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Third, the “Main Menu” allows the user to “Select an INDEX.” A few files have “one or more” index files that the user may use to reorganize the output. Frequently it will be unnecessary to use this option, since the “Select Records” option serves to select the appropriate index.

The Extract

Technical

Documentation

Extract’s Technical Documentation is included with the program files and should be printed out before installing Extract (it includes some installation information). While all users could benefit from following the step-by-step descriptions provided in the Technical Documentation (these could be simplified for novice users), more sophisticated users will especially want to spend time reading the documentation, which includes information about options that are not always listed on the screen. For example, how to restrict the “universe” of a search to a single state or geographic level (i.e., national level, state, MSA, county, place, or zip code) early in the search. This option reduces the list of files (or catalogs) that is displayed. In addition, explanations of several cryptic menu-type options are provided only in the documentation (For example: the prompt Other options: D, J, W, or H could have been made more user-friendly by listing: D, J, W, or H). However, because data file choices are listed on a scrolling screen use the up and down arrows or the PgDn or PgUp keys to move through the list) it is possible for the novice user to use Extract without ever knowing that “J” will allow you to jump to a specific word in the list or that “W” makes it possible to search for a specific word in the data file list. “D” should provide a definition of the item currently highlighted. However, few definitions are actually available and provided when “D” is selected. The Technical Documentation also includes “Advanced Topics.” One such topic, “How to Use Command-Line Parameters,” describes how to create a menu system that would allow Extract to be used with several different census CD-ROMs. Another “Advanced Topic” section, “How to Select Records with Conditional Clauses,” describes another hidden menu option to create “conditional phrases” like those allowed in dBASE’” III+. This expands the flexibility of Extract to allow for boolean operators and “if” conditions.

Conclusion The 1987 Economic Censuses are now accessible in all depository libraries in a computer-readable format. This step in itself is an important one in making this data available in a more flexible format to a wider audience. However, whether the Extract software provides enough flexibility for extracting and manipulating this data will probably depend on the skills of the user and the librarians who assist that user. In general, however, users will need to be familiar with application software packages that are not provided by the Census Bureau to make the most use of this data. The menu-driven interface is fairly easy to use, yet the user must have some understanding of the structure of the data files and the strengths and weaknesses of the data itself to be able to effectively implement the menu-driven interface to produce a useable data table. Whether novice users or sophisticated users will want to be bothered dealing with the interim step of using Extract to locate data for their own research projects still remains to be seen. As always, the librarians in the depository libraries where these CD-ROMs are located will provide the final key that helps users open this important data resource. DEBORACHENEY Pattee Library The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 USA

Europe, USA, Japan. Edited by Edgar Pisani et al. (Contemporary European Affairs ser. no. 3). Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1990. 274 p. ISBN 0-08-040815-X. ISSN 0955-3843. DM 125.00 institutional subscriptions, DM82.00 personal subscription. The changes in Eastern Europe that started in 1989 and the Persian Gulf war of 1991 have generated talk about a new “world order.” With the cold war winding down and new cooperation between old

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rivals, it seems that there are new opportunities that governments can pursue. At the same time, there is also the feeling that the old military rivalries are being transferred to the economic realm. In this context, new economic superpowers are surfacing that are not necessarily the same as the old military superpowers. In the climate of an increasingly competitive economic environment, Japan and the United States emerge clearly as economic superpowers. Western Europe has the potential to achieve this status and is making every effort in that direction. The foundation of Western European economic cooperation goes back several decades, with the creation of the European Common Market. This concept is being taken a step further with the planned elimination of the economic barriers among the 12 members of the European Community in 1992. The present book addresses the varied and complex issues facing the Europeans on the eve of the historic changes that will integrate Western Europe even more closely in 1992. The book is composed of volume 3, numbers 1 and 2, 1990, of the journal Contemporary European AfSairs. The contributors are scholars, politicians, journalists, and business leaders from Europe, The United States, and Japan. In all, there are 23 contributors and as many chapters followed by two book reviews. The format and content of each chapter varies depending on the style and preference of the writer. Two of the chapters are interviews. Other chapters closely resemble research articles, complete with footnotes. Yet other articles lack footnotes or references. The credibility of the articles is derived from the credentials of the authors, who are connected with prestigious universities, institutes, corporations, or international organizations. The book is divided into several sections. The fist section, “Europe, USA, Japan,” is 180 pages long and is by far the longest. The focus of this section is the role that the three economic superpowers, Europe, the United States, and Japan play in the world, and their relationship with each other. The other sections are entitled: “European Dossier,” “Literary Chronicle,” and “Europe Now.” The final section contains two book reviews. Each one of these sections is much shorter, ranging from 10 to 50 pages in length. Despite the different styles and approaches used by the authors, the reader can detect a similarity among the views of authors based on their national origin. Certain themes emerge. It is very clear that the Europeans, the Americans, and the Japanese do not see the issues the same way. Both the Europeans and the Japanese state confidently that the role of the United States is declining (p. 52). The American budget deficit and the national debt, coupled with the trade imbalance are signs of this decline. Michel Beaud, from the Department of Political Economy at the University of Paris VII, contends that paradoxically, neither Europe nor Japan can ignore the United States, because the dollar is still the most important world currency (p. 76). Both a weak and a strong dollar are advantageous to the United States because the former boosts exports and the latter helps American investments abroad. Despite its perceived decline, the United States is still a major player on the world scene economically, politically, and militarily (p. 77). Gianni De Michelis, the Italian foreign minister (p. 20), and Claude Julien, the President of the Condorcet Circle in Paris (p. 29). echo this view. They stress the importance of the relationship between Europe and the United States. Since the end of World War II, the United States has been actively involved in international affairs, both political and economic, to a much larger degree than either Europe and Japan. Hans Maull, professor at the Catholic University of Eichstatt, Germany, maintains that the bilateral relations between the United States and Europe on one hand and the United States and Japan on the other, have been much stronger than the relations between Europe and Japan (p. 52). Despite the increase in their power and their economies, both Europe and Japan rely heavily on the leadership of the United States in the area of international affairs. However, Maull, in his analysis of the relations between Europe and Japan shows that the two powers are starting to show more initiative in international affairs. The Japanese writers also attach great importance to the United States. Keyia Toyonaga, Senior Managing Director at the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and the Managing Director of the Kansai Committee for Economic Development acknowledges the role of the United States in creating the economic system that has prevailed after World War II (p. 133). Given the ascent of Japanese economic power, he proposes the creation of a new economic system in which Japan shares the responsibility with the United States. For the European authors, Japan is a major topic of concern. They view Japan as an economic threat. Much discussion is devoted to how Europe will be able to protect its markets from the Japanese after the trade barriers between the European Economic Community countries are removed. Bernard Cassen, journalist for LR Monde Diplomatique looks at the impact of Japanese automobile exports on the European automobile industry (p. 122) and the possible loss of this vital industry. Alain Crochet, professor at the University of Paris XI analyses Japanese strategies for entering the European financial and industrial markets (p. 112). Ricardo Petrella, a member of the editorial board of Contemporary European Affuirs ana-

