Book Review: The Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy

Book: The Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy
Author: Tom Monahan

Read this book. Seriously. If you are serious about going into creative advertising, or any job that involves some sort of problem solving, then you need to read this book.

This is essentially a brainstorming book, with all kinds of different ways you can brainstorm, either individually, or in a group. The names of some of the techniques are wacky, and will entice you to the point that you don't read the book in order.

You shouldn't read this book in order anyway. Read any section that you want at any time. It makes it much more fun. You will find yourself referring back to this book quite often, especially when you realize that these brainstorming techniques actually work.

Besides all of the brainstorming techniques, Monahan also introduces you to the idea of talent vs. creativity. I won't spoil it for you, but I know a lot of people will breathe a sigh of relief when they read that section.

Also intertwined throughout the book are little quotes from famous creative people and testimonials from people who took Monahan's course in brainstorming. This makes for great breaks in the action, and throws you some curve balls that make you think. Sometimes, no matter how great a book can be, you can almost get lulled to sleep by the act of reading (at least, that happens to me sometimes). But with all these little breaks that Monahan puts in, that will not happen  and your eyes will end up moving all over the page.

My favourite feature that this book has are what Monahan calls Cheat Notes. They summarize the chapter that you just read, so if you forget something and don't want to read the whole chapter again, you can just read the Cheat notes instead of skim.

I found myself using some of the techniques that Monahan described in my own work, wither in a group, or individually. They were very helpful and made for some good fun. A few pretty good ideas came of those sessions too.

I highly recommend this book. If you are in any job where you have to problem solve all the time, then this book is for you. This isn't just an advertising book, this is a Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy.

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