Although "Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised "serves with distinction as the parliamentary authority, it too often seems intimidating and confusing to those who must use it. In this book, Jon L. Ericson seeks to clarify, not simplify, "Robert s Rules. "He stresses that members of an organization must discover that they are not controlled by, but have a choice ofand may, in fact, even modifythe rules by which they are bound.Ericson begins with the Order of Precedence, which he defines as the key concept in understanding and utilizing parliamentary procedure. He then uses a question-and-answer format in which a logical progression of essential parliamentary questions is explicitly answered, with a rationale for each rule. Throughout, he provides specific page references to "Robert. "Through these three elements, he makes classic doctrine intelligible and workable, leading the reader step-by-step through the rules and their applications and, in the process, reducing or removing the negative attitude held by many toward parliamentary procedure."