For those concerned with contemporary social problems, whether as students, members of community groups, or individual citizens, this book attempts not only to describe the issues, but also to offer some starting points for local research and action. As an educational tool, it is based on the belief that a good way to learn about a community is to get involved with it. It can be used in some form at every educational level. Each of the eleven chapters has four parts: 1) Indictment to briefly describe the problem; 2) Readings to serve as evidence drawn from different sources; 3) Community Research and Action; and, 4) Alternatives to show efforts of people to create new institutions to answer the problems raised by the old. The core material lies in the research and action sections; the research questions can be used to decide whether the conditions described in the indictments and readings exist in your community. For example, one of the activities included in the chapter on food costs and quality consists of a "Food Market Survey". A chart is provided on which one can compare prices on individual items in low- and middle-income markets, and food co-ops. Some of the other issues covered are: selling practices and credit abuse, experiencing the welfare system, condition of American housing, the police, the draft, and the environment. (Author/JLB)