Customer Reviews

How to Mind Map

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is a good book. It covers mind mapping briefly. It could have been even more brief, but for the rather outlandish claims of its author. Tony Buzan is given to a lot of exaggeration. Shorn of the inflated claims, the book could well have been a small and effective booklet.

The subject of the book is worthy of learning and usage. Mind mapping offers a very easy technique that requires little more than color pens and paper (though rather expensive software is also available). The method is simple -- a central topic in the middle, followed by radiating branches denoting concepts, sub-concepts, and further conceptual breakdowns. Arranging information spatially rather than linearly as in to-do lists and written notes helps place each node of information in context, and also helps the brain "grok" the entire picture all at once.

One thing I find surprising about Buzan's book is -- why did he not mind-map his book itself? It would have been much easier to understand the concepts that way.

I would recommend that you purchase the book by Joyce Wycoff rather than this one. The former book contains some good examples of mind maps and its applications.

For those inclined to using software, FreeMind is an excellent freeware application that helps one create mind maps.

The information in this book can be obtained online, and the preaching you can live without. Mind mapping is pretty intuitive. Once you see one you will say "I get it" and start using them. There is simply not enough information to go on and on about them in multiple books. I thought maybe I was missing something. Now I feel like I was snookered into paying for someone's info-mercial. The basic idea is good, and the binding is cute.

I wish I'd known how to do this in college!

Mind Mapping is great tool with all sorts of uses and this book is short enough for anyone to learn how to do it. Like most "life-hack" type tools, you'll get out of it what you put into it. In other words, you have learn it and use it to get much benefit.

I do recommend it for kids--it's a great, simple way to organize most writing assignments, speeches, and other projects. They'll probably still have to do the old boring Roman numeral outlines, I suppose, but the mind-map can make that much easier, too!

So, Buzan's a bit grandiose--mind-mapping probably won't bring world peace, but hey, neither does anything else!

This book is wrong about the brain, and is wrong to hype mind mapping into every task in the universe. The left/right brain info is just myth, the 1% brain use stuff is just myth. The newer stuff on multiple intelligences is just rhetoric (he keeps adding intelligences as he goes along, blowing with the wind).

People have been using graphic organizers for centuries. Tony Buzan only originated the hype. Here is similar hype that led to some litigation (by a different author).

http://www.quackwatch.org/02ConsumerProtection/FTCActions/trudeau.html

Best to stick with learning/communication methods that actually are appropriate for the task.

JVogel

How to Mind Map
By Tony Buzan

I want to say this: I really marvel at the marketing savvy of Tony Buzan in spinning more & more books from his original pioneering collection of five books published by the BBC outfit during the seventies, without adding any real value - & or new technological enhancements - to his loyal readers. I find that most of his newer books since then tend to be rehashed or expanded mildly with a slight twist.

This book is no exception. For a greenhorn, this book still stands out as relatively great work. The step by step instructions on doing your own mind maps are very clear & easy to follow. However, the moment you start to compare this book with the author's earlier works, for example, `Use Both Sides of Your Brain' or `Make the Most of Your Mind' or `The Mind Map Book, or `Mind Maps at Work', anyone can see clearly that there are no new insights. What a real disappointment!

I would have thought that, if Tony Buzan had really wanted to add value to his loyal readers, instead of his own pockets, he should probably have created a mind map of the book's contents in the form of a large poster, which can then be folded to form a handy pocket guide for readers. This would have been a great gift to his loyal readers. However, one of his early disciples in the United States, Michael Gelb, had already jumped the gun by producing one good one in the late eighties. Please read my review of Michael Gelb's `The New Mind Map'. In this case, Tony Buzan could still do something better: he could probably make use of his iMindMap software to create an exploded view of the book's contents! He could even put it in a CD or DVD format where readers can access the mind map with a viewer.

To sum up: Has Tony Buzan run out of steam? Sad to say, I believe so.

Did you ever wonder how to take notes in those courses on intangible concepts and topics that just don't lend themselves to linear note taking?

