Harlequin Unmasked: The Commedia dell'Arte and Porcelain Sculpture

Book Description

The commedia dell'arte began in Italy as irreverent, improvised street theatre and is best known for its exuberant characters--Harlequin, Pantalone, Pulcinella, Scaramouche, and Colombine, among others. Since the sixteenth century, these personalities have inspired paintings, engravings, and porcelain sculptures. Encompassing theatre, court culture, masquerades, and the decorative arts, this splendidly illustrated and engaging book offers original perspectives on porcelain commedia figures while also making an important contribution to the study of the commedia dell'arte. The volume focuses on nearly 150 porcelain sculptures as it tells the story of the commedia dell'arte's transformation into sculpture: Why were the figures made? Why do they appear as they do? What inspired their gestures and costumes? How did street theatre themes become integrated into court life and entertainment? Examining these delightful porcelain figures in greater breadth and detail than ever before, this book is essential for those interested in theatre, painting, costume, and the decorative arts.

Customer Reviews:

A MUST.......2004-02-28

this book is a MUST for any artist, artisane or just art-lover.
i am a dollmaker & papier-mache crafter & teacher. And i"ve searched for this subject"COMEDIA-DEL-ARTE" for many years. I traveled all over the world, in many bookstores and theater bibliotecs. finaly now my dream came true !!! BRAVO !!!
Thanks amazon!!! about me:www.geocities.com/pushadolls

Exquisite.......2002-01-08

This book, received as a gift, is one of the finest and most enjoyable art books I've read (in several decades of reading books on art). It covers the history and technique in detail - along with the behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating intrigue related to the theatre, the factories, and the courts of the period. The prose is authoritative and lively, and the color plates are absolutely breathtaking. It's exquisitely produced - a coffee table book that captivates all my guests.

Harlequin Unmasked: The Commedia Dell' Arte and Porcelain Sculpture

Average customer rating:

Harlequin Unmasked: The Commedia Dell' Arte and Porcelain Sculpture
Meredith Chilton
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OROCAI

Book Description

What makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory -- a luxe handbag, for example? Why is it that people all over the world share the conviction that a special occasion only becomes really special when a champagne cork pops -- and even more special when that cork comes from a bottle of Dom Pérignon? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment?

One of the foremost authorities on seventeenth-century French culture provides the answer to these and other fascinating questions in her account of how, at one glittering moment in history, the French under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, and glamour that still rule our lives today.

Joan DeJean explains how a handsome and charismatic young king with a great sense of style and an even greater sense of history decided to make both himself and his country legendary. When the reign of Louis XIV began, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day. DeJean takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, and fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the magical center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe.

As the author observes, without the Sun King's program for redefining France as the land of luxury and glamour, there might never have been a Stork Club, a Bergdorf Goodman, a Chez Panisse, or a Cristophe of Beverly Hills -- and President Clinton would never have dreamed of holding Air Force One on the tarmac of LAX for an hour while Cristophe worked his styling genius on the president's hair.

Written with wit, dash, and élan by an author who knows this astonishing true story better than virtually anyone, The Essence of Style will delight fans of history and everybody who wonders about the elusive definition of good taste.

Customer Reviews:

The Origin Of Our Modern Concept Of Style.......2007-06-04

This is not really a book, but more of a collection of essays examining the origin of various modern concepts of style: hair, culture, fashion, marketing/tourism, footwear, fine dining, coffee, champagne, diamonds, mirrors, nightlife, umbrellas, shopping, perfumes, and entertaining.

As a scholar of French history and culture, the unifying theme of Joan DeJean's work is that the origins of these parts of our modern society came in the reign of Loius XIV of France, and fairly amazing are largly unchanged since their implementation.

By this I mean not the specifics of style, but in the way they function in the greater culture.

DeJean speaks well to the technology being developed at the time as well as the reasons that the late 1600's were the first time these aspects of life could be mass consumed, instead of say, the 1200's.

Frivolous.......2007-05-24

I wasted an hour searching for something of substantive interest in this work. It was time spent in vain. A frivolous book about frivolous things.

A good read, but lacks depth.......2007-05-15

Topic Selection: B+ Although the book may seem a little all over the place to some, focusing on such diverse aspects of culture as food, clothing, champagne, perfume, parties, and even umbrellas, DeJean does a good job of relating the different parts of the book to one another. She ties them all to a very specific period of history and especially to Louis XIV.

Scholarship: C- DeJean seems to rely fairly heavily on a rather small number of sources, despite the fact that the total number of sources is pretty good. Also, at least some footnotes would help the book.

