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Aging: A Natural History
Book Reviews clothbound pages, the book is surely a bargain. The selections are carefully chosen, balanced, respectful of the sacred and mysterious side ofaging, and humorous, yet tastefully recognizing the physical and psychological decline toward mortality. 1 he English historian Arnold Toynbee is quoted as saying, at the age of75: "It is important to care immensely about things that are going to happen after one is dead." rrhis work is a tribute to all those who have shared their perceptions of their own aging, and to all those who have observed the aging of others. A marvelous text for any "Humanities and Aging" class, this book also will be cherished on the bedside tables of all who provide care to aging patients, Of, indeed, to those who plan their own old age philosophically. }:;'ortunate are we in geriatrics and gerontology, that our colleagues are less likely to fear any stigma inhibiting them from making us a gift of this desirable collection. 1
Dr. Netscher is with tl,e Midcity Geriat.. ric Clinic, Mental Healtb and Men,tal Retardation. Authority of Harris County, HOllstOll, TX.
Aging: A Natural History By Robert E. Rickels, Ph.D., and Caleb E. Finch, PI1.D. New York, Scientific American Libra~ 1995,256 pages, ISBN 0-7167-5056-2, $32.95 Reviewed by Ba,"bara L. Brody, M.RR.
A
ging: A Natural History presents the
biology ofaging in a concise, sophisticated, yet very accessible manner. This very inviting book, presented in the style characteristic of Scientific Alnerican articles, is a boon to the continuing educa-
tion of gerontologists and the scientific educatiop of the public. When discussing the appropriate educational backgrounds for professionals in order to meet the needs of elderly people in the year 2000, Dr. James Birren advised that multidisciplinary teams of professionals are necessary but not sufficient; what is needecl are professionals who nO,t only master their own disciplines, but also have incorporated an understanding of their colleagues' fields. Aging: A Natural Histoly makes an important contribution toward the goal of a wicter understanding of the biologist's .contribution to gerontology. The authors, both biologists, have collaborate(. to present perspectives in biology that are not often linked, namely, ecology an,l neuroendocrine biology. As a result, their views on aging integrate theories and research about the biology ofhumans and various other mammals in different environments. The authors set out to respond to questions of interest about aging from a profeSSional, academic, social polic~ and personal vantage point-questions such as: f-Iow and why does aging take place? I-Iow extensive are the differences in aging across and within species? What are the roles ofheredity, environment, and evolution in aging? What are the implications for the human life span in the future? I-Iow does the understancling of evolution elucidate public policy choices about resource allocation and quality of life for the unprecedented growth in the elderly population we will have well into the next century? Aging: A Natural History answers these questions by examining the hows and whys ofaging. In eight very readable, well-illustrated chapters, the authors discuss patterns and theories of aging, genetic and evolutionary factors, the life span, and the relationship ofaging and reproduction. The book is based on an analysis of current research, yet includes clear definitions of the fundamentals of
THE AMERICAN JOURNAl.. OF GEIUATIUC PSYCHIATRY
183
Book Reviews modern biology; so that the arguments are accessible to a broad readership. The strengths and weaknesses of current theories are carefully presented, with a particularly useful synthesis in the last two chapters. These chapters address the future of human aging and the potential contribution of genetic engineering. They also illustrate how social policy issues can be informed by research on the biology of aging. This is a very useful book that I think deserves to be widely read by gerontolo-
gists of all disciplines as well as policymakers who address the needs of elderly populations. Bal'bal·a Brody is Associate Clinical Pro~ lessor, Fanlily and Preventive Medicine, and Director of the Shiley E:JJe Cerlter Macu.lar Degeneration EducationSupport Progran'l at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Scbool of Medicine, and Lectu1-er in Urban Studies and Planning at UCSD.
Coming Up In}l Future Issue Index of Affective Suffering: Linking a Classification of Depressed Mood to Impairment in Quality of Life Barry j. Gurland. M.D., Sidney Katz, M.D., jiming Chen, Ph.D.
Can the Sensitivity of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Be Increased? jeffrey A. Mattes, M.D.
184
VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 2 • SIIRlNG 1997
Dr. Netscher is with tl,e Midcity Geriat.. ric Clinic, Mental Healtb and Men,tal Retardation. Authority of Harris County, HOllstOll, TX.
Aging: A Natural History By Robert E. Rickels, Ph.D., and Caleb E. Finch, PI1.D. New York, Scientific American Libra~ 1995,256 pages, ISBN 0-7167-5056-2, $32.95 Reviewed by Ba,"bara L. Brody, M.RR.
A
ging: A Natural History presents the
biology ofaging in a concise, sophisticated, yet very accessible manner. This very inviting book, presented in the style characteristic of Scientific Alnerican articles, is a boon to the continuing educa-
tion of gerontologists and the scientific educatiop of the public. When discussing the appropriate educational backgrounds for professionals in order to meet the needs of elderly people in the year 2000, Dr. James Birren advised that multidisciplinary teams of professionals are necessary but not sufficient; what is needecl are professionals who nO,t only master their own disciplines, but also have incorporated an understanding of their colleagues' fields. Aging: A Natural Histoly makes an important contribution toward the goal of a wicter understanding of the biologist's .contribution to gerontology. The authors, both biologists, have collaborate(. to present perspectives in biology that are not often linked, namely, ecology an,l neuroendocrine biology. As a result, their views on aging integrate theories and research about the biology ofhumans and various other mammals in different environments. The authors set out to respond to questions of interest about aging from a profeSSional, academic, social polic~ and personal vantage point-questions such as: f-Iow and why does aging take place? I-Iow extensive are the differences in aging across and within species? What are the roles ofheredity, environment, and evolution in aging? What are the implications for the human life span in the future? I-Iow does the understancling of evolution elucidate public policy choices about resource allocation and quality of life for the unprecedented growth in the elderly population we will have well into the next century? Aging: A Natural History answers these questions by examining the hows and whys ofaging. In eight very readable, well-illustrated chapters, the authors discuss patterns and theories of aging, genetic and evolutionary factors, the life span, and the relationship ofaging and reproduction. The book is based on an analysis of current research, yet includes clear definitions of the fundamentals of
THE AMERICAN JOURNAl.. OF GEIUATIUC PSYCHIATRY
183
Book Reviews modern biology; so that the arguments are accessible to a broad readership. The strengths and weaknesses of current theories are carefully presented, with a particularly useful synthesis in the last two chapters. These chapters address the future of human aging and the potential contribution of genetic engineering. They also illustrate how social policy issues can be informed by research on the biology of aging. This is a very useful book that I think deserves to be widely read by gerontolo-
gists of all disciplines as well as policymakers who address the needs of elderly populations. Bal'bal·a Brody is Associate Clinical Pro~ lessor, Fanlily and Preventive Medicine, and Director of the Shiley E:JJe Cerlter Macu.lar Degeneration EducationSupport Progran'l at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Scbool of Medicine, and Lectu1-er in Urban Studies and Planning at UCSD.
Coming Up In}l Future Issue Index of Affective Suffering: Linking a Classification of Depressed Mood to Impairment in Quality of Life Barry j. Gurland. M.D., Sidney Katz, M.D., jiming Chen, Ph.D.
Can the Sensitivity of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Be Increased? jeffrey A. Mattes, M.D.
184
VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 2 • SIIRlNG 1997