Software development happens in your head. Not in an editor, IDE, or design tool. You're well educated on how to work with software and hardware, b...
read full description
reviews
Apr 24, 2011
Jeanne
rated it: 
I borrowed a copy of “Pragmatic Thinking & Learning” by Andy Hunt and enjoyed the read. In addition to referencing ideas from Bert Bates and Linda Rising, there was a good mix of concepts and concrete techniques.
Favorite three concepts:
1) Dreyfus model – novice vs advanced beginner vs etc. And why it matters to us
2) Extended analogy between human brain and computer
3) Why certain models of learning work better than others
Favorite three suggested things More...
Favorite three concepts:
1) Dreyfus model – novice vs advanced beginner vs etc. And why it matters to us
2) Extended analogy between human brain and computer
3) Why certain models of learning work better than others
Favorite three suggested things More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 05, 2011
Jonathan
rated it:
Despite the nauseatingly gimmicky subtitle, I gave this book a chance because of how many rave reviews and references I've seen. There were a lot of tips, tricks, perspectives, anecdotes, metaphors, etc., about thinking and learning that were worth being exposed to. Certainly some I'd seen before, but a lot of new ones, too. The chapter on the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition (a sequence of five discrete levels beginning with Novice and ending with Expert that can be applied to someone's "
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Apr 23, 2009
Demian
rated it:
I just finished reading Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware. The book is geared towards anyone who wants to learn and think better. It has plenty of specific details for software engineers.
The book does a lot of build up to get you to understand what it means to be an expert, what are the levels of skill and how the brain works for better and worse.
The best part of the book is the last few chapters. He puts the theory aside and gets to the low level pra More...
The book does a lot of build up to get you to understand what it means to be an expert, what are the levels of skill and how the brain works for better and worse.
The best part of the book is the last few chapters. He puts the theory aside and gets to the low level pra More...
Nov 10, 2010
Jason
rated it:
I enjoy the pragmatic programming series very much, and found that this book was pretty good. I've read a lot of other self-help "how to think better" types of books (e.g. Mind Hacks), and think that this book is on par with most of the others that I've read.
The best parts of the book are the practical discussions at the end. The review of the Dreyfus model of expertise is interesting, but not really what I was looking to get out of the book. However, the more pragmatic More...
The best parts of the book are the practical discussions at the end. The review of the Dreyfus model of expertise is interesting, but not really what I was looking to get out of the book. However, the more pragmatic More...
Apr 30, 2010
Robert
rated it: 
The authors give the reader a great framework for thinking outside the box and learning outside the classroom. They discuss tools to help with retention like mind-maps and Mnemosyne, tools to help comprehension like mind-maps, tools to help with retrospect such as keeping a personal journal, and tools to help with archival and retrieval like a personal wiki.
This was a fantastic book and a great read. Although it talks some about programmers and their habits (after all the author is one More...
This was a fantastic book and a great read. Although it talks some about programmers and their habits (after all the author is one More...
Jan 27, 2009
Steve
rated it:
This is one of the better books I have read recently. It is as if the author "Andy Hunt" wrote this book to inspire me personally. This was the perfect book to read around new years. It helped me re-gain my focus and passion about being in technology.
I don't want to get in to too many specifics about the book, since you can read the outline of the book online elsewhere, but generally speaking, the book helped me create a plan for 09, and suggests ways to help effecti More...
I don't want to get in to too many specifics about the book, since you can read the outline of the book online elsewhere, but generally speaking, the book helped me create a plan for 09, and suggests ways to help effecti More...
Apr 22, 2009
Sean
rated it:
I haven't tuned up my reading and study habits much since college. And before that, my only formal training came from a sixth grade study skills class. This book provides a strong summary of neural science as it applies to what we currently [think we:] know about the human brain's ability to perceive and store information. The book then describes several helpful frameworks to gain a proper balance between systematic (L-Brain) & creative (R-Brain) activities to make learning and creating more fun
More...
Jan 06, 2009
Xixa
rated it:
This book presents a nice overview about how the mind works (Based mainly on the same Betty Edward's L-mode/R-mode approach) and suggests a good set of techniques for you to try to improve your learning skills, getting focused and stay in the "flow". Although some of the topics are indeed common knowledge and some of the techniques might not work on given kind of people, it's still worth a reading. As any other book by Pragmatic Bookshelf, this one was written by a programmer aiming th
More...
