Life in the Pinball Machine: Careening from There to Here [Paperback]

Robert F. Mager (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

In Life in the Pinball Machine, one of the most influential people in training and performance improvement shares the experiences that shaped his ideas about human performance and behavior. With his characteristic humor and unique perspective, Robert F. Mager shares his revelations about how people work, how people learn, and the world in general.

Follow along as Mager reveals the experiences that led to the CRI methodology, more than ten books, and a mind-boggling and unusual array of talents and hobbies. Whether becoming a ventriloquist, riding a unicycle, or playing the banjo, Mager embraces the experience and challenges of learning and wakes up the student in us all. Life in the Pinball Machine is the story behind the story of the books, workshops, and ideas. It is the humorous and surprising account of a life spent learning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A heart-warming and useful bridge between professional and personal lives. It'll be a useful gift to my family AND clients. -- Marlys Thompson, Trainer, Coach & Speaker

About the Author

Dr. Robert F. Mager is the most widely-read author in training and education. Using his exuberant style and innovative thinking, Mager has created the most accessible, enjoyable performance improvement products available. He was co-developer of the acclaimed Criterion-Referenced Instruction (CRI) methodology, which thousands of education and HR professionals all over the world have learned to implement through his train-the-trainer programs. His books have been translated into seventeen languages and have sold more than four million copies worldwide, and are fundamental texts in many instructional design curriculums today.

Mager is also an accomplished unicyclist, banjo player, ventriloquist, crime novelist, and tap dancer. He lives in Carefree, Arizona, where he is currently hard at work on his next novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: C E P Pr (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970952724
• ISBN-13: 978-0970952721
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,343,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The best explanation of our field from one of the Master's, July 6, 2003

By 

roger kaufman (Tallahassee, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life in the Pinball Machine: Careening from There to Here (Paperback)

For years I have looked for a credible book that traced the lineage of human and organizational performance improvement. All others had biases and lapses. This book written by one of the Masters who helped define and develop this field has written the best account of our lineage I have ever seen. It is beautifully written--clear, concise, accurate, and human--and meets (no, exceeds) my expectations.

It is a must for any student (senior or starting) in our field.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, May 8, 2003

By 

A. Robert Taylor (Waynesville, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life in the Pinball Machine: Careening from There to Here (Paperback)

Although I selected Dr. Mager from all of the experts in the early 1960's to work with a major management consulting firm to introduce programmed instruction into European countries, and have stayed in touch since then, I learned more about him and his genius as I turned each page of this book. It is essential reading for everyone in the fields of education, training and management.