Main description:
Edited by James Birren, one of the world's leading researchers in gerontology, this two-volume work is the most comprehensive work on age, aging, and the aged available. This entirely new encyclopedia covers the latest research on the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging in addition to covering how aging is depicted in the humanities. This dynamic field has grown over the years to encompass fascinating studies of development and change with age. This encyclopedia provides a reference source for identifying major areas of investigation and our knowledge to date. Prepared for a college- and professional-level readership, each article provides depth and breadth of coverage, including theory and summaries of empirical findings. Every article contains a definition paragraph, describing the subject at hand, a glossary of unfamiliar terms, and a bibliography of suggested readings. The set is fully cross-referenced and contains a complete subject index.
Biology--molecular and cellular aging; physiology and neurobiology of aging
Psychology--how aging affects sensation, perception, learning, and memory
Social sciences--home care, quality of life, economics of an aging population
Health science--epidemiology, mental health, Alzheimers, AIDS
Humanities--characterization of aging in research, literature, and film; perceptions of the aged
Review quote:
"This two-volume compendium about the biology, sociology, psychology and medicine of ageing is one of only a few texts that have succeeded in gathering gerontology under one roof. The editor has harnessed the intellectual resources of nearly 200 authors to produce a contemporary view of ageing. It is, for the most part, representative of world thinking on the subject."
--MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
"This work has been edited by the distinguished gerontologist Birren...An international editorial group of five distinguished scholars on gerontology decided the content and identified prospective writers for the input on the emerging topics within the scope of gerontology...A comprehensive index, a few appropriate illustrations, and many tables add to the overall excellence and usefulness of the work. This encyclopedia will prove an authoritative reference source for all libraries serving students or professionals in the many disciplines that bear upon gerontology."
--AMERICAN REFERENCE BOOKS ANNUAL
"Imagine that the Encyclopedia Britannica were written only about geriatrics and gerontology, and you have this stupendous work. Where else can you find major review articles of the respiratory system in old age next to a review of retirement? All contributors are leading experts in the field. That provides a breadth, depth, and organization that can make this handsome set a must for every medical library."
--DAVID O. STAATS, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, in DOODY'S REVIEW SERVICE
"A comprehensive source that offers a multidisciplinary overview of all aspects of aging...an excellent source for health sciences and social sciences collections in academic and large public libraries."
--BOOKLIST/REFERENCE BOOKS BULLETIN
"[the editors] have created a masterpiece for gerontology in this two-volume encyclopedia. Internationally known gerontologists... have collected the whole subject of gerontology into 150 up-to-date articles. An opus that shines with scientific competence, subtlety, and actuality... this encyclopedia should not be missing in any gerontologic or gerontologically oriented institute, nor in any geriatric hospital. "
--GERIATRIC RESEARCH
"Author does an excellent job of grasping the literature... and provides a very solid summary and implications section. The conceptual 'tie-together of such an amorphous topic is a daunting task. The author should be applauded in doing so in very understandable and engaging terms."
--M. TEAGUE, University of Iowa, Iowa City
"Astute. Informative. Excellent perspective on gerontology's own limitations. A first-rate entry...It has something to offer experienced gerontologists as well as newcomers and students. You will have a terrific encyclopedia if all the entries are up to this one."
--ROBERT KASTENBAUM, Arizona State University, Tempe
"The combination of a very clear writing style with this effective means of organizing a very large literature makes for a very readable and complete overview of the field of attention and aging...This is an exceptionally well-organized and well-written summary of the current state of knowledge of the field of aging and attention. It should serve as an excellent entry point into this literature. I look forward to seeing it in print."
--TOM PIERCE, Radford University, Virginia
"Well written and accurate. I thought it was an excellent discussion of the problems of aging and autonomic function. Well-organized, concise, and interesting."
--ARTHUR LOEWY, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
"An excellent presentation on all accounts! Well organized, clearly and concisely presented."
--BERNADETTE MARRIOTT, Director, Office of Dietary Supplements Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
"Very thorough. It is a pleasure to read. This is an outstanding article. Very clear. Well-written. Exceptional use of examples--all points are spelled out. Tables and references are helpful. This paper is top-notch."
--CAROLE MACKLIN, University of Cincinnati, Ohio
"Extremely well-organized and presented and covers a breadth of material in a most competent fashion...An impressive array of both academic and applied information."
--BRIAN DE VRIES, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
"This is an outstanding manuscript that is well written, factual and should be of interest to readers."
--RON WHISLER, Ohio State University, Columbus
"A thorough, very informative and well-written article. It covers the field of memory in an engaging way. I have been involved in research and teaching in gerontology for a number of years and I have never read a more straightforward and concise summary of the research on memory than this article."
--SILVIA CANETTO, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
"Clearly and succinctly executed from a vast body of material. I don't know how it could be done more neatly. A fine example of clarity and brevity."
