Think to Win: The Power of Logic in Everyday Life

By S. Cannavo

Book Overview

The ability to think clearly and the power to reason well set leaders apart from the crowd. All of us have these abilities, but some may not be able to use their capabilities to full advantage at home, at work, at school, or in group situations.Think to Win is a clear and inviting guide through the amazing world of logical thinking and reasoning. Designed for all readers, this book explores crucial aspects of effective reasoning - that uniquely human characteristic that catapulted our species from the use of smoke signals to the computer, and from humble cave dwellings to space exploration.Inspired by a student who once pleaded for a layperson's guide to "thinking well," S. Cannavo walks the reader through the various modes of thinking, understanding, and reasoning, making logical thought engaging through real-life examples. He offers essential tips on how anyone can be empowered through continual self-monitoring and self-improvement.Want to feel better about yourself and your abilities? Do you want to explain yourself better, present a more convincing case, and ultimately be more successful? Think to Win will help you cultivate your rational intelligence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573922110
• ISBN13: 9781573922111
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Very practical

Practical is the word for this introduction to Logic and critical thinking. I just started reading this book although I purchased it nearly a year ago. I don't know why I waited so long to pick this book up. But, it's worth the read even if you understand logic. I,m using it as a precursor to the technical studies of logic. I've purchased 'Introduction to Logic' by Copi and plan to read it when I'm finished with this book. i started reading "Intro to Logic" by Copi just recently, but thought an intro to it was in order. This book will suffice. I recommend "Think to Win" and I agree with the other reviews of this book. The knowledge in this book is practical and not what the technical books will contain.

A critical thinking book disguised as self-help

Not that there's anything wrong with disguising the contents of the book (at least in most cases). Suited for people with little background in Logic and critical thinking, this book is a treasure trove of effective advice and mind-sharpening tips for evaluating claims and arguments in real life situations.The introduction to logical syllogisms and fallacies is engaging and fun, as opposed to the dry and boring textbooks on logic. The reader is never put down for believing in questionable ideas, but rather gvien the drive to examine his/her beliefs and seeing if it passes the acid test of logic. Truly a good book to own.

A good place to begin your quest for truth

Lesser sense reasoning is that reasoning used to boost one's own argument and support one's own beliefs. Greater sense reasoning is that reasoning used to discover truth. Although the title of this book suggests that it is concerned with lesser sense arguments, it's actual mission is to help people think better and, therefore, this is a greater sense logic book. Probably some PR or marketing person mispersuaded the author to title his book "Think to Win" in the hope that that title might increase sales. This book is a modest contribution toward a kind of "logical literacy" so much needed these days in the United States. As such, it can serve as a guide for people to use in practical everyday situations to evaluate what they are being told by politiciians and TV commentators as well as by their friends and neighbors. The book has no rules, few formulas, no diagrams, and no exercises. It would serve as a good, easy to read, light, orienting introduction to the elements of clear thinking. If you are not sure what is meant by begging the question, partial selection of the evidence, or false analogy, then this book is a good place to start to correct your deficiencies and begin your quest for truth.

Thinking is the key to winning

I just finished this wow of a book,THINK TO WIN; THE POWER OF LOGIC IN EVERYDAY LIFE by S. Cannavo, and I really want to share my enthusiasm. The author lays down the basics of reasoning in a friendly and wildly fun manner. He shows not only how to avoid pitfalls in your own reasoning but also how to spot the bad reasoning of others who often use it to get you to agree with their point of view. I am so excited about THINK TO WIN that I am planning to give it to friends and family as a holiday gift. With all the doublespeak of these days, a person needs the logical savvy in this book to separate the substance from the nonsense - not to mention getting behind it all to the hidden assumptions and agendas. THINK TO WIN really opens up the mind and helps unravel all those knotty issues that every politico seems to put a different spin on. Best of all, this book gave me the slant on how to get past the messy logic of friends, associates, and even husband. Frankly, reading THINK TO WIN made me feel more self-confident and therefore happier about myself, more in touch with my thoughts, and as a total result, even sexier. After all, who was it that said, "The biggest sex organ is between one's ears"? Yours truly Dana Matheis

An enjoyable and easy-to-read guide to logical thinking.

"Think to Win" is an entertaining guide to the world of logical thought. What amazed me about this book is that, in addition to providing interesting and useful information, it was a lot of fun to read. The text is full of instructive and often very funny examples of illogical thinking. These include personal anecdotes, as well as examples from the media, history, science, and even Shakespeare. The author's breadth of knowledge, and his ability to explain the principles of logic to a lay audience make this book well worth reading.