INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, VOL 10: 422 (1995)

BOOK REVIEWS

Understanding Ageing: Images, Attitudes and Professional Practice SIMON BIGGS Open University Press, 1993. No. of pages: 195. Price: E13.99.

This erudite book is full of refreshing ideas about old age drawn from a very wide literature; primarily from socio- logical and psychodynamic theory. It is written for an academic readership in these fields so its language is really impenetrable. This is regrettable because there are con- nections made and new light shed on quite crucial issues such as the impact that the realisation of one’s own death has on life.

The main issue addressed is communication and under- standing between generations: between professionals

The Principles and Practice of Geriatric Psychiatry edited by J. COPELAND, M. ABOU-SALEH and D. G. BLAZER. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK. Price E125.00 No. of pages 1288.

Multi-author, multinational textbooks are sometimes like libraries, packed with information on a wide variety of topics but subject to the whim of the librarian. From theories of aging to mental illness in other cultures, per- sonality disorders to dementia, this book has something to say on nearly everything in the Geriatric Psychiatry world. Style and quality vary although the editors have managed to construct a frame work on which each subject is built and a multitude of figures enhance the text. The style of short chapters with specialist articles within does not make demands on concentration, rather it invites further investigation and the generous citation sections at least guide readers in their future enquiries.

working with old people and old people themselves. The book avoids any sentimentality and generally takes the view that the worlds are so different that real communi- cation is unlikely. It concludes however that there is value for workers and staff in trying to overcome the barriers.

Given current trends, the author suggests that collab- oration may occur in the sense of joint action in defence of services. As he says ‘interdependence would become a strategy for survival as well as a route to mutual understanding’.

MARY MARSHALL University of Stirling, Scotland

A library depends on its catalogue and a textbook its index. Errors and omissions can render both mildly frus- trating as is the case with this book. A thorough revision of the index would benefit any subsequent editions and then perhaps ‘ubiquitin’ would cease to be nusquamitin.

There are some gems to be found. The section on alcohol abuse is consuming and well planned as is suicidal behaviour. The case for electro-convulsive therapy is comprehensively put by one of its devotees, and the chap- ter on delirium is notable for its clarity. Finally, at a time when some question the place of doctors in old age psy- chiatry it is good to see the case for the physician in assessment so well put.

The book is enjoyable to dip into and a little time spent browsing will be rewarded.

HARRY ALLEN North Manchester General Hospital

0 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.