This book, first published in 1982, offers an examination of the special nature of biochemistry collections. It focuses on the production, control, and use of the literature – diverse in nature, and analysed here by specialist contributors.

"When the first University of Denver Publishing Institute came to a dose in August 1976, all of us involved in its launching knew that we had a real success on our hands. And we knew it was due in great measure to an outstanding faculty of more than forty top publishing executives who had come to Denver during those four weeks to teach our students. How regrettable, it seemed, that their knowledge and expertise were available only to the eighty students handpicked for that first class. Fred Praeger, publisher of Westview Press, suggested a solution. ""Do a book,"" he invited, ""and let Westview publish the curriculum for others to share."""

"The United States of America and Canada"; beginning with 1983, Western Europe also covered, in vols. 4-5;