Book excerpt: Emphasizing practical considerations in designing and carrying out primary health care programs, this is a superb introductory text for public health students. It will be of particular interest to those working with rural populations in developing countries with limited resources. Part I covers policy issues and the conceptual framework for planning, management and evaluation. Part II reviews essential methods for effective implementation, considering the economic, political, epidemiologic, demographic and other components that contribute to the assessment of health needs and resource allocation. Part III discusses specific tools and techniques in program management related to decision analysis, network analysis, survey techniques, cost-effectiveness appraisal, and much more. Comprehensive and informative, this highly practical work is the result of many years of experience in teaching and working with health care planners from around the world.