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CHOICE Review

Amid a spate of opportunistic, instant-management books comes this thought-provoking volume from an elder statesman. Cleveland draws heavily on his public-service background (US State Department and university administration) without ignoring private sector perspectives. In the first six chapters the author shows how the expansion, intensification, and diffusion of information erode and redistribute the power once conveyed by ``control, secrecy, ownership, and limited access to resources'' (and geographic remoteness). The author considers the implications of the information explosion and the growth of new technologies for management practices. Cleveland concludes by discussing the role of managers in this new work environment and recommends qualities that leaders should possess. This is, deceptively, an important book that raises profound questions about roles for specialists versus generalists in significant decision making. Cleveland's sagacity and translation of his experience and reflection into an integrated message merit high recommendation, with the caveat that this wisdom may be squandered on the young and on those with a narrow private-sector orientation. College collections.-J.S. Thompson, University of Connecticut