The Genius Machine: The 11 Steps That Turn Raw Ideas into Brilliance by Gerald Sindell

OK, right off the top, this book has a great title. That's why I picked it up in the airport bookstore - it wasn't because I knew the author or had heard about or read a review of the book. I, of course, still scanned it using my normal criteria once a book is in my hand to make a buying decision, but it started only with the title and its promise. (This isn't the first time I've done that, and it won't be the last.)

So it's established that I like the title and subtitle. And I'm guessing you do too. Since all of us, whether we think about it or not, are in the idea business anything that helps us turn "raw ideas into brilliance" has some allure.

Generally this book delivers.

The eleven steps make sense and clearly are written by a wise man who is good with words. The book is short (135 pages before the index), yet I did feel on some of the steps that I "had it" before the end. However, it was still worth finishing each chapter. It talks about an important process, and I liked Gerald's delivery.

One of the best measures of a book for me is how many ideas did it spawn? How many things did I underline or highlight? What made it into my journal or in the margins of the book?

By this measure the book does well. Some of the steps spoke more to me, but that likely says as much about my mindset and experience than anything else. The book closes with some great questions to ask of yourself and your ideas at each step - and these are very interesting and valuable.

If you are responsible for idea generation or want to bring more ideas to fruition more successfully, time spent with this book will be a wise investment.

Learn More and Purchase from Amazon

Digg it |  del.icio.us |  Technorati |  StumbleUpon |