Usually when I write about a book that I have read I am writing from a perspective of having enjoyed reading it or, at least, having found it useful. Sadly, this time this isn’t the case. I came across the book “Problem Solving 101” by Ken Watanabe via Dan Roam’s Digital Roam website and because I had enjoyed Roam’s own book “The Back of a Napkin” I thought I would trust his recommendation… PS101 is a book about problem solving but it is written for children (this could be the root of my problem with it…). However, it is described as an adult bestseller “thanks to the powerful effectiveness” of the techniques it describes. I should have been more suspicious of that “adult bestseller” bit. PS101 is just too simplistic, rather silly and, in truth, doesn’t really provide anything that could be described as a powerful technique. As I read the book I was left with no feeling that there was any evidence to suggest that the stories being told had to turn out the way that they did because of the powerful problem solving techniques and that they could just as easily ended up with the child or children involved failing miserably to solve their problem(s). So for me this book was a dud although there is one thing good about it – it’s one of those small, perfectly formed hardback books with nice paper that just feels and looks good – it’s just a shame about what is inside.
Tim O'Hare 