The above sentence is the rallying call of the authors of the book, ”Imagination First: Unclocking the Power of Possibility”. Through this book, the authors, Eric Liu and Scott Noppe Brandon introduce a new angle of looking at the notion of imagination. As opposed to the traditional or conventional mind set of imagination being the a gift not bestowed on everyone, the authors argue that imagination is in fact a habit that can be nurtured and cultivated by everybody with a healthy working mind. This is indeed a breakthrough as it challenges the cast-in-stone mind set that imagination is a mystery, gifted by the God to whom he chooses and that imagination is inextricably linked only to the man of arts.
The aim of this book or rather the purpose of this book, according to the authors, is to show readers that it’s possible to develop and cultivate imagination. The authors begin with the introduction of concept, which is highly essential. Breaking away from the usual approach of creative and creativity books, the readers will notice that the book is devoid of any funny cartoon, wacky lines and idea boxes. In my opinion, this is a masterstroke on the part of the authors since it will lend a certain aura of crediblity so that readers will take the book seriously. However, the approach is balanced with the use simple language and true stories, told in a light manner to enable readers to relate. Thus, it ensures a well-balanced representation of the topic. Also, the book will not be dismissed as another attempt to get people to think cartoons and light bulbs when talking about imagination.
The authors divide the book into 3 parts. The first one is The Premise, The Practices forms the later part of the book and The Purposes is its end.
In ’The Premise’, the authors excellently explain the what,why and how of the imagination. Here, the authors attempts to convert the readers to embrace the main idea of the book i.e. imagination is something that can be worked on and nit gifts from the skies. The authors define imagination as the capacity to conceive of what is not, or does not exist, or something that may exist but canot be simply perceived. The authors further proceed to introduce the correlation between imagination, creativity and innovation and argue that the 3 concepts are related but are different stages or phases of a continuum. But most interestingly, what I understand from the book is that out of the 3, the most important is imagination as one can never be creative or innovative without being imaginative or having imagination. Hence the title of the book – Imagination First. Points to ponder, maybe?
This chapter contains with arguments to break the myths associated with imagination such as, ”You Either Have It Or You Don’t”, ”Imagination Is A Mystery” and ”ImaginationCan’t Be Taught”. Bold ideas indeed, but very novel. The authors also explain the importance of imagination in our lives as almost every parts of our life depends on it.
The second chapter is a ’how to chapter’. In this chapter, the authors lay out for the readers 28 practices on how to imagine (for those who have not) and how to sharpen your imagination (for those who already have). Careful reading will reveal that the book in fact offers 29 practices as 1 practice is listed as Practice 12.5.
The authors divide the book into 3 parts. The first one is The Premise, The Practices forms the later part of the book and The Purposes is its end.
In ’The Premise’, the authors excellently explain the what,why and how of the imagination. Here, the authors attempts to convert the readers to embrace the main idea of the book i.e. imagination is something that can be worked on and nit gifts from the skies. The authors define imagination as the capacity to conceive of what is not, or does not exist, or something that may exist but canot be simply perceived. The authors further proceed to introduce the correlation between imagination, creativity and innovation and argue that the 3 concepts are related but are different stages or phases of a continuum. But most interestingly, what I understand from the book is that out of the 3, the most important is imagination as one can never be creative or innovative without being imaginative or having imagination. Hence the title of the book – Imagination First. Points to ponder, maybe?
This chapter contains with arguments to break the myths associated with imagination such as, ”You Either Have It Or You Don’t”, ”Imagination Is A Mystery” and ”ImaginationCan’t Be Taught”. Bold ideas indeed, but very novel. The authors also explain the importance of imagination in our lives as almost every parts of our life depends on it.
The second chapter is a ’how to chapter’. In this chapter, the authors lay out for the readers 28 practices on how to imagine (for those who have not) and how to sharpen your imagination (for those who already have). Careful reading will reveal that the book in fact offers 29 practices as 1 practice is listed as Practice 12.5.
The last chapter forms the concluding part of the book. The authors take the opportunity of reiterate that as with other things, there is no apparent short cut. Imagination or the capacity to imagine needs to be worked on and practiced. And it will take time. And some may take longer than others.
The book comes with a bonus feature in the form of a web support for its readers. Readers can log on to http://lciweb.lincolncenter.org/imaginationfirst/ to further enhance their reading experience.
The book could not have come at a better time. With the present leadership espousing the need to be creative and innovative in discharging tasks entrusted to us, the book serves as a guideline to further increase the understanding and assist in fleshing them out. The book tries to answer the pertinent question that is undoubtedly present on the minds of civil servants at any one time or another i.e. how to be creative? The answer – Imagination First! It is interesting to note that this important part of the creative/iinivative equation or continuum has always been left out or being given little discussion time considering its importance and how fundamental it is.
However, I would like to caution readers that while it contains some answers, the book will not be the all-encompassing solution to the above question. Mere reading of the book will not bring out anything unless one follows it with the measured process of cultivation of the imagination habit.
On the down side, I find the book to be too simplistic. The authors could have endeavoured to put a bit more emphasis on the need to cultivate and nurture the imagination habit. As with other self-help book, finishing the book from cover to cover will not make one’s life better. It wholly depends on the effort of the readers to embrace and turn the printed words into practice.
This is a recommended read.
The book comes with a bonus feature in the form of a web support for its readers. Readers can log on to http://lciweb.lincolncenter.org/imaginationfirst/ to further enhance their reading experience.
The book could not have come at a better time. With the present leadership espousing the need to be creative and innovative in discharging tasks entrusted to us, the book serves as a guideline to further increase the understanding and assist in fleshing them out. The book tries to answer the pertinent question that is undoubtedly present on the minds of civil servants at any one time or another i.e. how to be creative? The answer – Imagination First! It is interesting to note that this important part of the creative/iinivative equation or continuum has always been left out or being given little discussion time considering its importance and how fundamental it is.
However, I would like to caution readers that while it contains some answers, the book will not be the all-encompassing solution to the above question. Mere reading of the book will not bring out anything unless one follows it with the measured process of cultivation of the imagination habit.
On the down side, I find the book to be too simplistic. The authors could have endeavoured to put a bit more emphasis on the need to cultivate and nurture the imagination habit. As with other self-help book, finishing the book from cover to cover will not make one’s life better. It wholly depends on the effort of the readers to embrace and turn the printed words into practice.
This is a recommended read.
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