THE 5-DAY COURSE IN THINKING (PELICAN)

Edward de Bono single-handedly has introduced to the public the notion that being aware of "how we think," can be an important determinant of "how well we think." This book is "proof of the pudding:" In a series of three carefully gradually 5-Day exercises -- "The Bottles problem:" to improve insight; "The Blocks problem:" To increase Sequential thinking; and "The L-Game:" to improve strategic thinking -- de Bono shows the reader how increasing confidence in how we approach difficult "thinking problems" can improve how well we do at solving them. Each of the problems begins with an already modestly difficult problem and then ascends to a very difficult problem. The "end problem" is one in which, under normal circumstances the reader never would have tried to approach, without de Bono's assistance. As but one example the "The bottles problem" is one in which the reader is required to begin on the first day to balance four knives atop four bottles, then each day he is required to remove one bottle so that by the last day the requirement is to balance the same four knives atop a single bottle. I used this course as a "warm-up" ( and as bonus points on exams) for students from non-scientific areas, entering advanced mathematics for the first time. It proved invaluable in reducing the fear of mathematics. Five stars.