Book Review: Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun

 Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun is a catalog of, well, myths about how people come up with innovative ideas or products.  Each chapter covers a different myth, like the "myth of ephinany" (that innovative ideas come like lightning bolts out of the blue) or the myth of the "lone inventor."  Berkun busts these myths and in the process explains what really does drive innovation.

I liked that the book is written in a witty, conversational style (and having gotten the book free through O'Reilly's Blogger review program I wanted to give a good review). But unfortunately I found it to be poorly argued. For example, Berkun writes, "And while we laugh at groups who reject innovation as a concept—the Luddites, the Amish, or our technophobic friends—we are all just as resistant as they are, but in different ways." Realy? I read this book on an iPhone, iPad and Sony Reader and I'm just as resistant to innovation as the Amish? I'm sorry Mr. Berkun, but you need to back that up with something. Unfortunately, the book is filled with tossed off conclusions that are not supported by data or argument. It took me a long time to finish this book because it kept driving me crazy.

Find the book here: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781449389628/

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781449389628/