Jan 07, 2010
Kelley
rated it: 
I have a lot to say about Hunt's ideas in this book, unfortunately I'm not inclined to go into all the theory, chipping away at it. But I don't want to avoid the theoretical arguments in his book altogether, just for the sake of preserving what's useful about his practical tips for improving memory and creative thinking skills.
Hunt correctly observes what is wrong with the programming discipline, and also understands, I think, why programmers are not encouraged to be experts, let alo More...
Hunt correctly observes what is wrong with the programming discipline, and also understands, I think, why programmers are not encouraged to be experts, let alo More...
Feb 04, 2009
Robert
rated it:
This is a very interesting book on how to understand and rewire ones brain...
I came away with a number of valuable insights, largely around the Dreyfus Model of Skills (Shu Ha Ri from the martial arts world) but also extending into Right/Left brain, how to learn, & how to focus.
I saw immediate areas, largely work related, where my 'mental models' were incorrect and deficient and were preventing me from communicating with and motivating/influencing those I work with.
More...
I came away with a number of valuable insights, largely around the Dreyfus Model of Skills (Shu Ha Ri from the martial arts world) but also extending into Right/Left brain, how to learn, & how to focus.
I saw immediate areas, largely work related, where my 'mental models' were incorrect and deficient and were preventing me from communicating with and motivating/influencing those I work with.
More...
Nov 29, 2008
Garrett
rated it:
This is an awesome collection of information about the way our mind works and how to get the most from it. Much of the information was not new to me. It even mentioned many things that I do personally. The real value came from:
Having all this material collected into one location with a decent Bibliography to learn more.
A single text that I can share with others so that we are all on the same page so to speak.
I just wish I could keep my hands on my copy of the book for mor More...
Having all this material collected into one location with a decent Bibliography to learn more.
A single text that I can share with others so that we are all on the same page so to speak.
I just wish I could keep my hands on my copy of the book for mor More...
Nov 20, 2010
Ben
rated it:
I enjoyed this book and got a lot of value out of it. I thought it did a good job of distilling decades of research into easy-to-understand and salient ideas that can be put to use immediately. I really appreciated how the author heavily referenced his research material so that you can easily dive deeper into a particular subject if you want to. The part that made this book really great, for me, was all of the practical ideas that you can start right trying away. I've already begun doing som
More...
Feb 27, 2010
Rafael
rated it:
Recommended reading for those constantly seeking for improvements in their day-to-day life, career and profession. Hunt goes right and deep in theories and studies about how the brain operates and how differently our creativity and logistic are and why having both working together is ought to bring betterment to one's learning, focusing and making.
From the several concepts brought to the table we have the Dreyfus Model for talent acquisition, and the R-mode and L-mode studies that go More...
From the several concepts brought to the table we have the Dreyfus Model for talent acquisition, and the R-mode and L-mode studies that go More...
Jul 31, 2009
Rodhilton
rated it:
Andy Hunt's "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning" is a programming book only in the most liberal definition of the phrase. Sure, it's geared toward programmers, but the fact of the matter is that this book would be useful to anyone.
The book essentially covers two topics. The first topic is how your brain works. This is interesting, to be sure, but the book really shines when it comes to the second topic: how to use your brain, knowing how it works.
Andy talks abou More...
The book essentially covers two topics. The first topic is how your brain works. This is interesting, to be sure, but the book really shines when it comes to the second topic: how to use your brain, knowing how it works.
Andy talks abou More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jul 31, 2008
Nathan
rated it:
Andy Hunt's Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware (Pragmatic Press; 2008) teaches programmers how to master a subject, strategies for using your brain to its fullest, systems for learning, and the best ways to practice. The result is a grab-bag of pop-psych systems, practical strategies, and good old-fashioned inspiration that will give most programmers more footholds as they climb the tree of knowledge. I had expected the book to be about thinking more than learning (it's not)
More...
Jun 10, 2011
David
rated it:
This is probably one of the best books I've read on learning and memory. It covers a broad spectrum of topics from how to lear and how our brains function to how to read and remember things. Describing and compiling in one concise location topics I've learned and seen in a number of other books.
By far one of the best books I've read and I keep going back to it to increase my understanding of specific topics and to refresh my memory of certain techniques.
By far one of the best books I've read and I keep going back to it to increase my understanding of specific topics and to refresh my memory of certain techniques.
