The editor has done well to not only assemble an eminent group of 22 authors, but also to orchestrate their effective delivery of the various parts of the whole that together meet the stated objectives of this timely book.

The coherence and clarity of the assembled perspectives on current construction issues in developing countries, is evidently enhanced by the agreed framework that the authors worked within. Many of the issues are viewed afresh, rather than only through the prism of internationally accepted principles and practices of construction project management. Indeed, although initially establishing a 'great divide' between the nature of the driving forces in developing vs. developed construction industries, the editor had urged chapter authors to bear in mind that developing countries are not homogeneous, and that relevant examples from developed country experiences should also be drawn upon. Indeed one would expect that many lessons learned in some developed countries may be applicable elsewhere, after adjusting for context and current priorities.

Conversely, some lessons learned and practices developed in some developing countries could be of relevance to some developed countries as well. Therefore this book could well be of direct value to a developed country audience as well, not only because some construction organisations (and some academics) in those countries aspire to (or already) work in developing countries.

Having established the background and rationale of the book, in the opening chapter, the editor provides an overview of comparative issues, considerations and typical differences in driving forces, in projecting the 'great divide' between developed and developing countries. He also neatly summarises the contributions of each forthcoming chapter. The subsequent 15 chapters are slotted into six parts with two or three chapters in each. The resulting six parts/ 'facets' are broadly termed 'Industry practices', 'Industry performance on projects', 'Strategies', 'Reconstruction programmes', 'Project Management' and 'Industrial development'. For example, the last part contains two chapters: (1) on 'green jobs in construction' based on Werna's worldwide United Nations based experiences and information, including case studies in four countries in two continents; and (2) on 'construction technology development and innovation' based on Van Egmond's research, including four case studies spanning three continents.

Common threads, for example those from the Millennium Development Goals, run through some chapters, while some other aspects dovetail into each other to provide a coherent cross-sectional picture.

Apart from the value of the consolidated messages delivered, specific findings of both problems and potential solutions will be of particular value to different readers. For example, Suresh, Bashir and Olomolaiye identify a set of barriers to implementing lean construction in developing countries and proceed to propose a 'lean protocol' to help overcome some such barriers. In another example, Gunawansa provides a comprehensive account of public private partnerships (PPP) for developing and sustaining physical infrastructure, before drilling deep into particular PPP issues including risks, in developing countries. This chapter also concludes with recommendations – in this case, for developing policy and governance architectures to enable the desired win-win options.

Other issues and recommendations dealt with in other chapters include transparency/ corruption, information & communication technology, safety and health, procurement and social opportunities, leadership, subcontracting and joint venturing, sustainable low-cost housing, project performance and risks in different developing country contexts.

What is missing and what more can be done? Given the diversity of developing country scenarios and priority profiles, there will inevitably be issues that can not be covered in such a book. However this volume meets its objectives and provides a very readable cross-sectional coverage. The framework, methodologies and comprehensive examples should also provide a platform for launching further studies in this direction e.g. in different locations and on other issues, as well as for cross-fertilising through comparisons not just across developing, but also bridging the divide between some selected 'developing' and 'developed' countries.

Reviewed by Mohan Kumaraswamy – The University of Hong Kong