Unknown said…
Which one would I buy? The one written by the world's leading creativity researchers and one of the best presses around. But, I agree--pretty pictures and fluffy exercises are fun too.
metritritritri said…
I don't get it. So because one book has color and child-like marketability, it has to be the better creative resource?