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How Great Ideas Happen
- Author
- George Newman
- Narrator
- George Newman
- Publisher
- John Murray Press
- Publish Date
- 29 January 2026
- Run Time
- 4 hours 52 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
We're used to imagining creativity as a lightbulb moment - sudden, mysterious, reserved for the gifted few. But what if ideas aren't conjured from thin air? What if they're discovered - more like precious artifacts that we unearth and refine?
In How Great Ideas Happen, cognitive scientist George Newman draws on cutting-edge research to show that creativity isn't magic, it's method. The most successful innovators don't wait to be struck by brilliance; their creative process is more like archeology. As keen-eyed explorers, they scan the terrain, dig with intention, and, with a little luck, find gold.
With vivid examples from the arts, science, and business, Newman shows how creativity often comes from discovering what was already there. For example, how Jackson Pollock tapped into deep patterns in nature to create his famous "drip" paintings; how Korean filmmakers created an entirely new genre by closely studying foreign films; or, how Paul Simon made Graceland by carefully sifting through previously recorded material for what he could take away.
By revealing the hidden steps behind breakthrough success, How Great Ideas Happen uncovers a repeatable method that anyone can follow, reframing creativity not as a rare gift, but as a universal capacity waiting to be unlocked through exploration. The creative process is an adventure of ideas - this book is your guide.
Critics Review
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'How Great Ideas Happen turns our usual thinking about creativity on its head... 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
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'A revelation... wise, funny, and delightfully counterintuitive. It has changed the way I think about coming up with new ideas.'
Paul Bloom, author, Against Empathy and Psych
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'An inspiring reminder that creativity is a capacity we can all cultivate.'
Katy Milkman, author, How to Change and host of Choiceology podcast
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'I've read many books on creativity, but How Great Ideas Happen truly stands out... Thoughtful, clear, and practical, its frameworks are both inspiring and useful.'
Jonathan Goodman, author, Unhinged Habits and The Obvious Choice
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'Beautifully written, full of fascinating studies and compelling stories, all masterfully woven together.'
Frank Keil, author, The Disappearance of Insight and Wonder
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'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, The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- George Newman
- Narrator
- George Newman
- Duration
- 4 hours 52 minutes
- Release Date
- 29 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9781399834575
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- John Murray Press
- Genre
- Business innovation, Entrepreneurship / Start-ups, Management decision making, Advice on careers and achieving success, Small businesses and self-employment
Synopsis
Great ideas are all around us, waiting to be discovered. Here's how to find them.We're used to imagining creativity as a lightbulb moment - sudden, mysterious, reserved for the gifted few. But what if ideas aren't conjured from thin air? What if they're discovered - more like precious artifacts that we unearth and refine?In How Great Ideas Happen, cognitive scientist George Newman draws on cutting-edge research to show that creativity isn't magic, it's method. The most successful innovators don't wait to be struck by brilliance; their creative process is more like archeology. As keen-eyed explorers, they scan the terrain, dig with intention, and, with a little luck, find gold.With vivid examples from the arts, science, and business, Newman shows how creativity often comes from discovering what was already there. For example, how Jackson Pollock tapped into deep patterns in nature to create his famous "drip" paintings; how Korean filmmakers created an entirely new genre by closely studying foreign films; or, how Paul Simon made Graceland by carefully sifting through previously recorded material for what he could take away.By revealing the hidden steps behind breakthrough success, How Great Ideas Happen uncovers a repeatable method that anyone can follow, reframing creativity not as a rare gift, but as a universal capacity waiting to be unlocked through exploration. The creative process is an adventure of ideas - this book is your guide.
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