The World Bank is one of the most important and least understood major international institutions. The fully updated second edition of this book continues to provide the most concise, accessible and comprehensive overview of the World Bank's history, development, structure, functionality and activities. Updates for the new edition include: * Extensive updating of data and charts throughout * reflection on the changes over the past five years including the current reorganization of the Bank itself * a new section that describes the ongoing changes under the leadership of Jim Yong Kim. Illustrated throughout with a wide variety of case studies drawn from the Bank's international activities, this is an essential guide for all students.