Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Addresses Glossary of Meanings Preface Acknowledgements 1 The Challenge to Change 2 Normal Error 3 Professional Realities 4 The Transfer of Reality 5 All Power Deceives 6 Learning to Learn 7 What Works and Why 8 Poor People's Realities: Local, Complex, Diverse, Dynamic and Unpredictable 9 The New High Ground 10 Putting the First Last Postscript: Past and Future PRA Contacts and Sources Notes References Index

Promotional Information

'A gem ... Chambers' analysis of events and attitudes is a sobering challenge to all professionals in development work.' Journal for Farming Systems Research-Extension 'Plenty of good quotes to liven up your next development discussion. ... Gives much food for thought, stimulating us to think not only about abstract institutional change but to start with change in ourselves.' ILEIA Newsletter 'Uncomfortable, sometimes funny, but essential reading.' New Scientist

About the Author

Professor Robert Chambers is a research associate of the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK, which has been his base since 1969 with periods in other countries. His educational background is in natural sciences, history and public administration. His main administrative and research experience in development has been in East Africa and South Asia. He is widely recognized as one of the main driving forces behind the great surge of interest in the use of Participatory Rural Appraisal around the world. He has been a Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies since 1972 and is an author, co editor and contributor of many books.