The contributions in this book are even richer than those in the earlier volume. One difficulty, however, is that all of the contributors are men; hence an element of balance is missing. A number of observations recur throughout the collection, such as the importance of the issue of death, the treatability of older patients, and the effects of one's culture on attitudes toward old age. Diminished self-esteem is an issue raised often by the authors.

Louis Gottschalk, in his chapter, “On Aging,” notes that he believes his cognitive functioning and energy are much the same as earlier in his life, but he observes that his capacity for denial borders on the psychopathological. When he breaks through his denial, he recognizes the transient nature of his existence. He notes