The New York Times's Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter
"unpacks the myths and mysteries of the creative process" (Salon)
How does creativity work? Where does inspiration come from? What are the
secrets of our most revered creators? How can we maximize our creative
potential?
Creativity defines the human experience. It sparks achievement and
innovation in art, science, technology, business, sports, and virtually
every activity. It has fueled human progress on a global level, but it
equally is the source of profound personal satisfaction for individual
creators. And yet the origins of creative inspiration and the methods by
which great creators tap into it have long been a source of mystery,
spoken of in esoteric terms, our rational understanding shrouded in
complex jargon. Until now.
Inspired is a book about the science of creativity, distilling an
explosion of exciting new research from across the world. Through
narrative storytelling, Richtel marries these findings with timeless
insight from some of the world's great creators as he deconstructs the
authentic nature of creativity, its biological and evolutionary origins,
its deep connection to religion and spirituality, the way it bubbles in
each of us, urgent and essential, waiting to be tapped.
Many of the questions Richtel addresses are practical: What are the
traits of successful creators? Under which conditions does creativity
thrive? How can we move past creative blocks? The ultimate message of
Inspired is that creativity is more accessible than many might imagine,
as necessary, beautiful, and fulfilling as any essential part of human
nature.
Porchlight Business Book Award Winner (Innovation & Creativity)
