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CHOICE Review

The latest edition of Laos: A Country Study presents, in concise form, current information on the government, politics, economy, and history of this small, landlocked and--for much of its history--infrequently visited multiethnic country. Since 1962 some six editions of the work, initially titled Area Handbook for Laos, have appeared; the 1979 and subsequent editions have the present title. The current edition contains topical chapters by Arthur J. Dommen and seven other contributors. It offers a relatively up-to-date overview of the government, politics, and economy of this small country and provides selected statistical data. The five chapters that make up the body of the work are supplemented by brief tables, a chronology, and a glossary. The culture, arts, music, and literature of Laos are not covered in any detail. Still helpful as an introduction to Lao culture is Rene de Berval's Kingdom of Laos (Saigon, 1959). Also useful is Martin Stuart-Fox and Mary Kooyman's Historical Dictionary of Laos (CH, Sep'92), which, as its title suggests, is in dictionary format and gives greater emphasis to historical topics than the country survey. A convenient annotated bibliography is Helen Cordell's Laos (CH, Dec'92). General and academic readers. L. S. Dutton Northern Illinois University