"The book is packed with interesting information and on the whole the authors have adopted a sensible approach to issues of rural poverty and unemployment alleviation. A valuable part of the book is the foreword written by the eminent economist Jan Tinbergen a few months before he passed away." --The Hindu "A vividly narrated study featuring experiences of special employment programmes implemented within and outside India. The authors make a distinct case for transforming public works programmes into a "modern" instrument of the developmental policy by integrating them with the mainstream economy.... The authors have not only gathered detailed evidences but have also carefully placed each of the case studies in its broader political economic-environment. Their efforts to provide a comprehensive historical account of the public works, their typologies, the underlying issues, and finally the emerging lessons are commendable. The case studies have good illustrative value. What is more striking is that without getting lost in the monor details, the authors have been able to reflect the micro situation in the mirror macro of realities. This ability on the part of the authors has certainly enriched the analysis beyond its evaluative content."