This is a very fine first book focused specifically on Congressional Caucuses in National Policy Making. It is largely descriptive and does not include what I really was looking for, measures of effectiveness and deliberate enumeration and evaluation of tangible legislative successes by each caucus, mor does it describe and evaluate specific outputs or methods used by caucuses (e.g. web sites, monthly newsletters, email lists). It also does not include the specifics of Member names in relation to each caucus, or of key experienced staff participants in caucus management, both of which would have been useful appendices (and must now be dug out from the Congressional Yellow Book). Finally, it makes reference to but only gives passing attention to the very strong anti-caucus element within the Congress, in which very serious respected Members take issue with the lack of fiscal accountability and other negative elements of the caucus.

Having said all that, I completely recommend this book as the only really good book-level treatment of this issue in isolation. The bibliography is superb, covering books on legislative policy making as well as articles and primary documents. The index is acceptable but not exemplary.

The author's bottom line, based on original research and a fine overview of national, regional, state/district, industry, party, and personal interest caucuses, is that they provide a very substantial *complement* to the formal committee process, and thus render an invaluable service to Members.

Caucuses, in the author's investigative report, exist primarily to help Members deal with complex issues that are either multi-jurisdictional in nature, not covered adequately by existing Committee assignments, or lacking in political support or attention for various reasons--the High Altitude Caucus, to keep environmental regulations designed for sea-level from being too silly at high altitudes, is a good example of the latter.

Caucuses are primarily information collection and sharing vehicles, followed by agenda and policy setting tools. They serve as valuable forums for orienting new Members or helping Members across various Committee jurisdictions focus on shared concerns.

The book finds that caucuses are perceived as policy actors, both within the legislative process and within the Administration. In the 100th Congress, the focal point for the book, most caucuses were focused on economic issues, especially trade. About a quarter focused on defense and foreign policy including international trade and immigration issues. Roughly 20% worked trade issues, 17% defense issues, and 13% immigration, human rights, and terrorism issues.

At the time of the book's writing there were no caucuses on national information strategy or information technology applications relevant to improving government operations at the federal level, or between the federal and state/local levels.

Administratively, in the past caucuses could be recognized as legislative service agencies and given official funding and floor space. These privileges were eliminated in the mid-1990's due to leadership concerns over accountability and propriety. Some converted to non-profit status, others to a new form of caucus, the congressional member organization. In the aftermath of the 104th Congress elimination of the older form of caucus, most have staffs that are very small, 1-2 at most, and tend to be managed by the leading Member.

This is a fine book and a good first start for what could be a new literature on new forms of democratic representation enabled by the Internet. There is no reason why the emerging trends in cyber-advocacy and digital democracy at described so well by the Foundation on Public Affairs might not eventually be integrated into a larger digital caucus environment in which Members can matrix various grassroots civic offerings, industry information, and caucus-based filtering and analytic services, to get in closer touch with real-world information that is not filtered by the Administration or the constrained by the limitations of the Congressional Research Service, which does the best it can with excruciatingly limited resources. I hope the author goes on to write this second book as her first is a valuable and helpful offering to policy-makers, citizen advocates, and students of the emerging new democratic processes made possible by the Internet.

George Krambles was not just an observer, but the well respected, hands-on General Manager that respected all who worked for him and with him at the CTA. It was not unususal to see Mr.Krambles at the controls of an L-train in the Chicago Loop, or behind the wheel of the latest model bus. This is not just a collection of memoirs, but a factual journey into the day to day operations of a transit system no one knew the way he did.

The text is complimented nicely by color photographs by Art Peterson, one of the nation's top transit proffessionals and a prolific urban photo! grapher. To further add to this volume are rare photos from the CTA's own historic files, many rarely seen. Other graphics are reproduced as well.

Wheather you are a urbanoligist, transit proffessional, or rail or bus fan, this book is worth a prized spot in your library.

UECs are tough to define, and the authors devote over 30 pages in trying to define it. By the end though, I still do not have a clear concise definition of UECs.

In addition, it does not have a perspective in arguing for or against UECs. I was looking for the authors' arguments why cities or communities should encourage or discourage UECs.

Lastly, since retail trends change every ten years or so, the authors do not mention what will be the likely format when UECs are no longer the latest trends. Predicting the future is tough, but the authors should at least help me point to a particular direction.

Overall, this is the only comprehensive book on this topic so far, and it is quite enjoyable to read.

His thoughts, based on traditional Japanese culture-about which he gives a basic understanding--, are definitively those of a visionary. I found it interesting to see the future from his point of view. Although one might feel he is overly optimistic toward the future, there is definitively, in the XXIst century, a movement toward Asia, and his work and experiences in Malaysia and other Asian countries make him a privileged observer of the growing influence of this part of the world. I think there is a lot to learn about Asian cultures if we want to take be a part of their development.