Steinberg (economics, philanthropic studies and public affairs, Indiana U., Purdue U.) presents a collection of some of the most important articles on the economics of nonprofit organizations, previously published between 1981 and 2001. Twenty-eight essays, reproduced in their original form, are organized into seven sections--a survey of earlier literature, general considerations, nonprofits as providers of public goods, nonprofits and asymmetric information, the behavior of nonprofit organizations, comparing nonprofit and for-profit behavior, and public policy. The collection is preceded by an introductory essay by Steinberg in which he discusses how the literature on nonprofit organizations developed in three waves--asserting the objective functions, the role of nonprofits, and integrated models; intersectoral comparisons of performance; and public policy toward the nonprofit sector. Indexed by name only. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)