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lyzes the controversial Japanese book The Japan That Can Say No written by two prominent Japanese public figures: Shinataro Ishihara, journalist and politician, and Akito Morita, director of the Sony Corporation (p. 143). The two authors argue that Japan has reached the level of scientific and technical development where it can dictate its own future and does not need to be dependent on the United States. The implications are also that without Japanese technology, the United States, and possibly Western Europe, would become second-rate powers. At the time of the writing of the articles, there was no specific European body that concerned itself with what the unified European response would be to the Japanese. The Europeans are generally very critical of Japanese business practices, charging them with “dumping” products on the European market at below-cost prices in order to increase market share as well as engaging in other unfair practices. The Japanese concerns, made clear by Hiroko Yamane from the Human Rights division of UNESCO, is that the protectionist policies of Western Europe are aimed at Japan and not at the United States (p. 87). Ironically, both the Japanese and the Europeans view the United States as being in a very favorable position, because of the free trade agreement with Canada and the possibility of another such agreement with Mexico. However, neither perceives the United States as a major threat in the post-1992 Europe. The American contributors, Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey. and Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Carter, concentrate more on the importance of free trade and the responsibilities that come with becoming a superpower. This reinforces the perception given by the book that for the United States, Europe is not the only playing ground. The articles in the rest of the sections cover different topics related to European and American affairs. There is an interview with political scientist Frances Fox Piven of the City University of New York on the American welfare system. An article by political scientist Paul Scheffer discusses the need and the means of a coherent foreign policy for the European alliance. In the chapter “Prometheus Unbound,” Daniel Singer, the European correspondent of the journal The Nation, discusses the changes in Eastern Europe in the context of Gorbachev’s concept of the “common European home” and the Russian revolution. Sociologist Jean-Marie Vincent from the University of Paris VIII gives a very lucid account of East German history from the rise SOpower of Erich Honecker in 1971 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Given the large and diverse number of contributors, one has to praise the excellent job done by the editors. The style of the articles is clear and coherent. and the arrangement makes the book interesting to read. One of the most important features of the book is that many of the contributors are involved directly in the decision making that will influence future outcomes. Others are scholars with an excellent grasp of the issues. The reader has the benefit of finding out about future plans as well as getting scholarly analyses of the issues. The book does not have an index. As a journal issue it does not necessarily need one, since it IS expected that the journal would be indexed by a commercial index. However. according to Ulrich’s Internationals Periodicals Directory 1990-91, the Serials Direcmry, 1991, and OCLC. the journal Cunrempcirury European AfSairs is not indexed by a commercial index. The lack of an index greatly impairs the ability of the reader to have quick topical access to the contents of the book. This book is very dramatic proof of how quickly international events are developing. The reader gets the impression that there is a large time lag between the writing of the articles and their publication. Many of the authors speculate on the possibility of German reunification and the future of the Warsaw Pact. With German reunification accomplished and the Warsaw Pact dissolved, the reader gets transported back in time and is reminded of the discussions in the press in mid-1990. However, the development of events only validates the points made by most authors. and gives the reader more confidence that then analysis of future events is rational. SEVER BORDEIANU General Library University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87 13 I

Government Information Insider. 173 1 Connecticut Avenue., N.W., Washington, DC, 20009-I 146. (202) 2348494. V.l, June 1990-. Bimonthly, Subscriptions: $75 per year. (Reviewed Vol. 1, no. l-4, June, 1990-January, 1991) In a Washington Post article published on December 21, 1984 (p. A21) and entitled “Keeping Track of Budgeteers,” Felicity Barringer wrote “If there is one sure sign of an agency’s growing power, it is the