Multnomah County is possibly Oregon's most unusual jurisdiction: it is the most populous county in the state and the smallest; and it is frequently the lightning rod for issues that reflect the state's urban-rural makeup. As this reference on its history and politics documents, the county has had its share of major successes and colossal failures. The authors detail the county's evolution and do not leave out the occasional scandal or the relatively frequent political jostling of its government. Lansing, an author and former county auditor, and Leeson, a freelance journalist and former newspaper reporter, provide a detailed yet colorful glimpse of the unusual county. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)