How Great Ideas Happen turns our usual thinking about creativity on its head. Newman shows us how creativity isn't some mysterious force reserved for a lucky few, but a skill we can all develop. If you've ever felt like creativity was sometimes out of reach, this is the guide you've been waiting for. -- Laurie Santos, host of The Happiness Lab podcast and the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology at Yale University How Great Ideas Happen is a revelation. George Newman has written a brilliant and illuminating exploration of creativity and innovation. This book is wise, funny, and delightfully counterintuitive. It's also a genuine pleasure to read. It has changed the way I think about coming up with new ideas, and it is a book I will return to again and again.

-- Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto and Yale University, and author of Against Empathy and Psych: The Story of the Human Mind "An inspiring reminder that creativity is a capacity we can all cultivate. Drawing on rigorous research and vivid examples, Newman offers an evidence-based roadmap for sparking breakthroughs. This fantastic book is sure to help every one of its readers." --Katy Milkman, author of How to Change , host of the podcast Choiceology, and the James G. Dinan Professor at the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania "I've read many books on creativity, but How Great Ideas Happen truly stands out. It gives you the freedom to explore without limits, while offering just enough structure to turn that exploration into something meaningful. Thoughtful, clear, and practical, its frameworks are both inspiring and useful." -- Jonathan Goodman, author of Unhinged Habits and The Obvious Choice "This is a magnificent book.

It is beautifully written, full of fascinating studies and compelling stories, all masterfully woven together. And full of terrific exercises! I'll return to it multiple times to take advantage of all that it offers." -- Frank Keil, author of The Disappearance of Insight and Wonder , and the Charles C. and Dorathea S. Dilley Professor of Psychology and Linguistics at Yale University. "Anyone who says, "I've always wanted to write a book, compose a song, design a garden," or whatever it may be, should be handed this book." --Patricia Romanowski, editor of The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll "A refreshing exploration of creativity that's expansive in cultural scope and packed with concrete exercises. Clever phrases and concepts such as 'Burn the cabin down' and 'The wisdom of grumpy Yoda' will stay with you and help you produce original work.

" -- Kirkus Reviews.