Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving (Paperback)

~ (Author) "As the Enterprise speeds away into the darkness, a somber voice begins the introduction with . . . "Space . . . the final frontier..." (more)
Key Phrases: mouse diapers, nonlinear note, brain traits, Michael Gelb

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Readers can finally break down the blocks that hinder free thinking and discover their vast stores of innovative ideas involving whole-brain thinking techniques presented here. "A no-nonsense, practical guide to help put creative powers to work!"--Michael LeBoeuf, author of Imagineering.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042512780X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425127803
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Strong emphasis on business issues, October 17, 2001

By	Preston Nevins - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is divided into three sections:
1: two chapters as a brief introduction to the brain and creativity
2: one chapter on how to create mind maps
3: eight chapters covering ways that mindmaps can be used within a larger context of (as the book's title says) creativity and problem-solving. Specifically, there are chapters on writing, projects, brainstorming, meetings, to-do lists, presentations, learning, and overall personal growth.

One item of note is that "Mindmapping" has a very strong emphasis on teaching you how mind maps can be used in business settings. For example, the chapter on writing has a big section on business writing, and the meetings and presentation chapters are entirely business-related. The book also covers other uses for mind maps, but not to the degree that it focuses on business. If business-related mind map information is what you're looking for, then this may well be the book for you. If you're looking for a broader-based overview of uses for, and techniques of making, mind maps however, you might not be left entirely satisfied. "Mindmapping" lost one star in my rating because of this imbalance, which ideally should be mentioned in the title: "Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving IN BUSINESS" or some such.

The other star was lost for the tendency, mentioned in other reviews here, to get off the subject of mindmapping and examine tangentally-related issues such as general tips for running meetings and the like.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid concise book, October 13, 2004

By	Brian J. Carroll (MN United States) - See all my reviews

If you're a busy person who is who is interested in learning how to use mindmapping for business - you'll appreciate this concise book. If you're an intermediate mind mapper, (I've been mind mapping for 2 years) there's nothing new. The book heavily emphasizes business concepts so I don't recommend this book if you're not interested in business related mind mapping.

The author focuses on general business related matters, meetings, brainstorming, to-do list, writing, problem solving that are relevant points for business people. She doesn't get into advanced mindmapping concepts like Tony Buzan's, "The Mind Map Book." But it's 150 pages shorter.

The author began her own career in accounting, as a result of mind mapping, she is now is consulting on creativity matters for business... pretty amazing if you ask me.

Brian Carroll
Author of Lead Generation for the Complex Sale : Boost the Quality and Quantity of Leads to Increase Your ROI

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MindMapping -- Food for Thought, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

Although Joyce Wycoff's book gets off to a very slow start, it later proves to be quite useful and inspiring.

The first sectioned bored me with too much "how to use this book" information and information about how the mind works. I kept wondering when in she going to tell me exactly what mindmapping is and how to use it. When will the commerical end? Also, Joyce sometimes loses focuses and starts lecturing me about "avoiding sexism" and the importance of using short words in my writing. This has nothing to do with mindmapping. The book would be better if it focused more on the technique of mind mapping itself.

There are some excellent and inspiring ideas, however, on how to use mind mapping. I've already used some of these ideas and the results have been quite satisfying. The material includes ideas on how to use mind mapping for:

Group brainstorming sessions. Creating and using To-Do lists. Preparing for and Making Presentations. Improving Learning Skills. Mapping for personal growth.

I highly recommend Wycoff's MINDMAPPING.