Shortcut: How Analogies Reveal Connections, Spark Innovation, and Sell Our Greatest Ideas

(Paperback)

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From the meatpacking plants that inspired Henry Ford's first moving assembly line, to the domino theory that lead America into Vietnam, to the bicycle of the mind' that Steve Jobs envisioned as the Macintosh computer, analogies have played a dynamic role in shaping the world around us. In Shortcut, Pollack explores this territory with engaging stories, surprising examples and a practical method to evaluate the truth or effectiveness of any analogy. Shortcut will improve critical thinking, enhance creativity and offer a fresh approach to the nature of ideas.'

Reviews

Praise for Shortcut:

John Pollack is the William Safire of his generation. In Shortcut, he blends his encyclopedic knowledge, hard-earned experience in politics, and deep love of words to craft a book that consistently rewards the reader with keen insights into the wonders of how language shapes our thinking.
Jake Siewert, global head of communications for Goldman Sachs

As a historian, I have been professionally trained not to use analogies. But as John Pollack demonstrates in this eye-opening, mind-blowing, puzzle-solving book, comparisons and analogies infuse our thinking, infect our decisions, and inflect our efforts at persuasion. Once you lower your guard to Pollacks clever forays, you will never undervalue the power of analogical reasoning againor ignore the risks of using comparisons too sloppily.
Jack Rakove, professor of history and political science at Stanford University, winner of the Pulitzer Prize

In the battle for public opinion, the best analogy usually wins. Shortcutshows us howand why. It makes you think before you speak, literally. This is a great book, particularly for people who care about communicating effectively.
Loretta Ucelli, White House Communications Director for President Bill Clinton

Like a hot knife through warm butter, Pollacks clean prose cuts to the heart of the matter: We communicate, think, learn, and discover through analogies. Filled with captivating and entertaining examples, from falling apples to toppling dominos, the book teaches us how to best use analogies to win hearts, convince minds, and just have fun. Sure to float your boat.
Scott Page, director of the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan

Pollack takes us on a fascinating journey through the shortcuts of the mind, revealing the immense power of analogy as a psychological device affecting our lives in intricate ways.
Daniela Schiller, PhD, neuroscientist at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

Our minds work like supercomputers, processing impossibly vast amounts of information, creating patterns and parallels to make sense of all the data. Shortcut reveals how, through analogies (like the one in the previous sentence!), we understand our world, and, ultimately, ourselves. A fascinating read.
David Zweig, author of Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion

Pollack offers up an unparalleled feast of analogies, digging deep into his extensive experience as a writer to show why analogy is important, how its constructed, and what makes it effective. Shortcut is to analogies what The Joy of Cooking is to brisket.
Benjamin Bergen, director of the Language and Cognition Lab at the University of California at San Diego and author of Louder Than Words

Anyone who has ever tried to find the right analogy to win an argument, to settle a dispute, to persuade squabblers to compromiseor who wants to avoid making things worse by using the wrong analogyshould read this insightful book!
Suzanne R. Butler, PhD, JD, member of National Academy of Arbitrators

Praise for John Pollacks books:

He tells us, with a clarity unusual for the subject, how the mind works.
The New York Times

The best books on language are the ones that encourage us to reexamine what we think we know, and The Pun Also Rises . . . does exactly that.
The Boston Globe

Pollacks . . . quest seems not merely charming but heroic.
The New Yorker

Written in a style of singular grace and impact.
Washington Times




"John Pollack is the William Safire of his generation. In Shortcut, he blends his encyclopedic knowledge, hard earned experience in politics, and deep love of words to craft a book that consistently rewards the reader with keen insights into the wonders of how language shapes our thinking."
Jake Siewert, Global Head of Communications for Goldman Sachs

"As a historian, I have been professionally trained not to use analogies. But as John Pollack demonstrates in this eye-opening, mind-blowing, puzzle-solving book, comparisons and analogies infuse our thinking, infect our decisions, and inflect our efforts at persuasion. Once you lower your guard to Pollack's clever forays, you will never undervalue the power of analogical reasoning again--or ignore the risks of using comparisons too sloppily."
Jack Rakove, Professor of History and Political Science at Stanford University, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

