The original idea for a textbook in social gerontology arose during the 1980s and led to the first edition of Ageing in Society: An Introduction to Social Gerontology, in 1990. The book was seen as a comprehensive and accessible textbook bringing together leading experts from the fields of sociology, psychology and biology to provide a multi-disciplinary text designed to encourage a fuller understanding of the key features of ageing. Since its publication the book has been widely used by a number of courses and in 1992 a decision was taken to adopt the text as a set book for a new undergraduate level Open University course, An Ageing Society, launched in 1994.

Subsequently, it was agreed to substantially update and extend the text with particular attention paid to issues of diversity in later life and the influence of class, gender and ethnicity. Sheila Peace, a member of the Open University course team joined with John Bond and Peter Coleman as a third editor to oversee the revisions. The text continued to be influential, used by students throughout the UK including over 3000 OU students.

It was at the turn of the century that SAGE publications Ltd carried out a review of the book seeking views on how to develop the text now that the ageing of the developed world had been fully recognised. There was on-going support for a third edition but it was felt that the book should look to Europe and encompass the expertise of European gerontologists alongside their British counterparts. John Bond and Sheila Peace agreed to continue as editors and in 2002 set out to find European editors to join with them in creating an exciting new text. German and Dutch psychologists, Freya Dittmann-Kohli and Gerben Westerhoff from the University of Nijmegen agreed to become partners in this venture and the four editors spent time discussing how the two parts of the book should be developed.

It was decided that they would try to find British and European partners as authors for each chapter. The first five chapters set out to raise the issues for an ageing Europe and consider biological, psychological and social ageing as well as the methods used in research; they provide the bedrock of the book. The second part of the text – Chapters 6 to 13 allow authors the freedom to discuss issues more widely and here themes such as cognitive ageing, social protection, retirement, health and illness, environment, and cultural images of old age are critically examined. The book ends by looking forwards and raising key issues concerning – longevity and human ageing; ageing and global political economy; production and consumption; future roles for older people and the future of gerontology.

It has taken five years to produce the third edition of Ageing in Society which has the sub-clause ‘European Perspectives on Gerontology’. It is a new text for a new time and one which still fulfils the need for an authoritative introduction to social gerontology, exploring the key theories, concepts and methods which are truly multi-disciplinary.

Throughout its development all editions of this book have been sponsored by the British Society of Gerontology and supported by members of the publications committee. This is a book that captures European gerontological research for students and lecturers and is a major contribution from the BSG in discussing the future development of the ageing population.

Contents

Sheila Peace, Freya Dittmann-Kohli, Gerben J Westerhoof and John Bond: ‘The Ageing World’

Rudi GJ Westendrop and Thomas BL Kirkwood: ‘The Biology of Ageing’

Alfons Marcoen, Ptere G Coelman and Ann O’Hanlon: ‘Psychological Ageing’

Chris Phillipson and Jan Baars: ‘Social Theory and Social Ageing’

Christina Victor, Gerben J Westerhof and John Bond: ‘Researching Ageing’

John Bond and Gregorio Rodriguez Cabrero: ‘Health and Dependency in Later Life’

Gerhard Naegele and Alan Walker: ‘Social Protections: Incomes, Poverty and the Reform of the Pension Systems’

Harald Knemund and Franz Kolland: ‘Work and Retirement’

Janet Askham , Dieter Ferring and Giovanni Lamura: ‘Personal Relationships in Later Life’

Sheila Peace, Hans-Werner Wahl, Heidrun Mollenkopf and Frank Oswald: ‘Environment and Ageing’

Gerben J Westerhoff and Emmanuelle Tulle: ‘Meanings of Ageing and Old Age: Discursive Contexts, Social Attitudes and Personal Identities’

Ralf TH. Krampe and Lynn McInnes: ‘Competence and Cognition’

Freya Dittmann-Kohli and Daniela Jopp: ‘Self and Life Management: Wholesome Knowledge for the Third Age’

John Bond, Freya Dittmann-Kohli, Gerben J Westerhoff and Sheila Peace: ‘Ageing into the Future’

To date it has received the following reviews:

‘Ageing in Society brings forth exciting new questions, fresh perspectives, and a necessary critical approach to key issues – this is indeed an authoritative introduction. The authors not only have made significant contributions to gerontology, but offer the reader considerations for what could be, not just what is, the design of old age in society’

Jaber Gubrium, Editor of Journal of Aging Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia

‘The Third Edition of the comprehensive textbook Ageing in Society extends its scope to include continental Europe , allowing broader as well as deeper insights into recent trends in gerontology. Gerontologists and practitioners are urged not to stop reading before they have reached the insightful last chapter “ageing into the future”!’

Professor Dorly Deeg, Editor-in-chef of European Journal of Ageing, VU University Medical Centre.