Each of the four volumes of this collection of previously published articles features a different central topic or pair of topics, with turn-taking and repair in v.1, sequence organization in v.2, turn design and action formation in v.3, and institutional interactions the subject of v.4. The editors, who provide an overview of conversation analysis in their introduction, have selected both classic, foundational articles, such as 'A simplest systematics for the organization of turn-taking for conversation', by Harvey Sacks, Emanuel A. Schegloff and Gail Jefferson (from 1974); and articles indicative of recent trends in a developing field. Eight of the twelve articles in v.1 are authored by Sacks, Schegloff, and/or Jefferson; their publications appear in volumes 2 and 3 as well. The articles of v.4 concern health care situations, press conferences, and television news, among other topics. Each article concludes with its original list of references and notes, when they existed. The volumes are not indexed. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)