Signed into law in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures public access to government documents, with the exception of nine categories of documents. Martin (communication, U. of Maine) explores the developments that led to the law's enactment and the resulting discoveries in government repositories in recent decades. The text examines the government's historical responsibilities for the management of public information and the news media's interests in access to that store of documents; the wealth of information that dozens of government agencies gather, store, and manage since the formalized reporting system of the FOIA legislation; and the ways in which FOIA advocates assess the application of the law, celebrate their access success, and work toward expanding those opportunities. Martin also assesses the sustainability of the FOIA in an increasing climate of information terrorism and heightened security concerns. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)