Edward B. Burger - The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking

Early praise for The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking

The 5 Elements is an enormously insightful examination of what constitutes effective thinking. Everyone will find something of value in it.

Morton O. Schapiro, president of Northwestern University

I highly recommend this book for instructors who care more about their students than test scores, for students who care more about learning than their GPA, for leaders of society and masters of the universe who care more about serving the public good than increasing their profit margin, and for artists who constantly remind us of the human condition. The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking provides comfort in a world that has lost its equilibrium.

Christopher J. Campisano, director of Princeton Universitys Program in Teacher Preparation

Edward Burger and Michael Starbird became renowned scholars and educators by demonstrating that mathematical expertise is within the reach of the general population and not confined to those with the right aptitude. With the publication of this remarkably wise and useful book, they extend their pedagogical principles to the general realm of practical affairs and the entire range of academic endeavor. Regardless of the readers background, The 5 Elements offers highly applicable and original lessons on how to think.

John W. Chandler, president emeritus of Hamilton College and Williams College

So this is how Newton stood on the shoulders of giants! Burger and Starbird outline the basic methods of geniusso that ordinary people, too, can see further than others.

Robert W. Kustra, president of Boise State University

I spectacularly love this book. It made the greatest impact on me a book possibly could because I hold these ideas in such high regard and they landed in my hands at the perfect time. My overarching response to The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking is pure delight, great appreciation, and confidence in myself and in what lies ahead.

Kyle C., undergraduate mathematics major

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, made clear some biases I have toward myself, and helped me to see the world in a new way.

Elle V., undergraduate biology major

There are a lot of great things about this book. It is filled with many wonderful quotes, witty humor, fun exercises, historical and personal examples, and stuff that really gets you thinking. I also found myself quietly laughing out loud in the library several times. I have already recommended this book to people who want to take a different approach to thinking. I was very fortunate, and sometimes I think, destined, to receive this book on the first day of college.

Luis H., undergraduate history major

While reading The 5 Elements, I learned more about how I should think, study, and understand than during any other experience in my life. Every chapter resonated so well with me that I am already changing the way I go through my classes, homework, and life.

Nirav S., undergraduate mechanical engineering major

This book is captivating because it changes the average thoughts of learning by teaching new ones and highlighting them through examples of current students and historic geniuses. The book shows that geniuses are average people with different ways of thinking and learning. I found this new insight inspiring.

Lauren L., undergraduate psychology major

When I picked up this book to read for a class, I was dreading it. After the first few pages, I couldnt put it down. Ive always had an idea of what Ive needed to do in order to become a better student, but this material was laid out in a way that was not only inspirational, but fun to read. The basics of learning, understanding, and creating are all within this text.

Scott G., undergraduate civil engineering major

Copyright 2012 by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird

Requests for permission to reproduce material from this work should be sent to Permissions, Princeton University Press

Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 6 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1TW

press.princeton.edu

Excerpt from The Death of the Hired Man, from the book The Poetry of Robert Frost edited by Edward Connery Lathem.

Copyright 1930, 1939, 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, copyright 1958 by Robert Frost, copyright 1967 by Lesley Frost Ballantine. Reprinted by permission of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Excerpt from The Road Not Taken, from the book The Poetry of Robert Frost edited by Edward Connery Lathem.

Copyright 1916, 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, copyright 1944 by Robert Frost. Reprinted by permission of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Burger, Edward B., 1963

The 5 elements of effective thinking / Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-691-15666-8 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Thought and thinking. I. Starbird, Michael P. II. Title. III. Title: Five elements of effective thinking.

BF441.B9247 2012

153.4'2dc23

2012014372

British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available