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J. Mayone Styces et al Clinics Contraception and Communication: Evaluation Studies of Family Planning Programs in Four Latin American Countries New York 1973 consists of 5 studies which offer useful evaluation of family planning programs in Mexico Honduras the Dominican Republic and Colombia. 3 study experimental radio campaigns and 2 examine the clinic drop-out problem. The 2 studies conducted in Mexico on the latter problem although not generally comparable contribute to an area of inquiry that has received very little attention. If family planning programs are to be effective at all women must be retained in the program for considerable lengths of time. To do that these studies show it will be necessary for family planning programs to reduce waiting time increase the quality of service adopt effective and efficient follow-up procedures and introduce self-evaluation procedures to spot their own strengths and weaknesses in recruiting serving and retaining clients. The remaining 3 reports describe mass media campaigns carried out in Honduras Colombia and the Dominican Republic. One of them conducted in Colombia compared the relative effectiveness of home visits distribution of pamphlets and radio. It found that impersonal communication can increase awareness and provide information but cannot be expected to trigger contraceptive action. The other 2 studies corroborate this conclusion in the reviewers opinion. Thus radio is a contributory condition that in certain circumstances can stimulate enough interest to move women to seek advice from friends relatives and trusted associates but is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition to result in action.