Quicksilver: Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities and a Guide to Effective Leadership [Paperback]

Karl Rohnke (Author), Steve Butler (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kendall Hunt Pub Co (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787221031
• ISBN-13: 978-0787221034
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1960, with subsequent academic time spent at Cal State Long Beach and Humboldt State. Bolstered by a degree in biology and graduate work in education, I impulsively signed on as a ordinary seaman/wiper in the Merchant Marine (banana boat out of Baltimore), followed by an illogical segue as an oil field roustabout(ARCO, Long Beach, CA), culminating with two interesting years as a drafted medical tech in the U.S. Army. Upon discharge I took advantage of my biology, medical and education background by accepting a position as an outdoor education teacher in Southern Cal . . .finally, something occupationally concurrent with my training.

Since that time (mid-60's), I've been an eager "player" in the field of experiential/adventure education. I served as a watch officer at Hurricane Island Outward Bound in 1967, and chief instructor at the North Carolina Outward Bound School until 1971. I left Outward Bound to become one of the founders of the Project Adventure program in Hamilton, MA and worked there continuously until 1996. I spent the following six years working with the folks at the High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Credit Karl with having authored 15 books that relate to the field of adventure education including Cowstails & Cobras, Silver Bullets 1 & 2, QuickSilver, and Funn 'n Games.

I'm quasi-retired but still travel worldwide presenting clinics concerning the use of games and initiative problems as related to various pedagogic applications. I live with my wife, Gloree, in Galena, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical and easy to digest information, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Quicksilver: Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities and a Guide to Effective Leadership (Paperback)

This is a great book if you're looking for ways to bring a group of people together and establish positive group dynamics. Whether you've had lots of experience in facilitating group sessions, or none, you'll find the ideas useful. The opening section highlights the pivotal role a facilitator has in ensuring groupwork is affective. The emphasis in the mode of presentation is to give participants the sense that what they contribute is worthwhile and that they can achieve - as a group and as individuals. There are sure to be activities to suit any group size, interest, ability and comfort level. The activities themselves are written in such a way as to encourage you to adapt them if they aren't exactly meeting your groups needs. Adapation and exploration of ideas is encouraged, with an emphasis on fun, participation and acceptance.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good on games, lacking on the rest, February 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Quicksilver: Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities and a Guide to Effective Leadership (Paperback)

I was disappointed in this book. It becomes clear as you read it that it is written for an audience already familiar with the author's Project Adventure. Unfortunately this isn't made clear on the back cover or anywhere else. The first chapter advises telling the group about The Experiental Learning Curve, The Full Value Contract, and Challenge by Choice - but none of these are covered at all in this book - and worse still, the book doesn't even refer one to where one COULD find out about them, beyond a brief mention of another book ("Youth Leadership in Action") on the last page of the book. Also, if you have a basic knowledge of leading experiential learning, then you will not learn anything from the irritatingly chatty introductory chapters of this book. Buy this book based on the games only.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, June 3, 2003

By 

Brian Kirk (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quicksilver: Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities and a Guide to Effective Leadership (Paperback)

I have used many of the team challenges in this book in my work in youth ministry and public education. There are ideas for everything from ice-breakers to large group challenges that are very effective for building community and encouraging people to work together toward a common goal while having fun at the same time. While some of the ideas require more complex props, many can be done with items you have readily available around the house or office. All of the ideas would work as effectively with youth or adults in a variety of settings. Best of all, the text is written in Rohnke's witty style that makes reading about the games almost as fun as playing them.