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Gerald M. Weinberg
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Donald C. Gause
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Are Your Lights On?: How to Figure Out What the Problem Really Is Paperback – March 1, 1990

by Donald C. Gause (Author), Gerald M. Weinberg (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 89 ratings
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1990 DORSET HOUSE PUBLISHING SOFTCOVER
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  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dorset House
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 1990
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780932633163
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0932633163
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is a down-to-earth approach to the managerial problems of the '90's." -- Jim Van Speybroeck, Data Processing Digest

"another wonderful and whimsical book from Gerald Weinberg and Donald Gause." -- Barry Kornfeld, Sound Bytes

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0932633161
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dorset House; Reprint. edition (March 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780932633163
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0932633163
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Gerald M. Weinberg

    Gerald M. Weinberg

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    I've always been interested in helping smart people be happy and productive. To that end, I've published books on human behavior, including Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method, The Psychology of Computer Programming, Perfect Software and Other Fallacies, and an Introduction to General Systems Thinking. I've also written books on leadership including Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting (Foreword by Virginia Satir), More Secrets of Consulting, and the nine-volume Quality Software series.

    I try to incorporate my knowledge of science, engineering, and human behavior into all of my writing and consulting work (with writers, hi-tech researchers, software engineers, and people whose life-situation could require the use of a service dog). I write novels about such people, including The Aremac Project, Aremac Power, Jigglers, First Stringers, Second Stringers, The Hands of God, Freshman Murders, Earth's Endless Effort, Mistress of Molecules, Where There’s a Will There’s a Murder, The Death Lottery—all about how my brilliant protagonists produce quality work and learn to be happy. My books may be found linked from my website: geraldmweinberg.com.

    I’ve won many awards for my writing but the "award" I'm most proud of is the book, The Gift of Time (Fiona Charles, ed.) written by my student and readers for my 75th birthday. Their stories make me feel that I've been at least partially successful at helping smart people be happy.

    - Gerald M. (Jerry) Weinberg

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  2. Donald C. Gause

    Donald C. Gause

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
89 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful guide to problem-solving, with one mentioning it provides new ways of approaching issues. They also describe it as an entertaining read.

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11 customers mention "Insight"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, describing it as a wonderful guide to problem-solving, with one customer noting it provides new ways of approaching issues.

"...when dealing with ambiguity and nuance, this book provides new of ways of looking the problem that you might have otherwise passed over." Read more

"...George Polya wrote a wonderful book on problem-solving. His focus is on mathematics, but can be applied as a guide to any thought process...." Read more

"...I must admit that its logical but I didn't identify the added value of its information." Read more

"...Instead, it uses many humorous and thoughtful examples to involve the reader in thinking about the real, unstated, problem or opportunity...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining to read.

"...It's a quick and entertaining read that would change how you will approach problem solving in the future." Read more

"...I almost have a Ph.D. Oh, it is fun after dinner reading from two of my heros." Read more

"Delightful and thought-provoking, light on solutions..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • btaz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great problem solving book. Well worth a read.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    To often it's easy to get into problem solving mode once a problem has presented itself. This book shows you to take a step back and consider what the problem really is and who's having the problem. Often you'll find that a problem is not just a single problem but multiple problems which each may require multiple solutions. It's a quick and entertaining read that would change how you will approach problem solving in the future.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bryan Croteau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Full of insights
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a gift that keeps on giving. I have read it twice and I am working on my third read-through, and I am seeing new insights that I didn't see the first two times I read it. The book does not contain specific advice for specific situations. However, when dealing with ambiguity and nuance, this book provides new of ways of looking the problem that you might have otherwise passed over.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Neori
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good questions to ask yourself in solving real life problems
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book is good at reminding us not just to solve the problem logically, but to put it into a context of an organization (any interrelation with people). Who has the problem? Does he want the problem to be solved? What is the problem (as in example with toy factory)? If you are not you, but someone else, what would you do? These questions are, although common sense, were not at all obvious to me before reading this book.

