A Whack on the Side of the Head

For more than a quarter century, one book has been a consistent leader in stimulating creativity and innovation: A Whack on the Side of the Head.


Now Roger von Oech's classic work is back and better than ever in this special 25th anniversary edition. It offers more stories, examples, and exercises to bring its famous innovation boosters to a modern generation. Learn how to:

  • Overcome the ten biggest mental locks and unleash the full potential of your mind

  • Use the four roles of the creative process —Explorer, Artist, Judge, and Warrior — to generate and apply new ideas

  • Exploit the power of discontinuity, constraints and "playing the fool" to find the "second right answer" . . . and much, much more.


"Roger von Oech has won a loyal following around the country." 

  —BusinessWeek


"What a technique!" 

  —ABC's 20/20


"This may beat consulting the I Ching."

  —Fortune


Roger von Oech's seminars and products have enhanced the creativity of many millions around the world. his clients have ranged from IBM, Apple, and Disney to Coca-Cola, NASA, and Sony. He's the author of four books on creativity, and the popular Creative Whack Pack card deck (which is also available as an App). He's also the inventor of the Ball of Whacks and the X-Ball. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford in the "History of Ideas." He lives with his wife, Wendy, near Palo Alto, California.