The Methods and Materials of Demography

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Summary: All basic techniques in Demography - a bibile of demography
Review: An old edition. No recent developments in this book. However, a complete reference in basic demographic methods.

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Summary: REVIEW OF THE 2ND EDITION
Review: Another review displayed here refers to the 1st edition, which was published in 1976. This review covers the 2nd edition, which was published in March 2004. The 2nd Edition by J. Siegel and D. A. Swanson is hardbound and has around 850 pages. The price ($89.00) is unbelievably low for such a comprehensive and well-written book. It is filled with references and examples and provides updates on data sources while covering the many advances in methods and technology that have occurred since the publication of the first edition. This book can be used both in the classroom and by practitioners. Besides covering and updating everything that was in the 1st edition, it adds new chapters, appendices, and a cross-referenced comprehensive glossary. The 2nd edition by Siegel and Swanson is a worthy successor to the 1st edition by H. Shryock, J. Siegel, and E. Stockwell and is a mandatory book for anybody interested in demography.

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Summary: A new version of the "Bible" of Demography
Review: I remember the early days where I used to go through the old book "The Methods and Materials of Demography" while studying at the Cairo Demographic Center in the early 90s of last century. The new version is an innovative and invaluable addition to the fundamental books in the field. I highly recommend this book for all demographers worldwide.

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Summary: A REVIEW OF THE 2nd EDITION
Review: The other review displayed here for the Methods and Material of Demography refers to the 1st edition, published in 1976. This review covers the 2nd edition released in March 2004. The 2nd Edition by Siegel and Swanson is, indeed, the bible of demography. Filled with references and examples, it provides updates on data sources while covering the many advances in methods and technology that have occurred since the publication of the first edition. This book is well-crafted and can be used both in the classroom and by practictioners. Besides covering everything that was in the 1st edition, it adds new chapters and appendices (e.g., health demography and GIS) and provides an excellent cross-referenced glossary as well as a demography timeline. The 2nd edition is a worthy successor to the first edition and is a must-have book for anybody interested in demography.