Where does ingenuity come from? In what ways has it changed the world? How can we foster it in ourselves, to bring good to our own lives?

Framed around the different routes to achieving ingenuity - from challenging assumptions and testing the rules to seeking what's in plain sight and sheer perseverance - this is a book about ingenuity in all its wondrous, diverse forms. It's crammed with astonishing ideas, infectious enthusiasm and a scientist's keen desire to get to the bottom of a subject, showcasing some of the world's most resourceful, innovative and inspiring feats of human ingenuity.

From brilliant inventions and breakthroughs in engineering to cunning strategies used in sports, from spycraft and wartime deception tricks to stunningly creative ideas in the everyday: Ingenious helps us train our minds to become more creative and ingenious in our personal and professional lives - and reveals that the best ideas are not necessarily the result of the endless march of technological progress.