The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the Process of Reaching Goals [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Don Koberg (Author), Jim Bagnall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2003

This unique book will open your eyes to effective and stimulating formulas for solving problems. Discover how techniques developed in specialized disciplines can be applied to almost any business, social, or personal situation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Crisp Learning; 3 edition (July 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560526793
• ISBN-13: 978-1560526797
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Planning & Forecasting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Its Weight in Gold . . . ., August 13, 2007

By 

Jim Maxwell "Around Town" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the Process of Reaching Goals (Paperback)

I stumbled across this book in a bookstore in 1971, shortly after it was initially published. It has been, and continues to be, one of the most important books I have ever read.

It is true that the UT is a tremendous aid in unlocking a creative spirit necessary to various design problem situations. But the real power of the book is to be found when it is applied to all aspects of one's life in general. This is due to the fact that, for those more philosophically minded, The Universal Traveler method embodies a "moderate realist" approach to reality. In the process of solving problems, or improving situations as Koberg and Bagnall term it, you can make tremendous discoveries regarding both the structure of reality and, most important, the character of your self.

Should you choose to purchase and use this book, I would like to offer you some advice: read the book twice and then use it exactly as Koberg and Bagnall suggest. Start with small and limited projects and develop your understanding of the method before you move on to bigger and more complex ones. ** You will only unlock the power of this work by using the method. "" And, lastly, I would highly recommend you find one of the early editions, 1971 to 1976. There was a magic in the early work that seems to have been lost in the more "improved" editions.

I would like to thank publicly both Don Koberg and Jim Bagnall for having written this book. I can state without hesitation that it ranks among the top 10 books I have ever read. I use the UT process/method daily. As I have said over the years to the countless people to whom I have recommended this book, " . . . it is worth its weight in gold."

Happy Traveling!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's good to see the original version again., January 24, 2007

By 

Designer (West Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the Process of Reaching Goals (Paperback)

I was introduced to the Universal Traveler while studying architecture during the 1970's. Over the past thirty years this book has pulled me out of creative ruts on numerous occasions. Whenever you become become bogged down during a design problem, take your mind off the issues and flip through the Univeral Traveler. The Traveler will re-equip you with fresh ideas to redefine your problem or question your approach. When you put the book down, you will be back on your design journey with renewed energy. I highly recommend this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book has helped me for almost 30 years, March 16, 2007

By 

Michael Gasperi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the Process of Reaching Goals (Paperback)

I first read this book in 1979. Since then I've successfully used many of its techniques in my job as a research engineer. Recently I was asked by an intern how I was able to think so creatively. I told her about the book and assumed it was long out of print. I'm delighted to see it is still available. I highly recommend this book. For me it has stood the test of time.