Focusing on six professionsmedicine, pharmacology, law, accountancy, architecture, and structural engineeringBecher (education, U. of Sussex) argues that professionals' sense of commitment stems from a desire to enhance both their individual reputations and the status of their profession as a whole. Based primarily on interviews with people from each of the six fields, this book emphasizes that the professions are not homogeneous, and Becher highlights both the similarities and differences between and within these professional groupings. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)