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.

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.

“I felt like yelling ‘Eureka’ when I read Mager’s new book. I have long sought a basic and clear book about the origins of our field… one that was interesting to read and gave clear examples of what we have been made of. For those interested in letting people know about the field from Bob’s unique and insightful experiences and gifts, I recommend it. And it would make a great book for anyone teaching a course on our field and where it came from. It is great.”

Roger Kaufman, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Florida State University