Following an Introduction by editor Gerald A. Straka that posits various definitions of self-directed learning and discusses the views of the various authors in the text, this book consists of nine papers addressing issues and conceptions of self-directed learning in Europe. The following are included: "Self-Directed Learning in Continuing Education--A Report from Switzerland" (Christoph Metzger); "Self (-Directed) Learning in France" (Philippe Carre); "Self-Learning Activities in the French Community of Belgium" (Brigitte Denis); "Self-Directed Learning in the Netherlands" (Marcel R. van der Klink, Wim J. Nijhof); "Self-Directed Learning among Adults in the United Kingdom" (Keith Percy); "Self-Directed Learning in Portugal" (Maria Joao Malheiro Filgueiras); "Learning, Working and Social Practices: History and Future Trends in Italy" (Cristina Zucchermaglio); "Self-Directed Learning in Greece" (Nicholas Iliadis); and "Self-Directed Learning in Germany: From Instruction to Learning in the Process of Work" (Gerald A. Straka). (Each paper contains references.) (KC)