GROWING OLDER: What Young People Should Know About Aging

by John Langone ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1990

Concluding with ""I hope that this book will make you think a little bit more about aging, what it is and what it is not,"" Langone, in a conversational tone, considers a full range of topics--including the causes of aging, the most prevalent ailments associated with it, other problems in adapting, myths and stereotypes, and contrasting customs of other cultures (especially Oriental). He marshalls a good array of facts and theories, mostly from popular sources (nicely documented in chapter notes) and does a fairly good job of setting the subject in historical context. But his use of the second-person voice, frequent rhetorical questions, and overdirect instructions to be more understanding seem condescending; and the text is occasionally repetitious, not always well organized (a comment that the Abkhasians' reputed great age may not be well documented appears in a different, later chapter than a discussion of their remarkable feats late in life), and sometimes superficial (e.g., a four-page consideration of alcoholism). There's no great depth or insight here; still, a useful survey. Index.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 172

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S