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A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative Paperback – December 1, 1998

by Roger von Oech (Author)

124 customer reviews

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Product Details

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Business Plus; Revised edition (December 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446674559
ISBN-13: 978-0446674553
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2567 in Books > Self-Help > Creativity
- #4608 in Books > Business & Money > Job Hunting & Careers > Guides
- #265070 in Books > Reference

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Customer Reviews

124

4.4 out of 5 stars

5 star		61%
4 star		26%
3 star		4%
2 star		6%
1 star		3%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 95 people found the following review helpful

Yes, It's True...You Really Can be More Creative

By Robert Morris HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on May 6, 2000

Format: Paperback

This book should be read in combination with A Kick in the Seat of the Pants...and preferably read first. Just a suggestion. Von Oech demonstrates in his thinking and in his writing the same principles he advocates so eloquently. In Whack, first published in 1983, he identifies ten "locks" which limit (if not preclude) creative thinking:

The Right Answer

That's Not Logical

Follow the Rules

Be Practical

Play Is Frivolous

That's Not My Area

Avoid Ambiguity

Don't Be Foolish

To Err Is Wrong

I'm Not Creative

How does each limit (if not preclude) creative thinking? How can each be "unlocked"? To what extent are these barriers interdependent? Von Oech devotes a separate chapter to each of the ten, answering these and other questions while providing various exercises in support of his explanations.

Whack will be immensely valuable to executives in any organization which needs a culture within which to generate and then nourish fresh ideas and new perspectives. The same is true of all self-employed people (especially independent consultants) whose customers or clients expect them to address the same need. Finally, I think that school, college, and university classroom teachers can devise all manner of appropriate applications of von Oech's ideas. When you listen to Richard Feyman's lectures on physics (now available on audio cassettes), you suspect that he has read all of von Oech's books. He probably didn't. Nonetheless, he and von Oech are kindred spirits.

In addition to von Oech's A Kick in the Seat of the Pants, there are other excellent books also worthy of your consideration. They include those written by Edward de Bono, Guy Claxton, Michael Michalko, and Joey Reiman.

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47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

This book changed my life!!!

By A Customer on May 15, 1999

Format: Paperback

This book deserves 8 stars out of 5! My first encounter with this book came when my roommate gave it to me as a Christmas present. She had read it in a creativity course and said this book changed her perception of the world and helped her be more creative.It is clearly organized and very easy to understand. Plus, it gives you the tools to apply its ideas to your problems in order to find creative solutions. Now a year later I give A Whack on the Side of the Head to my friends for Christmas! I also loved his new product on Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher. The cards feature thirty sayings that will make you think about the world and your problems in a whole new way. Kudos Roger von Oech on all your creative thinking tools.

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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

A must-have book in your Creativity & Innovation Library & must-have card deck on your desktop!

By Lee Say Keng on May 29, 2006

Format: Paperback

I am a raving fan of Roger von Oech's creative work as embodied in his books & card decks, namely:

Books:

- A Whack on the Side of the Head;
- A Kick in the Seat of the Pants;
- Expect the Unexpected;

Card Decks:

- Creative Whack Pack;
- Innovative Whack Pack;
- Ancient Whacks of Heraclitus;

I have used all his creativity stuff ever since I started my own strategy consulting (& book store) business in late 1991.

From my personal & professional experience, I would like to say that the entire collection of Roger von Oech's creative work has been designed to serve three strategic purposes:

- understanding - & removing - your mental blocks;
- breaking your habitual patterns;
- shifting your focus & changing your paradigms;

As a matter of fact, once you appreciate & commit to these three strategic purposes in your life, you will soon realise that there is nothing in this world to stop you from getting rid of old ideas & getting new & fresh ideas.

Allow me to quote Edward de Bono: "...the mind is habitually uncreative - it is usually preoccupied with organising masses of incoming data into convenient patterns. Once this pattern is established, then the mind tends to rely upon that pattern in future situations, in order to facilitate decision making & action in an otherwise complex world..." (The Use of Lateral Thinking).

Breaking old habitual patterns is definitely the first & foremost priority in your journey to creativity!

Once your shift your focus, you begin to change your paradigms or the way you look at the world around you. Always remember this: Your brain follows the direction of your dominant thought.Read more ›

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48 of 53 people found the following review helpful

THE BEST of all time CREATIVITY BOOKs.

By T SANTOSO on May 7, 2002

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I did seminar and workshop on entrepreneruship and creativity and have read probably about 20 books on creativity. And i have to admit this is the BEST BOOK on creativity. this is THE CLASSIC book on the subject. The author hs just written a new book (EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED) but this onw is WAY SUPERIOR and BETTER.
This is an old book but still freash to read and delighting to enjoy. The samples and the materials are easy to read yet very2 strong and useful.
I gave away this books to friends who want to learn more about creativity and want to change his/her attitude toward life.
Most people know that creativity is one of the key element of success yet so few take action of any sort to do something about it. So do yourself a favor, go and buy this book, read, and start think about it in your daily life. it will be beneficial for your future success and happiness.

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