Reviews (8)

Practical Art Therapy
Usually these types of books are theoritical (for example why art therapy works) while this one is practical with many activities to work with.

easily understandible
Having found myself a little out of depth as regards people needing release from pain and stress, I have found the practicality of this book invaluable. It has opened my eyes to understand a lot more of the history of art therapy, and the exercises are helpful. I found the pictures included also enable one to grasp some of the concepts within the text and the layout of the book makes it exciting reading.

The Art Therapy Sourcebook
This book is very useful for the beginner of art therapy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Music Therapy    2. Art therapy    3. Creative Ability    4. General    5. Psychology    6. Creative therapy (eg art, music, drama)    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Creative Ability   

Reviews (10)

Vein of Gold- a winner!
Vein of Gold has met my expectations and beyond. As someone who has never felt "creative" it has helped me to broaden my defintion of what that means.It has practical exercises that are reasonable and useful as I continue my self-discovery of what being creative means. I highly recommend it.

Creativity as birthright
Cameron is an inspiring teacher - pushing the revolutionary idea that everyone should live a creative life.Her ideas are closely connected to spirituality, and although she is Christian (and absolutely does NOT hide that fact), she encourages each reader to think about spirituality in their own individual way.I am very sensitive to any kind of hidden Christian propaganda in anything, but I assure you that this is not at all what her writing is about.She is simply asking you as a creative being to trust in a creative force that will help you if you are open enough to listen to it.Julia pokes fun at snobby writers who think she's doing a disservice to the artform by incouraging all of these 'novices' to write.If you agree with them, I wouldn't bother with this book.

Cameron Has Done It Again!
Julia Cameron has done it again.I read her first book The Artist's Way and this book is just as great.I've experienced an increase in creativity that I never thought possible.It truly is a journey inward.I'm 35 yrs. old and a mother of two.I had no idea that there was still so much to discover about myself.As mentioned in the book, a great symptom of increased creativity, is greater spirituality. This book has truly changed my life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Creative Ability    2. Creativity    3. Inner child    4. Problems, exercises, etc    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Self-actualization (Psychology    8. Self-actualization (Psychology)    9. Self-realization    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (1)

BUY THIS BOOK - A wizard of wonder goes exploring with you
I was fortunate enough to meet Brendan Dawes at the Chicago Design conference in 2005.He inspired me then, and continues to inspire me with his website and this book.This is a very different book than your usual design or computer book, (the bookstores place it in the "Animation section"?).In each chapter Brendan gives you a view into his world and how he solves problems.He shares his explorations with you from how he looks at the world, to the mechanics of how he completes a project. Along with several of the chapters he provides "Helpful websites", to explore beyond the book. My favorite is chapter 7, where he shows you his kit for always being ready to develop an idea, (I agree the Moleskin sketchbooks are ideal for capturing ideas).
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Engineering    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Digital Computer Hardware    8. Electronic Circuit Design    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    10. Graphic design    11. Image processing: graphics (static images)   

Reviews (3)

What a Great Idea! : The Key Steps Creative People Take.
Even thought this book was written in 1992 it still has ideas that can be useful to people in business today.A quote that I found to be very good is this, "Find and hang a picture of your vision on your wall.NASAhas lots of pictures of space stations and the moon."

An exciting, essential and fun guide to creativity.
Ideas are the keys to the future.They are also the foundation of success, whether you are developing a revolutionary e-business or seeking better ways to organize and motivate a team.Chic Thompson's What A GreatIdea! is both essential and joyful in its approach, sharing the very bestof creativity approaches.Its lessons are practical, clear, and immediate,approaches you want to apply right away. It is also comprehensive in itsscope and lasting in its impact, helping readers immediately grasp andremember both the 'why' and 'how' of effective individual and teamcreativity. And--wow!--it's fun to read! This book belongs on the desk ofevery manager generating a success vision. It is ideal for those who seekto develop and champion the best of real-world thinking and challengeresponse.

