Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese, 103 pages
John Cleese is as advertised: actor, writer, and tall person. And he's got a few nuggets of wisdom to impart about creativity and the monumental importance it has in people's lives. From Guy Claxton's Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind to Buddhism's "Beginner Mind," Cleese draws on many sources to illustrate his points, but always makes sure to ground the information lest it become too esoteric.
This was a delightful read! Cleese manages to fold up complex concepts into neat little paper airplanes and sail them neatly in the reader's brain. While the message of the book is pretty simple--creativity is a necessary part of our lives and anyone can be creative (not just a member of a comedy troupe that single-handedly redefined comedy)--the easy, conversational way that Cleese presents his knowledge and experience is a paradigm shift. For a worker bee who has spent a lifetime in soul-crushing retail, Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide is certainly a welcome escort.
