31 2 I Book NOICS

Soviet Union, rather than simply avenged through the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The authors argue that neither is credible: the Soviets are preeminent in conventional forces, and the nuclear trends are adverse. They blame the allies for abdicating the responsibility of European defense. What these circumstances should lead to, the authors maintain, is a new U.S. strategy emphasizing sea power and sea-based forcc projection. Record is a n original and respected defense policy analyst. This provocative monograph cannot be dismissed as another academic critique. I t is instead the best reflection of a viewpoint that advocates a fundamental restructur- ing and reorientation of U.S. military power given new political environments in Europe.

Derek Leebaen is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

LABOR A Primer on American LuborLaw, by William B. Could. Cambridge, Craig V.D. Thorntoo MA: The MIT Press, 1982, 242 pp. Price: $24.95 cloth, $9.95 paper.

This useful book provides a good overview of American labor law, including a brief history of the labor movement and the government's changing role in the labor market. It successfully summarizes this complex body of law and provides extensive references. The writing can become somewhat dense as a result of Professor Could's desire to be concise yet comprehensive and accurate. However, with careful reading thc book is a n invaluable resource to labor policy analysts.

The Youth Labor Market Problem: Its Nature, Causes, and Conse- quences, edited by Richard B. Freeman and David A. Wise. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1982, 555 pp. Price: $45.00.

This volume results from a National Bureau of Economic Research conference held in May 1979. Its 15 papers and the associated comments provide the best overview of youth labor market research available. They present and analy L e the available cvidcnce as well as the principal data sets and analytical tech- niqucs being used in this area. Their conclusions-that youth unemployment is concentrated among a relatively small group, that youth unemployment is different than adult unemployment. and that youth unemployment has little effect on adult employ- ment (although i t appears to negatively affect adult wages) - clcarly have important policy implications.

Postal Reorganization: Managing the Public's Business, by John T. Tierney. Boston, MA: Auburn House, 1981, 191 pp. Price: $19.95.

The United States Postal Service's 600,000 workers are the most highly unionized and best organized federal workers. Their influ- ence on postal policies before and after the 1970 reorganization is fascinating. As part of his examination of the process and problems of the Postal Service, Dr. Tierney analyzes both the postal workers'

1 Book Notes 313

role in shaping the reorganization and the subsequent experience with collective bargaining. He also examines the process of rate making and the constraints and policy conflicts pertaining to managerial attempts to control costs. The book is well written and will interest students of public administration as well as those focused on postal or labor issues.

Craig V.D. Thornton is a Senior Economist at Mathernatica Policy Research, Inc.

Unemployment Insurance Financing: An Evaluation, by Joseph M. Becker, S.J. Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1981, 169 pp. Price: $14.25 cloth, $6.25 paper.

This book reexamines two basic financing decisions made by the designers of the Unemployment Insurance System: to make each state as well as each employer responsible for their costs. It concludes that these decisions were wise and have contributed to the system’s overall success. While this conclusion seems sound, Becker’s arguments are weakened by his almost exclusive reliance on his own judgments and on his extensive experience with the Unemployment Insurance System. By dismissing as irrelevant or ignoring the empirical work of other researchers he fails to build as strong a case as possible.

Walter S. Corson is a Senior Economist at Mathernafica Policy Research, Inc.

LAW AND THE Governing Through Courts, edited by Richard A.L. Gambitta, ADMINISTRATION OF Marylynn L. May, and James C. Foster. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage

Much of our governing is done through courts. Typically, this judicial activity is thought to be of recent vintage. A surprising amount of i t is not. That is one of the intriguing propositions presented in these essays, which provide a useful context for understanding the current work of the judiciary. The book has three parts: a set of overview essays on the general role of the courts, a second group of essays devoted to the roles of the courts in specific substantive areas, and a final group on certain indirect ways courts influence public policy.

Social Science in the Courtroom: Statistical Techniques and Re- search Methods for Winning Class-Action Suits, by James W. Loewen. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1982, 234 pp. Price: $2 1.95.

This book has an intentional “how to” emphasis. For attorneys, it provides information about when and how to use social scien- tists as experts in litigation. For social scientists who become experts, i t provides information about how to prepare and present

JUSTICE Publications, 1981, 319 pp. Price: $25.00 cloth, $12.50 paper. Robert F. Coularn