I stumbled on "The Five Day Course in Thinking" (https://www.amazon.com/5-Day-Course-Thinking-Edward-Bono/dp/...) when I was a UCLA undergrad in the late 1960s. The subsequent days were among the most exciting of my life up to then, as I pushed myself as hard as I've ever done to solve each day's problem.
Amazon review:
"This book actually contains three 5-day courses, each dealing with a different style of thinking. The focus of the book is directed less towards the solving of the problems, than at helping you understand your approach, and through this awareness, improve your thinking abilities.
"Each course sets a practical hands-on problem that requires no specialist knowledge or maths. Throughout the five days it builds what begins as a tricky challenge into one more difficult than you would have imagined being able to solve. En route, De Bono offers insights into the problem solving process and pointers to areas you might explore to illuminate your own thought processes.
"The three courses look at insight, sequential, and strategic thinking. De Bono succeeds in creating an entertaining learning environment. Readers will enjoy the challenges set and will gain valuable insights from their thinking about their thinking.
"Sample Problem
As a taster, this is the first puzzle of the book.
"Place three bottles upright on the floor to form a triangle where the distance between the bases of the bottles is slightly larger than the length of a knife. Use three identical knives to form a platform on top of the bottles to support a full glass of water. No part of any knife may touch the floor."
Amazon review:
"This book actually contains three 5-day courses, each dealing with a different style of thinking. The focus of the book is directed less towards the solving of the problems, than at helping you understand your approach, and through this awareness, improve your thinking abilities.
"Each course sets a practical hands-on problem that requires no specialist knowledge or maths. Throughout the five days it builds what begins as a tricky challenge into one more difficult than you would have imagined being able to solve. En route, De Bono offers insights into the problem solving process and pointers to areas you might explore to illuminate your own thought processes.
"The three courses look at insight, sequential, and strategic thinking. De Bono succeeds in creating an entertaining learning environment. Readers will enjoy the challenges set and will gain valuable insights from their thinking about their thinking.
"Sample Problem As a taster, this is the first puzzle of the book.
"Place three bottles upright on the floor to form a triangle where the distance between the bases of the bottles is slightly larger than the length of a knife. Use three identical knives to form a platform on top of the bottles to support a full glass of water. No part of any knife may touch the floor."
Great stuff. R.I.P.