    I give 3 stars for 2 reasons:
    1) The problems in the book could be stated in a more realistic fashion, so that one would have a solid interest in giving it a try to solve on his own
    2) Make main statements less ambiguous

    I give one additional star for the fact that I haven't seen any other book of this kind.

    George Polya wrote a wonderful book on problem-solving. His focus is on mathematics, but can be applied as a guide to any thought process. He also stresses the need to clearly understand the problem by asking yourself questions, like: "What is the unknown?, "What are the data?", "What is the condition?". He goes further into showing methods of finding a solution, devising a plan and drawing lessons from solved problems. This book also gives a chance to practice with easy mathematically, but nevertheless not standard puzzles in the end of the book.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Vicente Matus
    5.0 out of 5 stars David Heinemeier Hansson recommended this book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Problem and solutions always depends on the perspective. DHH recommended this book.
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  • Juancr21
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing incredible
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I work with problem solving methodologies and I expected to see something new when I bought this book. I must admit that its logical but I didn't identify the added value of its information.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Alex Pronove
    1.0 out of 5 stars Baloney! I bought it because of its excellent reviews. I'm pitching it because it's so poorly written.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    It made sense up to the end of chapter 5. Then, things don't start adding up.

    The authors use a "cute" hypothetical scenario that was appropriate until the story started losing its thread. That happened, as far as I'm concerned, in chapter 6.

    In that chapter, Billy, one of the protagonists, figured that "you can never be sure you have a correct problem definition, even after the problem is solved." After an intermediate lesson, Billy figures out that "you can never be sure you have a correct definition, but don't ever stop trying to get one."

    And there the chapter ends.

    That's where I started to grouse. Those are their words of wisdom!? Chapter 7 is entitled "The Endless Chain." It sounds like the correct sequel to the wheels that the authors started spinning in the preceding chapter. "Each solution is the source of the next problem." Really!? Draw me an Ishikawa diagram and I'll get to the source of the problem faster than the banal platitudes offered in this book.

    I read my copy shortly after buying it. I was going through my bookshelf, recalled my unsatisfactory impression of this book, and decided to reread it. Well, I'm throwing it away and this is its tombstone.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • kouros mohit
    5.0 out of 5 stars About the meaning of life! Really!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    If you read this book five times the meaning of life will become clear to you! I have purchased many copies of this book and shared them with colleagues that have all sorts of problems. One person with a Ph.D. read it twice and refused to read it again and did not get it. All others got the message. Some after three times of reading. some after four. It took me five times to understand the underlying message. I almost have a Ph.D. Oh, it is fun after dinner reading from two of my heros.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • David Kirk
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a keeper.....
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    I manage a team of business systems analysts whose job it is to solve problems. No, not the problem as stated by the user, but the underlying problem that is often unseen. And to find the solution that was never obvious. That's where this book excels. It does not teach problem solving, it is not a heavy read, it offers no formal methodology. Instead, it uses many humorous and thoughtful examples to involve the reader in thinking about the real, unstated, problem or opportunity. This is one of those rare books that you can read again and again.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Sergey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    very good book
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  • Thomas Felden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super geschrieben - habe ich sehr gerne gelesen und in einem Stück verschlungen
    Reviewed in Germany on December 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Der Titel hat mich eigentlich nicht angesprochen aber wegen der Inhaltsangabe habe ich es trotzdem gekauft. Der Inhalt ist sehr humorvoll manchmal witzig dargestellt und man trifft so einiges an Lebensweisheiten adrett verpackt und stringent im Zusammenhang dargestellt.
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  • Maik Nogens
    4.0 out of 5 stars Weinbergs Bücher sind ein "Muss"
    Reviewed in Germany on April 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Wer im Testing Umfeld arbeitet, kommt an Weinberg nicht vorbei.
    Und das ist auch gut so. Das Wissen, was in den über 30 Büchern steckt, die Jerry zu unterschiedlichsten Themengebieten geschrieben hat, ist immer noch aktuell und faszinierend.
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