"In the battle for public opinion, the best analogy usually wins. Shortcutshows us howand why. It makes you think before you speak, literally. This is a great book, particularly for people who care about communicating effectively."
Loretta Ucelli, White House Communications Director for President Bill Clinton

"Like a hot knife through warm butter, Pollack's clean prose cuts to the heart of the matter: we communicate, think, learn, and discover through analogies. Filled with captivating and entertaining examples, from falling apples to toppling dominos, the book teaches us how to best use analogies to win hearts, convince minds, and just have fun. Sure to float your boat."
Scott Page, Director of the Center for Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan

"Pollack takes us on a fascinating journey through the shortcuts of the mind, revealing the immense power of analogy as a psychological device affecting our lives in intricate ways."
Daniela Schiller, Ph.D., Neuroscientist at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

"Our minds work like supercomputers, processing impossibly vast amounts of information, creating patterns and parallels to make sense of all the data. Shortcut reveals how, through analogies (like the one in the previous sentence!), we understand our world, and, ultimately, ourselves. A fascinating read."
David Zweig, author of Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion

"Pollack offers up an unparalleled feast of analogies, digging deep into his extensive experience as a writer to show why analogy is important, how it's constructed, and what makes it effective. Shortcut is to analogies what The Joy of Cooking is to brisket."
Benjamin Bergen, Director of the Language and Cognition Lab at the University of California at San Diego and author of Louder than Words

"Anyone who has ever tried to find the right analogy to win an argument, to settle a dispute, to persuade squabblers to compromise or who wants to avoid making things worse by using the wrong analogy should read this insightful book!"
Suzanne R. Butler, Ph.D., J.D., member of National Academy of Arbitrators

Praise for Pollack's The Pun Also Rises

The best books on language are the ones that encourage us to reexamine what we think we know, and The Pun Also Risesdoes exactly that. Boston Globe

[Pollack] tells us, with a clarity unusual for the subject, how the mind works. New York Times

Brief but compelling. Los Angeles Times

A fun, cogent argument in favor of a dubious, often-damned art. Kirkus Reviews

Anyone with an interest in language is going to find this book fascinating. David Crystal, author of How Language Works

Punderful! Ben Schott, author of Schotts Original Misellany

Its fascinating and funny. Brave New Words

"Refreshingly witty, intelligent and informative. Rundpinne

Whether you are a practicing punster, interested in language, or just hungry to learn something on the beach this summer as you lie on the sand-which-is there Pollacks book is fun and informative. Detroit Free Press

an engrossing history of the pun. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

If youre at all interested in language, and how it has shaped humanity, read this book. You wont be disappointed. Reading Through Life

One of those simple pleasures of the book world: a thoroughly entertaining book thats also academic, so you can feel smart and learn new jokes at the same time. The Huntsville Item

An entertaining and illuminating exploration of how wordplay evolved to be much more than a cheap linguistic thrill or the product of bottom-feeder copywriters. Brain Pickings


Praise for Pollack's Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built:

As the boat bobs down the Douro River to the cheers of the crowd, Pollacks absurd quest seems not merely charming, but heroic." The New Yorker

A surprisingly charming memoir. Esquire

Fascinating and extraordinary. The San Francisco Chronicle

Written in a style of singular grace and impact. The Washington Times

This buoyant nonfiction adventure saga is bound to float any armchair adventurer right of the winter doldrums. Boston Herald

An adventure whose goofiness is exceeded only by its fun. Detroit Free Press




Praise for John Pollacks books:

"He tells us, with a clarity unusual for the subject, how the mind works."
The New York Times

"The best books on language are the ones that encourage us to reexamine what we think we know, and The Pun Also Rises . . . does exactly that."
The Boston Globe

"Pollacks . . . quest seems not merely charming but heroic."
The New Yorker
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Author Bio

John Pollack, who won the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships, was a presidential speechwriter for Bill Clinton. Earlier, he worked as a foreign correspondent in Spain, as a field assistant in Antarctica, and as a strolling violinist on Mackinac Island. His books include The Pun Also Rises- How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More Than Some Antics, Cork Boat- A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built, and The World on a String- How to Become a Freelance Foreign Correspondent. He lives in New York City.