Readability: A- This book was obviously written to be consumed by a general audience. DeJean's style is very easy to read, although some of the chapters seem repetitive, as she often comes to the same conclusion.

Impartiality: C I detected a definite "France is great" tone to this book that could sometimes be a little distracting. One also gets the impression that DeJean thinks that the move towards rapidly changing fashions was inevitably a good thing, for which she does not give a reason. She was not biased in an overbearing way, but there is definitely a bias there.

Overall: B- I really enjoyed the book and for beginners to this area of history, I think it is ideal. You learn a lot of those little things that you always wondered about, such as where the concept of dessert comes from. DeJean's style is readable and she is obviously passionate about the subject. Serious scholars should stay away, as the book does not always adequately cite it's sources and does not prove its argument as adequately as it could.

Vive La France!.......2006-06-01

Is not the words "Joie de Vivre" French for joy of life? Qui!

The French work to live while North Americans live to work. Life is short and no wonder Hemingway said that those who know Paris never forget it.

An interesting take on the Gaulle of living.

fluff history.......2006-03-03

Some more rigorous historical analysis would have turned this 'lite' read into something worthwhile. The crude translations of 17th-century France into modern-day America, irrespective of different economic systems and radically discrete cultures, turn what could have been an inspired thesis into the kind of chatter you'd expect to hear from grandma.

The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour!

Average customer rating:

The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour!
Joan DeJean
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SP50RA

Book Description

Arriving on a new island, Luffy and Zoro meet Nami, a girl thief with a penchant for robbing pirates. With his royal henchmen, Mohji the Animal Tamer and Kabaji the Sword Swallower, fiendish pirate Buggy the Clown terrorizes a town, blasts buildings (and people) to pieces, and triggers Luffy's desire for revenge. It's pirate vs. pirate as Luffy and his gang go on the defensive against Buggy, who unfortunately has plenty of superpowers of his own. Award-winning author Eiichiro Oda is one of the most popular comic creators and artists in Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Zolo and Cabji's duel........2006-02-14

I pretty much liked the duel between Zolo and Cabji.But I think there's to much blood and violance.And to much swearing!Agghh,I hate swaering!But,who cares?It was still good!

Really violent---very cool.......2005-12-24

One Piece is a very awesome manga. Don't be fooled by the TV show, it's awesome. But take heed -- it's really violent. I recomend this for readers 11+ It is so worth the whopping 8 bucks I have to pay eeeeveryyy time. I just think mebbe Eichiro Oda needs to CHILLAX with all the blood and gore. This is mainly based for boys, but like me, I like it just as much. Don't get me wrong, this manga/volume is great!

chop-chop man VR. gum-gum man.......2005-09-26

Over all this magna is very good.i thought the first one was kinda bad but over all this seires is very good.its ok for ages 11-16 but dose have some drinking in it and one bad word but who cares.

Buggy the Clown ?!.......2005-06-29

Okay I read the first one and now it is time for volume 2! Now this one intoduces more of Nami the pirate thief and some more pirate action. But what kind of villain is a clown! I mean common can we do better than this Oda! Well at least he gave the clown the power of the chop chop fruit! Maybe the villain is weird but it is still great and histerical! I definataly giving this one a 5!

Don't make fun of the nose.......2004-12-24

Volume 2 of One Piece continues the adventures of Luffy and Zoro while introducing another character - Nami, the pirate thief and navigator. Together the trio must fight off bizzare lion tamers, acrobatic swordsmen, and stop Buggy the Clown Pirate from destroying a peaceful village.

Objectively, you could skip volume 2 and not miss anything in the overall story. The Buggy the Clown arc began in volume 1 and does not finish until volume 3, which is unsatisfying unless you read all the volumes at the same time. It's a format readers should get used to, as One Piece story arcs can drag on for volumes at a time (later arcs take as many as 6 books to wrap up). However, to skip volume 2 would be to miss out on a lot of cool action and character development. Unlike the horrible dubbed version currently playing on Foxbox, real violence actually happens to the characters here (Zoro is stabbed by Buggy's knife instead of simply being jabbed with it), and I hope Viz can continue to give us the original, uncensored versions of the story.

Get volume 2 and enjoy it for what it is - it's a fun read if you don't go in expecting the story to wrap up. Also try to find an edition with Zoro instead of Zolo, as Viz is reprinting the 1st four volumes after 4Kids changed the name to avoid copyright problems.