--VICTOR ESTEVEZ, University of Missouri, Columbia
Edited by James Birren, one of the world's leading researchers in gerontology, this two-volume work is the most comprehensive work on age, aging, and the aged available. This entirely new encyclopedia covers the latest research on the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging in addition to covering how aging is depicted in the humanities. This dynamic field has grown over the years to encompass fascinating studies of development and change with age. This encyclopedia provides a reference source for identifying major areas of investigation and our knowledge to date. Prepared for a college- and professional-level readership, each article provides depth and breadth of coverage, including theory and summaries of empirical findings. Every article contains a definition paragraph, describing the subject at hand, a glossary of unfamiliar terms, and a bibliography of suggested readings. The set is fully cross-referenced and contains a complete subject index.
Biology--molecular and cellular aging; physiology and neurobiology of aging
Psychology--how aging affects sensation, perception, learning, and memory
Social sciences--home care, quality of life, economics of an aging population
Health science--epidemiology, mental health, Alzheimers, AIDS
Humanities--characterization of aging in research, literature, and film; perceptions of the aged
Review quote:
"This two-volume compendium about the biology, sociology, psychology and medicine of ageing is one of only a few texts that have succeeded in gathering gerontology under one roof. The editor has harnessed the intellectual resources of nearly 200 authors to produce a contemporary view of ageing. It is, for the most part, representative of world thinking on the subject."
--MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
"This work has been edited by the distinguished gerontologist Birren...An international editorial group of five distinguished scholars on gerontology decided the content and identified prospective writers for the input on the emerging topics within the scope of gerontology...A comprehensive index, a few appropriate illustrations, and many tables add to the overall excellence and usefulness of the work. This encyclopedia will prove an authoritative reference source for all libraries serving students or professionals in the many disciplines that bear upon gerontology."
--AMERICAN REFERENCE BOOKS ANNUAL
"Imagine that the Encyclopedia Britannica were written only about geriatrics and gerontology, and you have this stupendous work. Where else can you find major review articles of the respiratory system in old age next to a review of retirement? All contributors are leading experts in the field. That provides a breadth, depth, and organization that can make this handsome set a must for every medical library."
--DAVID O. STAATS, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, in DOODY'S REVIEW SERVICE
"A comprehensive source that offers a multidisciplinary overview of all aspects of aging...an excellent source for health sciences and social sciences collections in academic and large public libraries."
--BOOKLIST/REFERENCE BOOKS BULLETIN
"[the editors] have created a masterpiece for gerontology in this two-volume encyclopedia. Internationally known gerontologists... have collected the whole subject of gerontology into 150 up-to-date articles. An opus that shines with scientific competence, subtlety, and actuality... this encyclopedia should not be missing in any gerontologic or gerontologically oriented institute, nor in any geriatric hospital. "
--GERIATRIC RESEARCH
"Author does an excellent job of grasping the literature... and provides a very solid summary and implications section. The conceptual 'tie-together of such an amorphous topic is a daunting task. The author should be applauded in doing so in very understandable and engaging terms."
--M. TEAGUE, University of Iowa, Iowa City
"Astute. Informative. Excellent perspective on gerontology's own limitations. A first-rate entry...It has something to offer experienced gerontologists as well as newcomers and students. You will have a terrific encyclopedia if all the entries are up to this one."
--ROBERT KASTENBAUM, Arizona State University, Tempe
"The combination of a very clear writing style with this effective means of organizing a very large literature makes for a very readable and complete overview of the field of attention and aging...This is an exceptionally well-organized and well-written summary of the current state of knowledge of the field of aging and attention. It should serve as an excellent entry point into this literature. I look forward to seeing it in print."
--TOM PIERCE, Radford University, Virginia
"Well written and accurate. I thought it was an excellent discussion of the problems of aging and autonomic function. Well-organized, concise, and interesting."
--ARTHUR LOEWY, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
"An excellent presentation on all accounts! Well organized, clearly and concisely presented."
--BERNADETTE MARRIOTT, Director, Office of Dietary Supplements Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
"Very thorough. It is a pleasure to read. This is an outstanding article. Very clear. Well-written. Exceptional use of examples--all points are spelled out. Tables and references are helpful. This paper is top-notch."
--CAROLE MACKLIN, University of Cincinnati, Ohio
"Extremely well-organized and presented and covers a breadth of material in a most competent fashion...An impressive array of both academic and applied information."
--BRIAN DE VRIES, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
"This is an outstanding manuscript that is well written, factual and should be of interest to readers."
--RON WHISLER, Ohio State University, Columbus
"A thorough, very informative and well-written article. It covers the field of memory in an engaging way. I have been involved in research and teaching in gerontology for a number of years and I have never read a more straightforward and concise summary of the research on memory than this article."
--SILVIA CANETTO, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
"Clearly and succinctly executed from a vast body of material. I don't know how it could be done more neatly. A fine example of clarity and brevity."
--VICTOR ESTEVEZ, University of Missouri, Columbia