This compendium of 44 articles written by leading authorities provides an in-depth and instructive overview of CD ROM (Compact Disk--Read Only Memory) for both the professional and the newcomer to the field. Three articles serve as an introduction to the book: (1) "As We May Think," Vannevar Bush; (2) "Finally It Works--Now It Must 'Play in Peoria,'" David C. Miller; and (3) "CD ROM and Videodisc: Lessons to Be Learned," Rockley L. Miller. The next section provides an overview of CD ROM technology via articles on the hardware, system software, and retrieval software. The third section focuses on production techniques, including data preparation, data indexing, image capture and processing, and compressing and digitizing images. Section 4 considers the elements of design as it relates to the human factor, authoring and development, and project management. CD ROM publishing is discussed in Section 5, and the applications described in Section 6 include market considerations, CD ROM in libraries, medical and legal applications, geographic applications, and archive and research applications. Additional resources listed in Section 7 include persons who contributed to the book either by writing an article or by answering questions and giving advice, and companies and individuals contacted during the compilation of the book. An index is provided. (DJR)