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Summary: The Bible of Parliamentary Procedure
Review: An excellent reference book, but not designed as a tutorial. If you want to look up parliamentary procedure, RONR is the place. If you want to study it, keep this book by your side, but read something else.
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Summary: The real Robert's: the authority on parliamentary procedure
Review: As a lawyer, when I am asked about proper procedure at a meeting, my first question is: What rules do you use? Is there an applicable statute, or bylaws or rules that the organization has adopted? Nine times out of ten, the answer is: "Robert's Rules of Order." Robert's is the most widely used parliamentary manual in the United States.General Henry M. Robert published the original "Robert's Rules" in 1875 and 1876 and, since the copyright on that edition (and the next few editions) has long since expired, there are numerous unofficial editions on the market. The third edition, published in 1893, is still marketed in paperback by more than one publisher as the "original" Robert's Rules. With the copyright expired, even the name "Robert's" has passed into the public domain, and many imitators have slapped the name "Robert's" on books of parliamentary procedure that bear minimal relation to General Robert's work (much as many dictionaries claim the name "Webster's" without any connection to Noah Webster or the Merriam-Webster brand that carries on his work). This book is the real Robert's, composed by an editorial board appointed by General Robert's heirs (including his descendants Sarah and Henry III, both eminent parliamentarians). Now in its tenth edition, published in 2000, this book "supersedes all previous editions and is intended automatically become the parliamentary authority in organizations whose bylaws prescribe 'Robert's Rules of Order' . . . or the like, without specifying a particular edition." Robert's is not necessarily the best parliamentary manual on the market: "Modern Parliamentary Procedure" by Ray Keesey is far more logical and user-friendly, and "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" by Alice Sturgis (commissioned by the American Institute of Parliamentarians as a contemporary alternative to Robert's) is more readable and more rooted in modern practice. But no other book has gained as much as a toehold in Robert's dominance in the market. If you are interested in parliamentary procedure, or figuring out how most organizations work in the twenty-first-century United States, this Robert's is indispensable.
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Summary: Only current and COMPLETE guide to parliamentary procedure
Review: Do not be put off by the size of this book. It is large because it is complete. As you can see by the table of contents, everything is covered-- all the motions , how to write bylaws, boards and committees, conventions, forming new organizations, etc. Nevertheless, it is easy to read and you certainly do not need to read it cover to cover. Read the first 5 chapters (119 pages, ~ 1/5 of the book) straight through, then skim the rest so you know where to find the answers, and also look over the tables in the back. If you are in a big hurry, just read pages 21-78 (as recommended on the books web site: www.robertsrules.com) You need this book.
You need to learn what is in this book to be an effective member of any organization where members have the right to vote. Do you know how to get your idea considered by your organization? Do you know how to make a change to an idea that someone else had? Did you change your mind about what happened at the last meeting and want to rescind it? Well, its all in this book.
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Summary: Hey, it's Roberts Rules...not a Danielle Steel.
Review: Dry and straight to the point...yup this is a classic. You've got to have it if you run meetings, though. Parli pro never goes out of style.
Rating:
Summary: Totally comprehensive
Review: I first came into contact with this book during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. I was going to be participating in something called Student Congress in the fall, and although I had never heard of it before, all of my teachers and teamates told me to get a copy of Robert's Rules. Not knowing of any of the "watered down" versions that existed, I simply purchased the official copy. Having cut my teeth on that copy (dutifully reading the entire book that summer) I have little sympathy for people who shy away from it because it's too complicated :-) But honestly, this book has become a source of pride to me. Although I have been criticized for perhaps too zealously insisting on adhering to the rules in the book, I am also accepted as a Parliamentary expert and some have remarked I know more than the Parliamentarians who run our exercise (although I would be loathe to admit that, they are very intelligent people). Anyway, given a proper forum Robert's Rules of Order have been a very rewarding thing for me, as they have given me something to study and learn and be recognized at, and I intend on buying all future editions of the text to make sure I stay on top of any developments. Truly the best book of its kind!
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Summary: The latest Robert's Rules, but use something else!
Review: If you are involved with an organization that uses Robert's Rules, you'll need this book. However, it is still the overly large, cumbersome, and complex parliamentary work as ever. If you're smart, you'll get your organization to adopt one of the many alternatives out there, like The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure or Modern Parliamentary Procedure. Avoid all the varients of Robert's Rules, however.
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Summary: It's the Bible of Parlimentary Rules
Review: If you want to know how to do it or how to express it, this is THE book to have. I have had to refer to it almost daily during the last month due to various items in our chapter, state and National by-laws. The one statement that is found in all three sets of by-laws is, quote, "The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Society in all cases in which they are no inconsistent with the Bylaws of the National Society." That pretty much states it in a nutshell
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Summary: Misunderstood
Review: Many people will recommed other parliamentary authorities whose primary benefit is that of being shorter. Other authorities I've read ("21st Century Robert's Rules" and "Riddick's Rules of Procedure") are shorter because they've left out substantial parts, or don't include useful examples. Some other authorities, like Ray Keesey's "Modern Parliamentary Procedure" do not actually reflect current (or past) parliamentary practice, but attempt to redefine procedure based on the author's own bias. Robert's Rules are more obviously the result of centuries of practice, and use. This book will not get you up and running overnight, but it is indispensable to anyone with a desire for a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary law. And even though it is a more massive work, part of the extra material is instructive on shortening your meetings by acting more efficiently without abridging anyone's rights.
Rating:
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: Many people will recommed other parliamentary authorities whose primary benefit is that of being shorter. Other authorities I've read ("21st Century Robert's Rules" and "Riddick's Rules of Procedure") are shorter because they've left out substantial parts, or don't include useful examples. Some other authorities, like Ray Keesey's "Modern Parliamentary Procedure" do not actually reflect current (or past) parliamentary practice, but attempt to redefine procedure based on the author's own bias. Robert's Rules are more obviously the result of centuries of practice, and use. This book will not get you up and running overnight, but it is indispensable to anyone with a desire for a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary law. And even though it is a more massive work, part of the extra material is instructive on shortening your meetings by acting more efficiently without abridging anyone's rights.
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Summary: Will the real Robert's Rules please stand up?
Review: Melendez's earlier review "The real Robert's...", in reference to the 10th edition (ISBN 0738203076 or 073820384X) of "Robert's Rules of Order" (RROO) by does well to clarify that not all books with RROO in the title are authorized continuations. By cross-referencing many reviews of different books having similar titles, it seems Amazon may be leaving customers like myself confused about which books are bona fide editions of RROO, versus those that are restatements of early (now uncopyrighted) editions. In particular, "The Modern Edition" (ISBN 0840771843, 1557488843, 0425116905) by Dr. Patnode is a smallish yet well done, enhanced rewrite of early RROO. However, it is not the most recent edition or an authorized realization of RROO, and for this reason, may not be suitable for institutions requiring RROO as the official basis of its parliamentary proceedings. Since the official "newly revised" edition of 1970, authorized editions of RROO have maintained a "mirrored R" encircled by an "O": I now attempt to use this trademark to identify which editions are authoritative.
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