One Piece, Bd.2, Ruffy versus Buggy, der Clown

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One Piece, Bd.2, Ruffy versus Buggy, der Clown
Eiichiro Oda
Manufacturer: Carlsen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All German Books | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 355174582X

Shonen Jump Graphic Novels Pack: Romance Dawn, Buggy the Clown, Don't Get Fooled Again, The Black Cat Pirates, (One Piece, Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Average customer rating:

Shonen Jump Graphic Novels Pack: Romance Dawn, Buggy the Clown, Don't Get Fooled Again, The Black Cat Pirates, (One Piece, Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4)
Eiichiro Oda
Manufacturer: VIZ, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Shonen (Boys) | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000P0BCO8

Product Description

Graphic novels reading from back to front. Thick comic books.

Average customer rating:

One Piece, Vol. 2: Buggy the Clown

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417681160

Customer Reviews:

So good I had to re-order it when it was lost..........2007-03-07

All I can say is "Sheep Lie." Enjoy!

I'm still laughing.......2000-12-04

I keep this book at work. It lightens the mood on a stressful day. One of my customers and I trade jokes and this is my secret source. I also like the anecdotes that appear throughout the book, I think they are hilarious. I totally buy the premise of this book.

good but not for everybody.......2000-06-22

Although several of the jokes were hilarious many were gross or tasteless or both. I thought it was a creative idea and would be interested to know how many people wrote and told him they think they contributed to the book!

Zero.......2000-06-11

This is a collection of ethnic, sexual, blond, and just plain lame jokes. Inevitably, some of them are variations of the old ones. I don't really buy the author's story, but just in case he actually overheard those jokes in his cab, he should have forgotten them right there instead of wasting paper and offending just about anybody. There should be a more decent way to make a living.

And to those of you who believe that ethnic jokes are harmless: you are living in a dream world. Those jokes perpetuate hatred, although indirectly. Any comedian who relies on this lowest-grade brand of humor proves his/her lack of talent and morality. Keep it clean!

really funny joke book.......1998-10-31

I'm not usually a fan of joke books, but this one is great! You're guaranteed to find new material that will really crack you up. Cartoon illustrations are funny too. Loved it!

Customer Reviews:

This book contains all of the droids,ships,etc all in 1 book.......1999-05-31

Myself and other probably liked this book Because it contains information for even the smallest things like a Shaak,Eopie,Peko Peko,or a Fambaa. With the places like the Theed Royal Palace on Naboo to Watto's Kunk Shop on Tatooine. And who can forget the two lovable Protocol and beeping Astromech Droids R2-D2 and C-3PO droid types are in here even though its a finishied one but it's still as lovable. All in all I give it a five star rating!

Book Description

The transcultural impact of Latin American musical forms in the United States calls for a deeper understanding of the shifting cultural meanings of music. Musical Migrations examines the tensions between the value of Latin popular music as a metaphor for national identity and its transnational meanings as it traverses national borders, geocultural spaces, audiences, and historical periods. The anthology addresses the role of popular music in Caribbean diasporas in the US and Europe; the trans-Caribbean identities of Salsa and reggae; the racial, cultural, and ethnic hybridity in rock across the Americas; and the tensions between tradition and modernity in Peruvian indigenous music, mariachi music in the United States, and Trinidadian music.

American Popular Music: A Multicultural History

Average customer rating:

Excellent Text on popular music

American Popular Music: A Multicultural History
Glenn Appell
Manufacturer: Schirmer/Thomson Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Music | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

Nonfiction | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 015506245X

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Text on popular music.......2006-01-16

This is a truly excellent book documenting the history and changes of american popular music, specifically highlighting the prevalence of minorities in american music. It leaves out practically nothing, from the obscure to the famous musicians since the beginning of the country. The included disks are really good too, they include some really good music to listen to along with the book. While set up to be taught, this also makes an interesting read. A great learning experience for anyone who wants to learn more about American popular music.

Writing Jazz: Race, Nationalism, and Modern Culture in the 1920s (Garland Studies in American Popular History and Culture)

Average customer rating:

Writing Jazz: Race, Nationalism, and Modern Culture in the 1920s (Garland Studies in American Popular History and Culture)
Nicholas Evans
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0815322267

Book Description

This study examines how early writers of jazz criticism (such as Gilbert Seldes and Carl Van Vechten) and literature (F. Scott Fitzgerald and Langston Hughes)--as well as "jazz" performers and composers (such as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, and George Gershwin)--associated the music directly with questions about identity (racial, ethnic, national, gendered, and sexual) and with historical developments like industrialization. Going beyond the study of melody, harmony, and rhythm, this book's interdisciplinary approach takes seriously the cultural beliefs about jazz that inspired interracial contact, moralistic panic, bohemian slumming, visions of American democracy, and much more. Detailed textual analysis of fiction, nonfiction, film, and musical performance illustrates the complexity of these cultural beliefs in the 1920s and also shows their survival to the present day.

