When deciding on which book of the many available to buy regarding the music industry there are two overriding factors to take into account. These are whether the book up to date and if it covers the appropriate territory. Most books you will find on the subject tend to refer to the industry in the USA, and any that have been published prior to 2002 will not have adequate reference to new media issues. The second edition of this classic work by Ann Harrison achieves the goals of not only being UK specific but also being more up to date than most books in print with regard to new methods of distribution i.e. the Internet. Whether you are a musician, songwriter, manager, label owner, lawyer, accountant or any other of the vast roles this business encompasses, you will be able to interpret the information from your perspective. It is expertly written and Ann Harrison is in a better position to offer advice than most, having been the lawyer for some of the biggest names in the industry. The hardcover second edition is actually cheaper than the paperback first edition and is fully revised and updated for the post-Napster era. It covers all major aspects including types of record deal, management deals, publishing deals, manufacture, distribution, marketing, merchandising, touring, royalties, copyright, sample clearance, piracy, licensing, collection societies such as the PRS and MCPS, plus much more. All chapters have clearly summarised conclusions and there is a list of useful contacts included. If you need to know about the workings of the music industry in the UK, this second edition is peerless and should be at the very top of your book list.