This research monograph examines presidential constitutional conventions and the role they play in the political systems of four Central European countries – the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. As primarily unwritten rules of constitutional practice, constitutional conventions represent political arrangements and as such are political in origin. Not only this, constitutional conventions, in general, and presidential constitutional conventions, in particular, have signi�cant political implications. They shape both the everyday operation and character of regimes. Central Europe represents a particularly useful example on which this role of constitutional conventions can be studied and assessed.

The definitive reference book on Ireland's cultural and religious heritage. Ireland has one of the finest cultural heritages and a standard reference book combining the related subjects of folklore, myth, legend and romance is long overdue. There are 350 substantial entries, in alphabetical order from Abán, a 6th-century saint, to Weather, all with full references to sources, a synopsis of relevant stories, and discussion of their origin, nature and development. These are complimented by a genre-list of material under various headings, such as Mythical Lore, Fianna Cycle, Ulster Cycle, King Cycles, Peoples and Traditions, Religious Lore, and Folk Custom and Belief. There is also a wealth of genealogical detail, indicating how historical and social circumstances have influenced the growth and spread of Irish lore. DAITHI O HOGAIN, Associate Professor of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin, was an international authority on folklore and traditional literature.

Timothy Dalton plays James Bond for the first time, leaving behind the high camp of the Roger Moore years for a relatively straight reading of the famous secret agent. The action this time sees Bond running around various exotic spots (Gibraltar, Afghanistan) in pursuit of a couple of seedy dealers in arms, drugs and diamonds. There is as much action and gadgetry as ever, but a slightly less tongue-in-cheek script keeps 007's romantic liaisons down to a minimum. Caroline Bliss makes her debut as Miss Moneypenny.

One of the works by Reville, a French Protestant theologian. After studying at Geneva and Strassburg, he became pastor at Lunerai near Dieppe, and of the Walloon Church at Rotterdam. In 1880 he was made professor of the history of religions in the College de France at Paris. Six years later he was appointed president of the section of religious studies in the ficole des hautes etudes at the Sorbonne. He is one of the leaders of the French school of advanced critical theology.