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November 30, 2003
IN BRIEF
How to Mind Map: The Ultimate Thinking Tool That Will Change Your Life
ISBN 0-00-714684-1
103pp. Rs345
The Power of Verbal Intelligence: 10 Ways to Tap Into Your Verbal Genius
ISBN 0-7225-4049-3
230pp. Rs395
The Power of Social Intelligence: 10 Ways to Tap Into Your Social Genius
ISBN 0-7225-4048-5
148pp. Rs395
All three books by Tony Buzan
Thorsons. Available with Paramount Books, 152/O, Block 2, PECH Society, Karachi-75400 Tel: 021-4310030
Email:
paramount@cyber.net.pk
With self-help books taking up most shelf space in any bookstore, the popularity of such literature is on the increase. While many of these books are of the inspirational variety, which are good for the reader’s morale and peace of mind, others give practical advice on how to improve one’s skills. These three attractive little books by Tony Buzan fall in both categories. On the one hand they encourage the reader to draw on his own potential by making him feel good about himself. On the other hand, they actually teach him the methods to optimize his capabilities.
How to Mind Map contains tips on how to maximize one’s thinking and thus change one’s life. Buzan describes a mind map as a thinking tool. It is basically a plan of action which you draw up in your brain and then put down on paper. But unlike a grocery shopping list, the various items in a mind map branch out from the nucleus which is the central image. Thus all the information about the full range of human activities is laid out in an interrelated pattern with colours and designs used to make it effective. According to Buzan, a person who makes mind maps to plan his work can become more creative, save time, solve problems, remember better and clarify his thinking.
The two books on verbal intelligence and social intelligence contain guidelines to improve one’s vocabulary and social skills. The book on vocabulary is an interesting one which any student should find useful, given the quizzes it contains. And what suggestions does it give to improve your language, which Johnson terms the “dress of thought”? They are simple tips which many of us already know but need to be reminded of. Get into crosswords. Set vocabulary targets to learn new words. Listen and look for new words. Invest in a good dictionary and so on.
For social intelligence (which emerges as quite akin to emotional intelligence), you are advised to listen to people, read their body language, make connections, negotiate to win friends and influence people, cultivate little gestures and so on.
The books are compelling and it is not difficult to understand why Tony Buzan is billed as the author of bestsellers whose books have been published in a 100 countries. He fills the yearning most people have to make it to the top in this highly competitive world of ours. Of course everyone will not emerge as the # one. But if Buzan can inspire one to strive for improving oneself, is there any harm? — Z.M.
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