The Derivation of VO and OV

The Derivation of VO and OV takes a new look at the relationship between head-final or OV structures and head-initial or VO ones, in light of recent work by Richard Kayne and others. The various papers in the volume take different positions with respect to whether one type of structure is derived from the other, and if so, which of the two orders is primary.
Different options explored include derivation of VO order by head movement from a basic OV structure, derivation of VO by fronting of a phrasal VP remnant containing only the verb, derivation of OV by fronting of a remnant VP which the verb has vacated, and others.
Each paper is thoroughly rooted in empirical observations about specific constructions drawn either from the Germanic languages or from others including Finnish, Hungarian, Japanese, and Malagasy.
The volume consists of eleven original papers by Sjef Barbiers, Michael Brody, Naoki Fukui & Yuji Takano, Liliane Haegeman, Hubert Haider, Roland Hinterhölzl, Anders Holmberg, Thorbjorg Hróarsdóttir, Matthew Pearson, Peter Svenonius, and Knut Tarald Taraldsen, plus an introduction by the editor.

Molly Diessing, Cornell University in Journal of Comparative Germanic Linguistics 4: 225-241, 2002:
This book provides a valuable overview of recent work on basic word order differences between VO and OV languages and the various kinds of explanations brought to bear on the issues raised. The reader will find a variety of approaches, not all consistent with each other (but that only makes things more interesting!), and a wealth of fascinating data as well.