Jam Packed with fun ways to help you access creative ideas.
Outstanding resource for accessing creativity personally and in the workplace.Chic identifies common "Killer Phrazes" which thwart our actions and gives excellent, fun suggestions for stamping them out. This book is extremely "user friendly".Easy to read, funny -with exercises along the way to drive home the points.He gives practicalways to use mind mapping, metaphors,and analogies to help you get yourthinking unstuck and to uncover new solutions.As a creative thinkingtrainer, I have shared Chic's ideas and strategies to hundreds ofindividuals across the U.S.The feedback I get is extremely positive.Asa matter of fact, his ideas helped me structure my course in a much moreinnovative, impactful way.Use Chic's ideas and watch the people in yourenvironment become more creative, more open to new ideas, more productiveand have one whole heck of a lot of fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Creative Ability    3. Creativity    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (12)

Excellent Beginners Guide
I hesitated getting this book because some of the reviews here on Amazon made it sound like it didn't offer any techniques.
As Title Says...."For Beginners"...
I became interested in AP/OBE's awhile ago but just could not find any certain technique on the internet or on my own that worked with much success.I ran across this at a local bookstore, it was the only related book they had, so I decided to buy it.It brings up great points, but for me as a semi-experienced AP'er it was all reiteration of what is common sense in the OBE world.An excellent book for beginners, but if you are looking for advanced techniques or specific explanations, look elsewhere.

A great book for beginners
One of the interesting things I found in this book is that some of the things she mentinoned I've personally experienced over 10 years ago when I was trying earnestly to have an OBE.Read more

Subjects:  1. Astral projection    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Creative Ability    4. Magick Studies    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Parapsychology    8. Parapsychology - Out-of-Body Experience    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / Parapsychology / Out-of-Body Experience    10. Clairvoyance & precognition    11. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism   

Reviews (7)

patchy.not written by a professional musician and it shows
Bitterly disappointed in this book.A little bit of knowledge on music can be a dangerous thing and this rambling patchwork quilt of fragments is a pretty dismal affair.There are a handful of people who write well on music (a difficult thing to do)and i'd direct people to the likes of Charles Rosen (serious)and Norman Lebrecht(populist)

Staggering
I did not know quite what to expect when i ordered this book. The only reason that i did so was because I needed to write my senior thesis and every applicable book at our library was gone. So, i opted just to buy this.
A good place to start
Anthony Storr does a very good job describing the variousfacets of the complex interplay between music and mind. He points to the biological bases of it, explores the philosophical debates around it and gives acounts of basic music theory. He is a good writer and manages to engage the reader's interest through most of the book. That is very admirable considering the nature of the subject matter and the poor job often done by other writes venturing into similar subjects. Read more

Subjects:  1. Creative Ability    2. History & Criticism - General    3. Instruction & Study - Appreciation    4. Music    5. Music/Songbooks    6. Philosophy and aesthetics    7. Physiological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Creative Ability   

Reviews (6)

Midwest Book Review, October 2005 Issue
In the last five years, the field of coaching and mentoring creative artists has taken off as its own little cottage industry. Eric Maisel, more than any other writer/teacher/psychologist, seems to have had a major role in this genesis, so it's no surprise that this anthology is kicked off with a Foreword by Maisel. He says, "If you get it into your head that you must write novels, compose symphonies, prove or disprove string theory, or in some other way really manifest the potential of your heart, mind, and hands, you have set yourself on a journey that traditionally you have had to navigate alone. Now you need not feel completely alone: creativity coaches are available to help" ( p. xi).
Creative "Jaws of Life" in this book of inspiration
22 coaches of creativity provide their insight into delving the mind and spirit for inspiration. Some of this is intellectual; creativity as your spiritual birthright, how to tap the Muses by understanding how the personification of the arts is meaningful. Other advice is the type that writers need--how to write a memoir, getting unstuck, focus and self-awareness.
A very useful source book in a field of not so useful books!
As a college teacher who is teaching a creativity course, I have found that there is much waffle and fluff printed about creativity.What I like about this set of essays is that it presents a wide and practical set of approaches to creativity.Thus students can find a mode, process, or perspective that fits their personal style.It is also very economically priced which is not a minor factor in this era of $100 text books. While it is not a book you would base a course on, if such a thing exists, it is a book that can be used effectively in any critical or creative thinking course.Well done! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Creative Ability    2. Psychology   

Reviews (6)

