Originals

December 14, 2015
Wharton professor Grant (Give and Take) considers himself a huge fan of innovation—yet, as he confides in this solid business guide, he passed up the opportunity to invest in eyeglass brand Warby Parker in its infancy, the “worst decision” he ever made. He goes on to propose that the trouble with how innovation is currently viewed in contemporary society is that both consumers and investors undervalue anything that is less of a game-changer than the new iPhone. In fact, inventors don’t need to be cliff diving risk takers, and originality is far more common than is generally thought. Emphasizing the human tendency to take the default action, the book shows that it takes real verve to overcome that inertia and seek out the better option. Grant’s topics include the need for patience while publicizing an idea, the disadvantage of being the first in with a new idea, and the importance of creating and supporting fans and evangelists. He also discusses nurturing originality in young people and avoiding the pitfalls of close-knit corporate cultures. His approach is mainly descriptive, but does include some concrete steps for would-be innovators to develop their ideas, and for business leaders to support them. With a foreword by Sheryl Sandberg, Grant’s second book should attract as much attention as his bestselling first. Agent: Richard Pine, InkWell Management Literary.

December 1, 2015
A blend of old and new--and sometimes original--informs this pop-science piece on creativity and its discontents. Grant (Wharton Business School; Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, 2013) has a flair for the novel and the outwardly puzzling, though the writing is merely capable and the book likely to have "negligible impact" against leviathans such as Daniel Kahneman and Malcolm Gladwell. Unkind words, but Grant sets them up, observing that negative book reviews sound 14 percent smarter than positive ones, so we're being self-serving in our negativity. Self-service is to the point, since, by Grant's account, institutions that are friendly to innovation are also generous of spirit, creating "strong cultures of commitment" and building an atmosphere of love and collegiality, even familiarity. Along the way to discussing how creativity flourishes--and it does indeed hinge on nonconformity, as the subtitle promises, which is by way of saying that it requires risk--Grant lands on such things as how parents encourage children just the right amount: a parent who successfully encourages a child to be independent, an explorer of the world, has to step back and allow that child to find greater models than himself or herself. As Grant puts it, provocatively, "Parents aren't the best role models." Interestingly, the author turns back to the old birth-order hypothesis, in which firstborns and later-borns have different approaches to risk and thus different creative abilities; he finds it to have validity, "a better predictor of personality and behavior than I had expected." Grant sometimes gets tangled in jargon, but he turns up some fascinating tidbits, including the observation that "our intuitions are only accurate in domains where we have a lot of experience"--an insight worth the cover price alone. A mixed bag but of interest to readers looking to jump-start their creative powers and raise quick-witted children.

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December 15, 2015
In this thought-provoking attempt to redefine the concept of originality, the author of Give and Take (2013) challenges the assumption that people who strive for originality are necessarily risk-takers. He asks us to consider, for example, Scott Adams and Brian May, each of whom kept on with their ordinary jobsAdams at Pacific Bell while he was drawing Dilbert, and May playing lead guitar for Queen while studying astrophysicsuntil they were comfortable turning their attention full-time to their dream pursuits. Oh, and Henry Ford? He kept working for Thomas Edison even while he was revolutionizing the automobile industry. Originality, the author argues, isn't risk-taking; it's finding a new idea and developing it, often while minimizing personal risk. To be original, we must question defaults (which appears to be the author's way of saying, Think outside the box), develop a new idea slowly and carefully, and hold off on taking the big, no-turning-back leap until we are confident of success. The message here should comfort the timid nonconformist in us all: you can be original, but you don't have to be reckless about it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2016

Originals are people with creative ideas that defy the traditional, but when their visions are made reality the world is improved. Grant (Class of 1965 Wharton Professor of Management, Wharton Sch., Univ. of Pennsylvania; Give and Take) thoroughly outlines his goals for the book, including at the beginning of each chapter a statement of purpose so readers have clear expectations. The author cites research and studies in a wide variety of fields to emphasize points and presents information in an entertaining and readable manner. According to Grant, the factors that lead to success include volume of work, birth order, coalition formation, fighting Groupthink, and the difference in strategy between a young genius and an old master. Even procrastination plays a role, as being a "first mover" can have definite disadvantages. While originals may have a battle to make the world a better place, Grant includes many examples, ideas, and encouragements for those who wish to try. He concludes the book with 30 practical actions to unleash originality. VERDICT No matter whether the reader is an original or a wannabe, this book is enjoyable and full of useful information. [See Prepub Alert, 8/24/15.]--Bonnie A. Tollefson, Rogue Valley Manor Lib., Medford, OR

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015

Wharton's top-rated teacher and among Fortune's Top 40 Business Professors Under 40, Grant goes against the grain by arguing that success is most easily achieved by going against the grain--that is, by fighting for new ideas and norms. Since his Give and Take was a New York Times best seller and an Amazon, Apple, Financial Times, and Wall Street Journal best book, expect readership.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.