Thinking About Rural Development.—By Arther T. Mosher. New York: Agricultural Development Council, Inc., 1976. xii+pp.350.

Abstract

This book is essentially a selection of the articles written by Arther T. Mosher during his long career as a rural development expert. Also appended at the end is a complete list of writings by him. The Agricultural Development Council has chosen to publish this book to honour the author, who was its President during 1967-1973, The publication of this book is welcome in the context of the recent rediscovery of rural development as a principal plank of need-oriented develop¬ment strategies. A basic defect of writing on rural development has been excessive resort to stereotype rehtoric, over-enthusiasm and a certain pedanticism. Fortunately, Mosher's orientation is practical, not doctrinaire. Although the book is titled "Thinking About Rural Development", the author keeps on bring¬ing together the thinking and practice into their validly interactive perspectives. Not surprisingly so, for the author has himself worked in the field as a rural development practitioner for a considerable length of time.