1 of the BEST books on Manic Depression
By far, this is one of the best books I've read on manic depression. I should know -I'm a PhD-MD cannidate at the university that is the brother school to the college (sister school) I attended- (Ivy L, 7 Sisters, CT, MA -figure it out...;)- in psychiatric medicine, focusing on mood disorders and substance abuse. I'm also a person living with Bipolar I and who is sick and tired of everyone yapping about Bipolar Illness and not doing much research on it (which is pointed out at the very end of the book.) However, this book is a refreshing surprise in a sea of far too many "I have BP disorder, read MY book b/c I'll tell YOU how to survive!!!" narratives.
Disappointed
As a person with manic depression, I found this book lacking tact. Why refer to the person in question as a "maniac"? Why always refer to the person in question as "he" -- except for the one time the authors pointed out that female "maniacs" often erroneously believe that men are in love with them. (Well! I never! I'll have you know that men ARE in love with me.) It was as if the authors assumed that no person with the illness would actually pick up the book and read it. I felt the whole time as if I were eavesdropping on a conversation about people like me but from which people like me were excluded. (I also found it striking that although the authors chose 4 great men to write about, the cover of the book has on it a sad and scary-looking crazy woman.)
Much needed
While we have some great examples of depression and its link to creativity (think Conroy's "Prince of Tides" or "The Bark of the Dogwood"), there hasn't been enough written about this subject from the perspective that Hershman and Lieb give us.Thisbook is an overview of four talented and well-know men--Newton, Beethoven, Dickens, and Van Gogh.I'm sure the list of manic depressive creative persons is miles longer, but the book focuses on these four.This is an extremely valuable book for anyone attempting to understand the creative mind and how it works (or doesn't).Highly recommended along with "Touched with Fire." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Creative Ability    3. Creativity    4. Depression    5. Genius and mental illness    6. Manic-depressive illness    7. Mental Depression    8. Mental Illness    9. Psychology    10. Creative therapy (eg art, music, drama)    11. Psychiatry   

Reviews (1)

The art of life
In a culture where art and life are often inextricable, Magical Secrets comes as the latest in a series of books, sites and magazines that keep them entwined. In the last few years, the number of magazines and websites devoted to art criticism, art projects and found art, has ballooned, a sign of rising enthusiasm about art among people from all walks of life. There is an abundance of new books, on one hand (the hand of cultural criticism), Michael Kimmelman's The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa, John Updike's Still Looking: Essays on American Art; on the other hand (the hand of pure pop culture) an insurgence of immensely successful novels based as much on art as on life: Girl with a Pearl Earring, Jonathan Harr's The Lost Painting, last but not least, The Da Vinci Code. And then there are plenty of examples of pop cultural criticism, such as Hal Niedzvieki's Hello, I'm Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity, along with countless books and products on the market designed to help everyone from businessmen to babies to bus drivers embrace their own creative genius.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Creative Ability    3. Creativity    4. Psychology    5. Techniques - General    6. Techniques - Printmaking    7. Intaglio processes (eg metal engraving, etching)   

Reviews (16)

Where There IsVision, The People Prosper
There is a line in the Bible that says something to the effect of, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." I'm sorry to say that I do not have a reference for this quote and one day, I will find it and update this review to support it, but the bottom line is that when we don't have a vision for our life, something within us dies. And that's exactly how it is. When we forget our hopes, our dreams, and our wishes and just give into the everyday world, we are forgetting who and what we are and what we are here to be, do, and have.
wonderful tool for accessing our inner visions
I have bought at least ten copies of this book in the five years since I first encountered it.I often end up giving away my only copy and then having to buy it again.It is just the thing for finding your way.The process is marvelously mapped out and easy to follow. I suggest resisting the impulse to skip any steps - the things you don't want to do are likely the very ones you will find most productive.Oh how we do tend to resist change, even as it is the very thing we claim to seek!LOL.
The book that launch 10,000 dreams
This book is a must to launch you directly into your heart's desire. Dr. Capacchione teaches these methods in a certified training program. I found this book to be just what I needed to complete my education,create a career of my dreams, find a new husband, and travel to the places that I desire.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Creative Ability    3. General    4. Problems, exercises, etc    5. Psychology    6. Self-actualization (Psychology    7. Self-actualization (Psychology)    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (11)

