This is an interesting and important book dealing with Western Australian politics in general but it also manages in depth treatment of various aspects of the political process. The book is divided into two parts: the first part deals with government, which includes the federal-state relationship, the parliamentary system. electoral politics, public administration, the role of the executive and the place of local government in Western Australia. The second part of this well-conceived book deals with party politics and the role, nature, organization and ideologies of the three major political parties. The occasion for publication was the 150th anniversary of the founding of Western Australia and this constitutes a scholarly contribution to mark the occasion. It is easy to agree with Sir Charles Court, the Western Australian Premier, when he writes in his foreword that ‘the collection is seen as a worthwhile contribution to the scholarly heritage of the State’.