When teaching in colleges in the USA, my first class lecture is always on effective learning, centered around the use of "MindMapping".

From that 1st class forward each class session begins with a 5 min. "quiz" where students come up front and mind map a portion of the previous class. You should see them race to the board to get what they remember up there before anyone else!

This book does what the others don't, it shows the down & dirty techniques used for basic skills. I usually refer folks to the web for lessons on basic mind mapping and more advanced concepts.

This small pocket sized guide will certainly come in handy for those just learning the technique. Carry it in a pocket ready to pull out in class when you need a crash course. Or more likely & importantly to share mindmapping with other students and in most cases the instructor as well.

Along with this information I highly recommend this book by Joyce Wycoff:
Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving

Armed with these two resources, anyone would reap the full benefits of what Tony Buzan has brought to our world of learning.

-Uncle Bobsquatch

The book describes how our brain works, and explains the mind map as a graphical tool to apply radiant thinking which is described as a more effective way of using our brain potential. The book is well written, easy to read and follow, full of beautiful images and convincing arguments.

The author explains how to use radiant thinking to maximize our untapped potential. Presented clearly and colorfully, the book explains how we can come up with our own mind maps to help improve our memory, concentration and creativity in planning and structuring our thoughts. I found the book interesting and enlightening as it explains a more natural approach to organize thoughts than what we are trained to think linearly.

This book shows you the various ways that you can create a mind map and how this can be helpful in all subjects. Since reading the book I have been using mind maps to organize my work, learn French, make out my daily to do list, planning meetings, writing minutes and outline papers I will present with some success. The book is well worth reading.

This book is about the most ridiculous sales hype I have read. I understand that some graphic devices can be useful at specific times and in specific tasks, but this book more or less preaches and preaches that it should be used to bring the galaxy together hand in hand in harmony.

The "theory" used to explain its efficacy is both wrong and gives a wrong impression of this limited technique. The left right brain myths are used as a convenient concept that fits perfectly to market the mind map (there is an obvious left and right). It all falls to pieces when you realize the brain does not actually work like a mind map at all!

But carrying the book about with you like a bible, in the delusion that "THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE" is probably less useful than carrying a sink plunger everywhere you go. If you have a strong faith in sink plungers, the effect will be even stronger. I mean, the book is written like evangelism, and only evangelists will enjoy it. Thinkers will not.

This book is about getting more people to buy into the Buzan book series. Lots of promises that are not going to appear in reality, even when the last Buzan title is bought. Use the plunger and unblock that mental blockage.

If you want to improve abilities, avoid hype, and go for a good study methods book that has a good wide range of strategies and well researched psychology, rather than spider diagramming yourself into left/right guru worship.

Keep an open mind, and don't let the Buzan hype limit your options.

Regards
Reynal

Mind mapping is a powerful tool. It has helped me in many ways, remembering material for exams, planning for future, preparing for presentation, or more. I do agree with the previous reviewer that most of the material on this book can be found on internet. I have downloaded much info for mind map myself. But which book is so original that you cannot find any piece (concrete of conceptional) of it from internet? Besides, excellently edited/organized color pages, like children's books, are always pleasant, isn't it?

To promote the tool of mind map, a tiny book like this is an excellent gift idea. How many of you have friends who do not use internet? How many of you have friends who use internet, but cannot find the information he/she needs? How many of you have friends who simply do not believe what they see on the screen? How many of you read electric-shock-proof material in bathroom? How many of you want to give a gift that can ultimately change the recipient's life? This is it!!!

You can carry it to work, baseball games, or picnic. This book can easily slip into your pocket and provide good reference to the methodology of mind map when needed. This book can also serve as an anchor on your book shelf to remind you constantly the value of mind map. I cannot see the reason why you should not have it as a gift...even if you know this method by heart like I do...

Give this book to family members, co-workers, students, relatives, and any one you care about. The mind map methodology may be the one thing they need today to suceed!

It was a very interesting book inwhich I learned a lot. a very easy read.