Really about the Awakened Mind Pattern
This book refers extensively to the awakened mind pattern developed by Max Cade, and he was Anna's mentor.
Complete & utter rubbish
Bearing in mind Anna Wise supposedly has many years of experience researching eeg feedback she writes a complete load of rubbish. I have never seen so many inaccuracies when it comes to talking about brainwaves and eeg. Technical inaccuracies I mean, almost as though she doesn't know what she's talking about. I run a neurofeedback centre and have a doctorate in his area and it saddens me that so much nonsense is written about brainwaves. Valuable Exploration of Consciousness & Brainwave Patterns
Anna Wise has produced a groundbreaking book on the topic of brainwaves and consciousness.This book examines the relationship between brainwave patterns (frequencies and amplitudes) and states of consciousness and activity.The author discusses neurofeedback techniques and various meditative exercises that can be used to develop desired brainwave patterns.Wise focuses on developing patterns she calls the "high performance mind," which include a mix of the 4 major brain wave frequency ranges.Developing the combined brainwave patterns also helps improve brain hemisphere synchronization.Wise briefly covers topics that relate more directly to metaphysics, such as kundalini, and she seems to be unclear about the full nature of the relationship between brain electrical activity and consciousness, as the brain is merely a tool for consciousness to use in interacting with physical sensory reality.Wise acknowledges that during OBEs brainwave patterns can be weak and non-informative, which shows how consciousness can be very active and dynamic without being filtered through a brain.Thus, there can never be a perfect correlation between brainwaves and consciousness, even though brainwaves usually reflect focii of consciousness and can be entrained for development of consciousness and self-regulation.If that is your interest, then this is an excellent book to gain ideas and insight from. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alpha rhythm    2. Behavior modification    3. Biofeedback training    4. Creative Ability    5. Creativity    6. Inspiration & Personal Growth    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (3)

fantastic!
This book is really helpful for people starting out (like students or novices), or for anyone who really needs to kickstart their "outside-the-box" thinking. It has a lot of drawing excercises, each excercise is pretty quickly done in your spare time, and their is even space on each page for you to sketch. The only thing I don't like is that many excercises require you to use outside materials (ex: stamp pad?) or the computer (ex: type excercises) I enjoy it and think you should buy it (but not at full price). :)

a great design workout!
tons of great visual exercises that really revive creative juices! Allows you to expand your vision and provides a creative resource.

can't design without it!
This book is a must-have for any professor, designer or aspiring design student. The full range of creative problems stimulates and enriches! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Business & Economics    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Commercial art    6. Creative Ability    7. General    8. Graphic Arts - General    9. Graphic arts    10. Methodology    11. Study and teaching    12. Technique    13. Art / Graphic Arts    14. Computer graphics software    15. Graphic design   

Reviews (25)

Creativity for Anal-Retentive, Hard-Driving, Left-Brainers
Bravo to Tharp!This book bore her soul in such an honest way, that I could not put it down.She drew upon her experiences, her beliefs about the human experience, her successes, her failures, and her crowning pinnacle (Movin' Out) to demonstrate that we all possess creativity... if we work at it.I teach MBA classes part time, and was charged with constructing a class on creativity.Tharp's book was at the top of my reading list, and this rating actually represents 25 5-star ratings, as my students overwhelmingly selected it as their favorite read of the semester.With dry wit and sensible exercises, Tharp challenges the readers to look for ideas and inspiration in new places, to play and shape and mold their ideas into something useful, and to develop the instestinal fortitude to implement them in a meaningful and successful way.
Hooked on the Habit
The Creative Habit, Learn It and Use It For Lifeby Twyla Tharp
Inspiring, Directive, & a Great Read
When I saw Twyla Tharp's book recently at a book sale I was in the frame of mind where I was looking to tap more into my creativity.I had zero clue as to that author's past and have never been interested in the dance world.The book is constructed well with different chapters on the steps of creativity with exercises at the end of each chapter.Many of these exercises are simple to try for example writing a mini biography or arranging coins into a pattern.
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Subjects:  1. Creation (Literary, artistic,    2. Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)    3. Creative Ability    4. Creative thinking    5. Creativity    6. General    7. Self-Help    8. Self-Help & Practical Interests    9. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (29)

Highly Recommended!For both your work and for your personal life.
I read Full Steam Ahead! for the second time this week.I had originally purchased the book last winter because my boss wanted us to create a shared vision.Everyone in our department read the book and then we followed the process described by the authors.It has been an amazing experience for all of us.I saw my boss shift from someone who had good intentions but tended to be over-controlling and mistrustful to someone who was willing to let all us to take charge and make decisions.Because we all shared the same vision and values, we all began to trust each other more also.The atmosphere at work is, well... all I can say is I look forward to going to work each day.We have fun and are more productive than ever.The quality of our work has increased immeasurably and we get great feedback from our customers.
Fabulous!
Full Steam Ahead! is the best book I've read this year.My husband and I own our own business.After both reading the book, we sat down together and created a vision for our business.It was exciting and helped us get really focused.We were then able to discuss it with our employees.Their ideas made our vision even richer.And, to our delight, created an amazing amount of energy.We are all working so much better together now.I can't say more.You need to read the book yourself and then you'll understand.
Powerful, practical, useful!
Full steam ahead is a phenomenal book.It was critical to my understanding of vision.Prior to reading to this book, my understanding of vision was fuzzy at best, limited to what I know in scripture.Of vision, scripture states (Habakkuk 2:2) that we should write the vision and make it plain upon tables that he that reads it might run with it.The Hebrew word for vision, `chazown', indicates that the vision is a mental picture.Beyond that, I had never been clear on the elements of a vision, neither did I have a clear idea of how to craft a vision statement.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Corporate Planning    6. Creative Ability    7. Decision Making & Problem Solving    8. Leadership    9. Strategic Planning    10. Business & Economics / Leadership    11. Business & Management   