In part, jazz absorbed the U.S. cultural imagination due to the nineteenth-century artistic search for music that would define the national character. To the chagrin of Anglo-Saxon "nativists," jazz ascended as an exemplar of cultural hybridity and pluralism. The writers and entertainers studied in this volume--most of whom were minorities of Jewish Irish or African heritage--hailed the new social possibilities that they heard and felt in jazz. Yet most of them also qualified their enthusiasm by remaining wary of both the seductions of jazz's commercialization and the loss of ethnic identity in the melting pot.

Average customer rating:

Excellent superhero game system...

The Supers are Back!

A Solid Supers RPG

Best superhero game out there. Period.

It May Not Be The Perfect Superhero Game, But It's Close

Blood of Heroes Role-Playing Game : Special Edition
Joshua Marquart , Tony Oliviera , Christopher Tatro , and Jonathan Cassie
Manufacturer: Pulsar Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Mutants & Masterminds: RPG - 2nd Edition

Scion: Hero (Scion)

Star Wars Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, Saga Edition

Spell Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

ASIN: 0966528034

Customer Reviews:

Excellent superhero game system..........2007-05-07

The Blood of Hereos Special Edition is a superhero role-playing game, and is in effect a revamp of the DC Heroes 3rd Edition rules-set, with the authors own (non-DC) universe added as a setting since they did not have a license for the DC Universe material.

The setting material is of fair but passable quality, but in this reviewer's opinion the real gem in this book is the updated and expanded rules: the rules system, based on the "MEGS" (Mayfair Expontential Gaming System) system used in the earlier DC Heroes role-playing games, has been expanded and improved upon, with many new powers added, many powers altered to make them more balanced, and features better explanations of most powers that help one better understand the intended use of each power. The game adds several useful new combat maneuvers, a good set of "genre" rules to customize your campaign theme, and related items that enhance the game. Once you get used to the system, combat can be processed very fast; much faster than with, say, the Hero System/Champions rules. The rules do an excellent job of re-creating the 'cinematic' style of the 4-color comics.

The setting, as mentioned above, is of the authors own unique universe. While it has some interesting aspects and may appeal to some players, the universe setting is not of the same quality as the rules, and simply does not compare well against the DC or Marvel universes. Still, the gamemaster and players can make use of parts of this universe, and some of the NPCs listed can be worked into their campaign with minor changes.

I would highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to run or play a superhero genre game.

The Supers are Back!.......2006-07-11

This game rocks! It is my favorite after I lost every DC heroes product I had about 10 years ago to a buddy who in turn lost the game when I wanted it back.
This game is 3rd edition redone I would say 4th edition DC, just without the DC stuff but you can easily add it if you like. Personally I like playing it without the DC universe anyhow, the system is so great, you can create any universe you like with it.

Get it NOW!

A Solid Supers RPG.......2005-12-06

Ok, I have played this game before in both the Blood of Heroes and DC Heroes 3rd edition (which both use the MEGS system). The system falls apart at low power levels (Batman, Joker, Green Arrow, etc...), but handles high power heroes (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Super Man) well. It's an average system , difficulty wise and fun to play with the right GM (as are most RPGs)
The design for this game system was done in the 80s and it is wearing a little thin. With the release of Mutants & Masterminds and Hero System 5th Edition, I feel that this system has been left behind. Special Edition does address some issue that the original release had, but it is too little, too late.

Best superhero game out there. Period........2003-06-25

Other than Godlike, I've seen every damn SHRPG out there, and they all suck. The rules are too heavy (Champions), the system is inherently flawed (Abberant), or you feel like you need to do the hokey-pokey (MSH). DC Heroes (the same product as this) changed my mind about the entire genre. MEGS definately hit the nail on the head when it comes to SH gaming. My only prob is this: the new rules in BoH are sometimes fraudulent (fake new powers that any moron could have made out of the old powers, and the fact you can now play villians-the worst gaming experience possible. Imagine robbing a bank, only to fight superheroes, then robbing another bank. There's barely anywhere to go). Still beats the pants off the other SHRPGs, so I give it the highest praise.

It May Not Be The Perfect Superhero Game, But It's Close.......2001-09-19

In the old days, back when we only had the New Kids on the Block as a boy band, and there were only two brands of Star Trek, Classic and New Trek, Mayfair came out with the Mayfair Exponential Gaming System. A sleeker, more streamlined, play-wise, version of the Champions game - though it's easier to build your own Champions character.

