easy-going prose…what [Dobelli] does is pinpoint exactly the assumptions, bias and illusions that shape our thinking and decision-making processes in both business and personal relationships that can cost us dearly as individuals and as a society.” (Financial Times) Hasard Lee leads readers through an enlightening assessment of decision-making where a number of situations are evaluated first before moving in on the subject of power law. He carefully untangles the finer points between exponential growth and linear thought drawing on example scenarios – i.e. saving one hour traveling at 40 mph but two hours traveling at 65 mph.

This book is no less practical now than when it was published in 1951. I was curious about the book because I’d been taught to read (better) with his book Teaching Johnny to Read, which was essentially a primer with long lists of words that were to be read aloud, using phonics to decipher new words. This book was a follow-up to his popular Why Johnny Can’t Read, which was a sensation in the mid-50s for its expose of the poor pedagogy that was being practiced in public schools, namely teaching children to sight read, to recognize words as whole entities, rather than as aggregates of syllables and letters. This book is a 7 out of 10 (⭑⭑⭑⭑) for me. It's a good read, despite minor weaknesses (like that it is a little dated by now) I would generally recommend this book to most people. For 2021 I set myself the theme "a year of ratio & will"; so I am reading mostly on the topics of critical thinking, rationality, discipline, and willpower. Quite late I stumbled upon Flesch's "The Art of Clear Thinking" via the reference section of another book; a no-brainer to be added to my reading list for the year. As a former fighter pilot with two tours in Vietnam, I loved this book. For over a hundred years aerial combatants have shared their death defying stories. The examples Hasard shares, though, are more than simply exciting flying stories. When he describes rolling in with his gun and raining down 100 rounds per second on the bad guys to save U.S. lives, it’s not simply for braggadocio. It helps readers learn about resourcefulness and planning when lives are on the line. And it also helps the executive to deal with adversity in a fluid situation where millions of dollars are at stake in the C-Suite. This book is replete with examples from aviation and industry that will help you to make better decisions. I relished reading this book and wholeheartedly recommend it without reservation." —George Nolly, 315 combat missions over Vietnam, 24 Air Medals and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, last pilot to complete 100 missions over North Vietnam, AuthorI had mediocre expectations of this book, but was easily drawn to it because of my interest in flying and military aircraft (especially fighters). I am, however, happy to say this book exceeded my expectations in several ways. It's just how we're wired. But it doesn't have to stay that way. This book gives you the tools to clear the fog from your eyes and simply think smarter. As someone who wasn’t much of an active reader, this book 100% changed my view on reading. Hasard Lee, a U.S. Air Force Fighter Pilot, discusses multiple methods and concepts for improving one’s critical thinking skills. We know that these are legit tips since he was hand-selected by the Air Force to fly the F-35, the most advanced weapon systems in the world. And what better way to convey his advice, than through past experiences and significant flights in aviation history.

Being critical goes beyond describing what you have heard in lectures or what you have read. It involves synthesising, analysing and evaluating what you have learned to develop your own argument or position. As a fighter pilot, one of the things you get used to is always being seconds away from a fiery death. You’re balancing on a razor’s edge of performance, where the success of each flight hinges on the accumulation of thousands of correct decisions. It only takes one wrong move for a flight to end in catastrophe, which, unfortunately, has happened often throughout our history. nature will never mind whether your decision is perfect or not, as long as we can maneuver what the life has given. but, identify the error thinking, i think, is a must, for at least showing us now in the right place, at least for now. You should also consider the language you will use to introduce a range of viewpoints and to evaluate the various sources of evidence. This will help your reader to follow your argument. To get you started, the University of Manchester's Academic Phrasebank has a useful section on Being Critical.Strap in and hold on as Hasard Lee lights the afterburner on leadership and risk management under extreme pressure. The Art of Clear Thinking is a riveting read, full of instantly actionable advice—not just for high-stakes decisions, but also for handling everyday choices at work and home." —Scott Parazynski, 5x NASA shuttle Astronaut, Astronaut Hall of Fame, credited with saving the Space Station during STS-120, Physician, Inventor, Tech CEO, Author