Reviewed by Kathie Cooper University of Wollongong

These volumes are a collection of readings with a differ-ence, which should prove useful to accounting historians, stu-dents of accounting history and any person contemplating writ-ing in the area of accounting history. One reason for this is that the selected readings contain a wide and varied range of inter-esting and useful material not drawn solely from accounting history literature but also from other disciplines. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the text is that the articles and com-mentary preceding each of them are structured in such a way as to illustrate one view of how accounting has shaped and been shaped by its environment. Even if the reader does not agree with all of the views expressed, this eclectic approach is useful to aspiring accounting history authors. It is not simply a reitera-tion of historical writings which really adds little to the existing literature. Rather, it is an analysis and interpretation of historical events drawn from the existing literature and incorporates new, if radical, ideas. In this context, it demonstrates that history can be used to explain the current state of accounting rather than for the sake of historical interest alone.

The purpose of the text is to demonstrate that accounting is a highly complex and inter-related social system comprising functional and organizational systems which interact with other organizational systems, for example, business and government. As a consequence, this study of the historical development of accounting is undertaken in a systems context with a view to suggesting an answer to one crucial question posed by Lee in the Introduction to volume 1:

. . . why a socially-valued and financially well-rewarded profession such as accounting should have, and be content to have, a relatively static body of knowledge in which major problems are investigated but not resolved; alternative theories remain theories; and research is desired but its findings are largely ignored [Introduction and Explanation, no pagination].

An explanation is sought in the notion of systems closure and, in particular, Robb’s concept of supra-human, autopoietic systems [vol. 2, pp. 245-246]. In systems of this nature, instead of managing a system, humans become part of a system which has its own life and is self-managed. However, in its bid to change, adjust or adapt to its environment, the system reaches the point of chaos and becomes autopoietic. All sight of what the system is trying to achieve is lost and self-preservation becomes the overriding objective. Lee’s conclusion is that accounting may have reached this point [vol. 2, p. 246].

Each of the articles or “Recommended Readings” is pre-ceded by commentary by Lee in which the theme or explanation being sought in the readings is identified. Many of the articles are followed by an additional annotated bibliography. Each of these features should prove useful to accounting history students and other interested readers.

A primary strength of this text is that it adopts a multi-disciplinary approach. There is a strong sociological theme which is often implied in the articles but not specifically stated.

Lee’s commentary provides the sociological overview where necessary, thus making the text attractive to a wide range of readers.

For those who are simply interested in accounting history, a substantial proportion of the text is devoted to the development of the occupation of accountant through to Professionalization. Even here, however, the “Recommended Readings” have been selected to demonstrate how accounting, through the ages, has been an open social system subject to closure and how it has changed or remained static and the mechanisms of change [vol. 1, p. 219; vol. 2, p. 167].

In summary, even if readers do not agree with all of the views expressed and the conclusions reached in this text, it should, for the reasons given previously, be seen as a worthwhile contribution to accounting history literature. As a bonus, the new areas explored in this text may open the way for further debate and improvement in accounting.