A highly personalized account, Social Science in Actual Practice is a concrete, practical review of Rolf P. LyntonÆs career as a systems consultant, a hands-on trainer, and a CEO in manpower and institution development on three continents spanning five decades. Episodes from actual work are examined, each in three phases: How did the work come about? What actually took place by way of involvements, interventions (planned and unplanned), and outcomes? What might be done better now with hindsight in similar circumstances? The discussions include strikes in a world-class port, explicating coal mine management, "decentralizing" public services (especially in health), innovating in communities and corporations, starting and administering a professional school, and interdisciplinary work in universities and in professional associations. Rolf P. Lynton is in the picture quite explicitly throughout the book. The ample and meticulously kept daily records, the dynamic and personal dimensions and the cross-cultural settings all interplay in Social Science in Actual Practice to further learning, including conceptual clarifications. A rare and unusual book that is both data-based and personalized, with a broad international coverage. Practitioners and scholars in management, organizational development, behavioral sciences, social research methods, human resources development, social work, public administration, and institution building will find Social Science in Actual Practice very useful.