The strength of book lies in the editors' attempt to establish a structure for future analysis. They clearly demonstrate that the phenomena of migration occurs in varying forms and that traditional anthropological models are not sufficient to account for the dynamics or nature of transnational migration. The papers demonstrate a range of thematic diversity on these topics. The collection of papers are coherent (as is often not the case in collective proceedings), suggesting that the planning and organization of the conference was thorough and maintained the theme of a systemic analysis of migration. Too often researchers band together to create a body research, but (unfortunately) neither cover the topic sufficiently nor attack it in as coordinated a manner as this book has.
The authors state from the onset that their goal is to cover three themes: propose a transnational perspective on migration, discuss the ways in which the identity of the new transnational subject is currently being constructed, and the challenge posed between arenas of "nationalism" and "transnational populations." These were the very themes established for the conference. What the editors did was to include a synopsis of the conference discussion thus providing a critique of the topic and a variety of ideas for the reader to then carry forward.
In summary, the topic is real, the framework for analytical analysis is parsimonious, the studies diverse, and the discussions intellectually stimulating although the critical reader may dislike the lack of a subject index. Lastly, transnational issues will surely increase in the next century and I think this book establishes an excellent framework for the continued development of this topic.