Review by Choice Review
The purpose of this book is to list "organized interest groups that have had an impact on consumer protection policy in the U.S. since 1960." All types of organizations are listed--consumer, trade, professional, business, etc. Since impact can be either pro- or anticonsumer, both Action on Smoking and Health and the Tobacco Institute are listed. In another arena, Handgun Control is listed but not the National Rifle Association, although the latter has had profound effect on firearms legislation of interest to consumers. To select organizations for inclusion, the compilers consulted reference sources and tabulated how often associations testified at congressional hearings, 1977-87. Although this volume cannot replace Encyclopedia of Associations (of 114 organizations, only 21 percent [14 of 67] from the "Consumers" section of the Encyclopedia are listed), Bykerk and Maney provide fuller descriptions and discuss the organizations' policy concerns and tactics. Each organization entry includes a bibliography, but other sources cite more publications: the database Expanded Academic Index has six entries for Handgun Control and 83 under "National Rifle Association--political activity." Introductory matter gives a brief history of consumer protection policy. Libraries that own Encyclopedia of Associations will not need this book, but those supporting consumer affairs programs may find this a less expensive alternative to the Encyclopedia. N. A. Mackey; Southwest Missouri State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
