Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

German T and Randall J. (eds.). 1996. The Reality of Aid 1996. Earthsean. pp xii + 244. ISBN 185383 348 7. £14.95.

Subtitled "an independent review of international aiV this book is the third in the series which investigates many aspects of aid of a yearly basis. It is divided into five sections. The first, acting as an overview describes current issues and summarises the picture. Part two comprises a number of case studies taken from the point of view of the recipient - Cambodia, Fij~ India, Peru, postcommunist nations and Zimbabwe. Part three sees the turn of donor nations with a profile of the OECD countries in turns of aid (donations, geographical preferences, sectoral preferences) and an assessment of mechanisms/national issues. The final part, "aid facts and figures", acts as a collection point for a range of ideas from public attitudes and aid control to poverty reduction and education.

Given the importance of aid in international policies and the linkages, post-Rio, with conservation and biodiversity this text is an excellent guide to the actual aid given. It allows the reader to compare nations and policies in a way rarely seen in this emotive field.