Handbook of Creativity (ISBN 0521572851)

Book Description:
The Handbook of Creativity provides a comprehensive, definitive, and authoritative single-volume review of t he entire field of creativity. Twenty-two chapters introduce the field and deal with methods in studying creativity, origins of creativity, the self and environment in creativity, special topics in creativity, and conclusions. Each of the essays are written to be accessible to all educated readers.

Not for getting informed but to understand the subject!:
Dr.Sternberg's book on the evolution process of creativity research is a splendit source for anybody who deals with social sciences, a must for organizational behaviorists and a very satisfactory piece of reading for general reader. The book does not give mere descriptions on the scope of creativity but it provides great amount of knowledge on the evolutionary process of creativity research from ancient times up to today! Furthermore, the subject of creativity has been examined both from theoretical and methodological perspective in such a creative manner which gives a very good knowledge about the major approaches, the outcomes of the previous researchs, main obstacles in the course of investigation, and finally the probable studies for further research on the creativity. Consequently, the reader finds a good chance not only to have a detailed theoretical and practical information on the subject but also to learn the main approaches of outstanding social scientists towards the subject and not mentioning about the meticoulisly prepared bibliography. I am amazed with the intensity of Dr.Sternberg's study the language of which is clear enough those of us whose Mother tongue is not English (like me!).

Using The Left Brain Too Much To Understand Right Brain:
Although all the contributors of the book wrote about creativity, their writing and presentation styles are stiff, dry, and boring--- totally uncreative! They used too much of their left brain to discuss a fascinating subject like creativity, which is supposed to be fun, lively, and thoughts provoking. The only merit of this book is that it is a well-researched facts book on creativity, very suitable for the academic people. It focuses more on the WHY side of creativity, rather than on the HOW TO side, which makes it less practical and appealing to the creativity practitioners or end-users! Still a good book to put on the bookshelf though.

Thick and plentiful - worth it but not easy:
Sternberg's Handbook has an almost mythical reputation amongst the Creative Studies Students at Buffalo State College. While there are shortcomings to the Handbook, areas where key authors or subjects are missing (it is written from the behavioral scientist point of view, and there are other, equally valid viewpoints in creative studies), each chapter will have plenty of food for thought. And, guaranteed, you will have the time to digest this food for thought, as each and every chapter requires slow and careful reading. If the writing were to be any denser, it would tear free from the pages and sink to the very center of the Earth! Yet, there is so much information that, in the end, the knowledge derived is more than worth the work needed to get at it. One last note: This is a handbook for those interested in the deep research on creativity. It is NOT suitable a "first book" for anyone starting out to learn about creativity!

Using The Left Brain Too Much To Understand Right Brain:
Although all the contributors of the book wrote about creativity, their writing and presentation styles are stiff, dry, and boring--- totally uncreative! They used too much of their left brain to discuss a fascinating subject like creativity, which is supposed to be fun, lively, and thoughts provoking. The only merit of this book is that it is a well-researched facts book on creativity, very suitable for the academic people. It focuses more on the WHY side of creativity, rather than on the HOW TO side, which makes it less practical and appealing to the creativity practitioners or end-users! Still a good book to put on the bookshelf though.

Comprehensive:
The compilation of essays from leaders in the field of creativity provide a good picture of the current state of creativity research.