Book excerpt: First published in 1990. The contributors discuss the organizations for provision of science and technology advice to the highest levels of governments of some 35 countries, including major countries of the world and a selection of important smaller countries. Inclusion of some communist and developing countries adds piquancy. The papers comment on functioning of those organizations as well as describe their formal structure. Each author was asked to describe the science and technology advising organizations for the highest level of his or her country's government and comment on its effectiveness and how it influences policy formulation and action.