Choice Review

Initially, this work does not seem promising because it lacks a real introduction, a summary of findings, substantial conclusions, and a theoretical framework. It contains 14 essays on government ethics and law enforcement, plus five appendixes on international and New York State codes of ethics in the public and corporate sectors. The idea emerged from an International Seminar on Government Ethics and Corruption, sponsored by the New York City Department of Investigation [DOI] and the Conflicts of Interests Board. The contributors are primarily corruption fighters in New York City and city-based international bureaucrats, most of whom have made their careers in the UN. Lest this seem an odd mixture of contributors, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani asserts in the prologue that "... New York City is recognized as the capital of the world." The essays describe in detail how to foster ethical behavior and combat fraud and corruption. The reviewer was particularly struck by Anthony Bennett's argument that the lack of trained accountants is a key impediment to good government in Eastern Europe and Russia and by the descriptions of the work of New York City's DOI. This "how-to" book by committed professionals deals with an issue of extraordinary importance and is recommended for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners. R. E. Hartwig; Texas A&M University-Kingsville