However, MEGS has far more comprehensive rules for roleplaying, suggestions for awards, and lovely things like hero points for last ditch efforts, and its powers are even more customizable than Champions, if such a thing is possible. The Blood of Heroes adds even more refinements to what weaknesses there were.

My only complaint was that they always wrote Superman as impossible to touch, especially when the dude had the Superspeed Power which accounted for his extreme dexterity stunts. Give this game a try. You'll find it's worth it, especially for the exciting new characters.

Average customer rating:

A Chance Discovery

Insightful!

At last, some unconventional wisdom!

Very useful for getting people up-to-speed regard innovation

Breaking out of the thinking straitjacket

The Leader's Guide to Lateral Thinking Skills: Powerful Problem-Solving Techniques to Ignite Your Team's Potential (Leaders Guide)
Paul Sloane
Manufacturer: Kogan Page
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Decision-Making & Problem Solving | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Systems & Planning | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0749440023

Book Description

* Do you want to unlock the creative potential of your team?

Customer Reviews:

A Chance Discovery.......2006-01-19

Quite by chance, I read The Leader's Guide To Lateral Thinking by Paul Sloane over the weekend. What stood out in that book for me is - you won't find anything new if you look hard in the same direction.

I thought the examples used in it were quite powerful, since I still remember them. One is the fish bowl example (separating the small fish from the one large fish that eats them with a glass partition) - that the brain becomes complacent after a while and stops questioning. The other one was that of Henry Ford - who fired a senior manager who salted his soup before tasting it. Ooh ! That was apparently because he "prejudged situations" and Ford didn't want someone like that. IMHO, it was very unfair - I might have also probably salted my soup, if I was familiar with the restaurant :-) but then, run the risk of being fired by someone like Ford!

There was also plenty of quotes from people that made me stop and think how the world has evolved and living has become more comfortable, just by the sheer brilliance of the human brain!

That book put me (back) on a higher frequency and I am all excited about reading books again. And i'd heartily recommend this as a reading for anyone, not just for use in workplace, but also for everyday situations.

Insightful!.......2004-12-02

Obviously, innovation, creativity and new ideas are important in business. Author Paul Sloane offers a number of techniques and practices to encourage the generation and development of new ideas. He says little startlingly new, but he offers leaders a handy, practical guide to the well-trodden paths of brainstorming, tolerance of failure and leadership by example. The most enjoyable part of the book is the long list of utterly dunderheaded quotations from experts in various fields declaring that such innovations as submarines, nuclear power, railroads and steamships are impossible. We recommend this book because it will encourage you to question your assumptions and to look for places where conventional wisdom is probably wrong - there's certainly no harm, and a great deal of good, in that.

At last, some unconventional wisdom!.......2004-11-21

At times when management literature abounds with dos and donts based on conventional wisdom, here is a powerful defender of the values of unconventional wisdom. Paul Sloane makes a strong case for innovation and lateral thinking in business, where doing new, different things in new, different ways is more important than doing the same things more efficiently. The book is rich with examples from the real world where creative thinking and action have led to astonishing successes (even after numerous failed attempts)and examples where conservatism and conventional thinking have led to obsolescence or catastrophe. The author argues that creative skills can and should be developed at the individual level, the team level and the company level and the book abounds with tips and techniques to help people and organizations expand their potential for innovation. Lateral thinking puzzles placed at the end of each chapter, help reinforce the fact that we all think "in boxes" with assumptions and preconceptions that do not always correspond to reality. An excellent book.

Very useful for getting people up-to-speed regard innovation.......2004-10-30

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. It serves as an easy read to introduce a variety of individuals with different backgrounds, disciplines, and responsibilities, to key aspects of innovation. Being approachable, the topic is both interesting and appealing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this myself and have since asked many people to read it to get them up to speed with innovation.

Breaking out of the thinking straitjacket.......2003-08-20

In Chapter 11, Paul Sloane remarks that 'many of the rules that apply in businesses were set in earlier times and have endured by force of habit'. The main objective of the book is to give the reader tools and tips for becoming a lateral leader and empowering colleagues to challenge these rules, often by thinking the apparently unthinkable. This objective is 100% achieved.

Each Chapter ends with a lateral thinking puzzle to illustrate the importance of 'thinking outside the box' when trying to solve a problem creatively, and with a number of Exercises with titles like Brainstorming, Reverse the Problem and What If?

Perhaps the best examples of the personal habits to be overcome in building a lateral thinking team are the tendency to jump to conclusions, impatience to offer solutions, and reluctance to listen properly to other people's ideas.

The author successfuly shows us how to cast aside the blinkers and find the best answers to even the most intractable problems.

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