Jan 19, 2012
Mark
rated it: 
I've been disappointed in books but never before have I felt conned. This book is a motley grab bag of theories on thinking and learning. I never got any sense that the author performed the editorial duties of evaluating the field and choosing stronger ideas over weaker ones. To me the book's advice boiled down to "Try something! If that doesn't work, try something else!" which I could figure out on my own.
Oct 01, 2011
Jason
rated it:
An interesting read that briefly looks at 20 years of research and attempts to distill it into a set of tips and tricks to help make you think to your maximum potential. It does this without once feeling like a "self-help" book, or a mindless motivation manual.
Whilst some of the advice seems a bit like common sense (eg. Cut down on distractions) Andy provides some interesting justification why it matters, and how to apply the tips in a pragmatic way.
Other tips seem More...
Whilst some of the advice seems a bit like common sense (eg. Cut down on distractions) Andy provides some interesting justification why it matters, and how to apply the tips in a pragmatic way.
Other tips seem More...
Oct 02, 2010
Josh
rated it:
Very interesting book. Sort of a high-level summary of various learning techniques and the theoretical underpinnings. Informal and annoying in places, fascinating in others. I'm not sure I'd recommend this, but I am planning on re-reading it in a few months as I'd like to try some of the techniques.
Feb 06, 2012
Brandon
rated it:
Easily one of the best and most life-altering books I've yet read.
I put it in the category of book that isn't chock full of original material, but is rather a synthesis of ideas from research and other works, brought together in a well-written, entertaining, and insightful format.
This book will challenge the way you think and approach problems. Some of the pieces of advice were obvious, many were surprising, but all were grounded in some sort of scientific research. I've More...
I put it in the category of book that isn't chock full of original material, but is rather a synthesis of ideas from research and other works, brought together in a well-written, entertaining, and insightful format.
This book will challenge the way you think and approach problems. Some of the pieces of advice were obvious, many were surprising, but all were grounded in some sort of scientific research. I've More...
Feb 08, 2009
Ruth
rated it:
I'm an educator, not a programmer, but I found all kinds of practical techniques for thinking and learning in this book that I'm already applying with great success! You'll think about learning and productivity in a whole new way after reading this book.
Jan 23, 2010
Adam
rated it:
An interesting combination of cognitive psychology and professional self-help, written from a software developer's point of view; I had no idea my brain could be thought of has having a heterogeneous dual-CPU shared-bus architecture. Manages to stay relevant, practical and engaging throughout and fills a previously unoccupied niche in software literature.
Oct 11, 2009
Dale
rated it:
Andy Hunt, the second member of the Pragmatic Programmers, has written a book aimed at helping software developers learn faster and better. He takes us through a wide variety of techniques to increase the effectiveness of right-brain thinking (which he calls 'R-mode'), gain better focus, read more effectively, etc.
There is nothing really new here - you can find the material in other popular books. But Hunt presents the material in a way likely to make sense to software developers so More...
There is nothing really new here - you can find the material in other popular books. But Hunt presents the material in a way likely to make sense to software developers so More...
Aug 23, 2010
Valley Cottage
rated it:
An interesting approach to developing your "right brain," creative side. He uses computer programming as the setting for his examples, and it will mean more to someone familiar with that field.
Oct 25, 2011
Great book! Author makes an amazing point advising us not to fall for the genetically programmed dominance of mind , we can definitely re-program our thinking ! very inspiring .
Dec 21, 2010
Hacksaw
rated it:
This is a good book for anyone who is seeking to better tap into the right brain/artsy/intuitive side. These are ideas which will help improve engineering products a great deal.
Jan 15, 2009
So far I love this book and am slowly integrating some of the techniques into my daily routine. Some of the topics are familiar to me, but the techniques are not.
Jun 11, 2009
Nate
rated it:
I had never really looked into the difference between the left and right brains and how they work. This book has emphasized the importance of allowing your right brain to take over from time to time. Many breakthroughs and 'ah-hah' moments come from the creativity of the right brain. This is a more difficult for computer people like myself, who tend to be very linear.
Jan 17, 2009
Richard
rated it:
A great book that I will use some of the ideas to start reworking how I work. This book should not be limited to programmers but to to thinkers.
Aug 09, 2011
Melvin
rated it:
I enjoyed PT&L pretty much. It instilled me to start my personal wiki for collecting knowledge and provided me valuable productivity tips.
