The book covers every aspect of the mutual fund industry, including industry history; industry structure; investment management; portfolio operations; accounting; audit; legal compliance; customer service; distribution; globalization; and e-commerce. It presents the material in an easy-to-understand, objective, logical manner, making it an ideal educational tool. This book does not advise readers on how to select mutual funds. Instead, it explains how mutual funds and the mutual fund industry work. In so doing, the author describes the cost of various mutual fund operations - both to the fund companies and to the investors. In addition, the book does a good job of presenting both sides of controversial topics, such as the fees fund charge investors; disclosure requirements; and responsibilities of fund directors. The book is an ideal learning tool and reference to the mutual fund industry.