Reviews (3)

enhancing your own creativity
With extensive scholarship, Dr. Piirto relates a fascinating overview of approaches to creativity, from the mystical to the pragmatic, the psychodynamic and psychometric to the cognitive. She notes that psychologist Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi makes a distinction of "Big C" creativity (eminent people making significant contributions to a domain), and "little c" creativity "by which human beings lead their everyday lives."
How parents and teachers can enhance creativity
Understanding Creativity is an examination of the psychological impulses that drive the quality in human beings broadly labeled as "creativity," which also covers how parents and teachers can enhance creativity, as well as the cognitive aspect of creative writers, scientists, musicians, and physical performers, as well as ways to assess and train creativity. Author Jane Piirto, a teacher of the College of Education and the Director of Talent Development Education in Ashland University, offers a wealth of research, theory, and a guideline around the Seven I's - Inspiration, Imagery, Imagination, Intuition, Insight, Incubation and Improvisation - to form the foundation of a solid creative process. Understanding Creativity needs to be carefully read by anyone charged with the responsibility of recognizing talent in children, setting a creative tone with children, and encouraging children to utilize their creativity in their personal lives.

Become more creative!
Dr. Jane Piirto has put together one of the best resources for anyone interested in creativity. The biographic examples of highly creative people are fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed this comprehenvie text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Development    2. Creative Ability    3. Creativity    4. Education & Training    5. Psychology   

Reviews (4)

A major psychological study
In his study, Dr Storr investigates the urge which drives artists to produce works of art. Interestingly enough, an author like George Simenon stated that "Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness." For some artists, creating is a wish-fulfilment like for Frederik Rolfe who was a psychopathic personality and a paranoid and who was also querulous, egocentric, suspicious and misanthropic. Or James Bond, the character who was a wish-fulfilling fantasy of what Ian Flemming would like to have been. The desire for fame and honour is also a part of an artist's motivation. Some artists attach such enormous importance to their work that it can be considered as an addiction in which the creative activity is sometimes used as a defence. Many artists show a schizoid character: they are introverted, solitary people, preoccupied with inner rather than outer reality because they feel weak and vulnerable vis-�-vis others. Dr Storr mentions Franz Kafka, Charles Dickens, Bertrand Russel and Albert Einstein. Indeed, it is the capacity for extreme abstraction combined with a retention of contact with reality which makes creative achievement of a high order so remarkable.Had Isaac Newton not been anxious, insecure, hypochondriacal and self-disparaging with paranoid tendencies making him live in near total seclusion, he may never have achieved what he did.
Storr, Freud, and Jung
Storr not only clears up much of the misinformation surrounding creativity and madness, but once again proves himself to be a remarkably clear interpreter of both Freud and Jung.

The Dynamics of Creation
Storr never fails to amaze me with the depth of his perceptions.He dicusses 'head-on' the kind of ideas that one has thought of before, but never persued.He manages to cover every view-point without obvious bias...I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the reasons one is drawn to create, and the links between mental illness and creativity/madness and genius...... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Creative Ability    2. Creativity    3. Psychology    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (4)

Muse
One of the problems for an artist who wants to develop his or her creativity is knowing what creativity is.Some hope to lure a bolt from the blue that will change their view of the world.What they are probably looking for is inspiration.
Great Concept and Exercises, but Difficult to "Translate"
As someone who is lucky enough to make my creative work my life's work, I was very interested to see what this book had to say.The concept of being true to one's creative process is important to me and I liked the idea of this book, but the execution was somewhat lacking.The narrative was interesting, but often I had a hard time connecting with her experiences and translating them to my life.The exercises at the end of each chapter, however, were very useful and thought-provoking.A good book to help restart or rejuvenate anyone's creative proc