The growing perception of the public and politicians that life is extremely risky has led to a dramatic and increasing interest in risk analysis. The risks may be very diverse as demonstrated by the range of subjects covered at the annual meetings of the Society for Risk Analysis. There is a need to pause and see how well the present approaches are serving the nation. The theme, "Setting National Priorities," which was chosen for the 1987 SRA Annual Meeting, reflects the concern that in dealing with individual kinds of risks, society may be more concerned with the trees than the forest. It is surprising how little attention is being given to the holistic aspects of risk. Who, for instance, is responsible for a national strategy to manage the reduction of health or other risks? Individual agencies have the responsibility for specific patterns of exposure, but these are not integrated and balanced to determine how the nation as a whole can obtain the greatest benefit for the very large investment which is made in risk-related research and analysis.

Each year since 1982 the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy has briefed the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation on important progress in U.S. science and technology and major areas of research opportunity. This year the research briefing topics are "Order, Chaos, and Patterns: Aspects of Nonlinearity"; "Biological Control in Managed Ecosystems"; "Chemical Processing of Materials and Devices for Information Storage and Handling"; and "High-Temperature Superconductivity." The 1987 briefings also cover a policy topic, "Research and Research Funding: Impact, Trends, and Policies," a new step toward addressing a wider range of issues in the research briefing format.

Mathematics is the key to opportunity. No longer only the language of science, mathematics is now essential to business, finance, health, and defense. Yet because of the lack of mathematical literacy, many students are not prepared for tomorrow's jobs. Everybody Counts suggests solutions. Written for everyone concerned about our children's education, this book discusses why students in this country do not perform well in mathematics and outlines a comprehensive plan for revitalizing mathematics education in America, from kindergarten through college. single copy, $8.95; 2-9 copies, $7.50 each; 10 or more copies, $6.95 each (no other discounts apply)