This is my review of the Myths of Innovation (Kindle version) by Scott Berkun.
Fascinating book not just on the so called myths around inventors and their innovations but also on the challenges of managing creativity. In the beginning Scott provides perspective on famous and historic inventors and inventions. Later on he provides structure on fostering personal creativity, managing other possible innovators and provides a framework for pitching your eventual brilliant idea to other people.
I’ve long since realized well-known creators are normal people who have an uncanny talent, drive, and (lots of) help to see their mission through no matter what the cost. I respect it, even if it’s wrong and/or they fail. I also understood before this book that most “innovations” are just continuous, progressive steps and not epiphanies or leaps. Other concepts such as the Innovators Dilemma come up when reading business books.
The most fascinating / important parts of Myths of Innovation revolve around Scott’s desire to help others foster their creativity. He shows people ways to leverage their creative time, what types of roadblocks they can expect to see in the future and even how to pitch their eventual ideas. After all, the most difficult periods the inventor and idea have are from conception to the time right before it becomes accepted. Well worth the read. Good history lesson.
My Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2JAQZ6SJ4UAQB/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
Disclosure: I was given this eBook for free through the O'Reilly Blogger Review Program in exchange for a review. Regardless my review stands on it's own. If I thought this book was bad I would have rated it so.