Washington, D.C. – Watchdogs and Whistleblowers: A Reference Guide to Consumer Activism, just published by Greenwood Press, is edited by two of the most knowledgeable authorities on the consumer movement – Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of America and Robert N. Mayer, Professor of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah.  The 569-page encyclopedia contains over 140 contributions from 100 authors, many of whom are well-known advocates themselves.

“Watchdogs and Whistleblowers represents a unique source of information about dozens of consumer organizations, hundreds of consumer advocates, and activism on dozens of consumer issues,” noted Brobeck.  The book’s contents, foreword, preface, and list of entries are included in the attached document.

An excerpt of the book is available here.

The reference book also includes essays on U.S. and international consumer activism, a timeline of U.S. activism, a select bibliography, and a foreword by Jim Guest, past President of Consumer Reports.  Guest noted that “the passionate and influential work of consumer activists in the United States and abroad has been recorded and analyzed brilliantly in this new reference work.”

“With over 140 entries, Watchdogs and Whistleblowers also represents a unique source of information on consumer activism outside the United States – in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America,” said Mayer.

In addition to being a valuable academic resource, Watchdogs and Whistleblowers provides the media with the historical context needed to report on today’s consumer issues.  As a historical overview, the encyclopedia provides the background for the amazing transformation of the American marketplace and lays the groundwork for future advocacy.

Mayer is the author of The Consumer Movement: Guardians of the Marketplace, co-author of Financial Justice: The People’s Campaign to Stop Lender Abuse, and co-edited the Encyclopedia of the Consumer Movement.  Brobeck also co-edited the Encyclopedia of the Consumer Movement and is the author of The Modern Consumer Movement: Reference and Resources, among numerous other publications.

Watchdogs and Whistleblowers is available online at www.abc-clio.com or Amazon.com; by phone at 800-368-6868 (press 3); by fax at 866-270-3856; and by email at CustomerService@abc-clio.com.

Contact: Jack Gillis, 202-737-0766