Introduction -- Origins of the G7 summit -- The summit meetings -- The players : members, potential members, and unofficial associates -- The G7 and G8 summit agenda -- The G7 and G8 system -- G7 and G8 relations with international organizations -- G7 and G8 relations with the business sector -- The role of civil society -- Evaluating the summits -- The G20 and its documentation -- Reform of the G7, G8 and G20 -- Documentation of the summits -- Documentation of ministerial fora, task forces, working groups and expert groups -- Other sources of information about the G7 and G8 system and the G20 -- Conclusion.