Everyday Life in British Government. R.A.W. Rhodes. Oxford University Press. £25.00. xii + 349 pages. ISBN 978-0-19960114-1. This is Prof. Rhodes' third book on the workings of government. His aim was to interview senior civil servants and to uncover the world of permanent secretaries and ministers as seen in dieir daily work - the world of Sir Humphrey and Jim Hacker. The result is something between history and a sociological survey of an elite or rather, two elites. He wisely confined himself to three ministries: Trade and Industry, Education and Skills, and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He 'shadowed' ministers and civil servants and he interviewed people about dieir work between 2002 and 2004 so we have here the second term of 'New Labour'. This allows him to describe the assumptions which knit people into a world of their own, the traditions and practices mat guide their work and allow them to cope with crises, e.g. a minister's new idea, without falling apart. He begins by giving an overview of politics between 2001 and 2005 and goes on to describe how ministers and permanent secretaries work from day to day. He also describes the 'departmental courts' or everyday life in me offices behind die permanent secretaries. He gives a 'case study' - the resignation of Estelle Morris at the DES as an example of coping with a crisis. One finishes the book with some sympadiy for both ministers and civil servants, caught as both are in the frenetic world of instant communication and 24-hour news reporting. But this is a book of observation, not argument. Having said that, there is one caveat: reform but only after you understand what it is you are changing. As a country, Sir Humphrey notwithstanding, we could do far worse. (G.F.B.)