Canada's Aging Population attempts to raise social issues that will have to be debated in Canada as a result of the fact that our population is getting older. The main analytical approach McDaniel uses in this book is the structural, contextual approach which sees population aging issues as being influenced by social systems such as economic structure, attitudes toward dependency and productivity, stratification, and gender relations, among others. This leads the reader to believe that fundemental issues about the socieconomic situation of elderly Canadians would be debated in this book. This critical analysis does not fully materialize. Certainly, McDaniel does raise some important issues such as zero population growth, women and aging, and pension programmes but the critical analysis from a structural, contextual perspective is lacking. Thus, while this book may provide useful information to students, volunteers, and practitioners, it is unlikely that it will contribute to significant social change, in terms of research studies or policy formation, for elderly Canadians.

This study represents a significant contribution to the theoretical development of the social psychology of aging. The authors favor an interpretative approach to aging while emphasizing the features of the structural context. The theoretical challenge outlined in the book revolves around maintaining an equilibrium between the two points of view and examining the mechanisms that link the macro and the micro levels of society.

The introduction provides a clear overview of the theoretical questions which reflect the essence of this book. A group of articles examines the socio-historic and theoretic roots of the interpretative approach in the general development of human sciences theories as well as in the work of G.H. Mead and the pragmatic American trend. Another series of articles concentrates on the changes which have taken place in the modern western societies; the authors examine the impact created by this revolution on the relationship between the generations, on the life span and on the relationship between the aged and death. Other contributions are made at a more micro-social level. These focus on the support systems available to the elderly as well as the networks of friends. The last article underlines the importance of adopting a comparative approach for all theoretical development.

In A Will and a Way, Kane and Kane have once again demonstrated their ability to accumulate masses of data. This book offers a wealth of descriptive information on three long term care systems in Canada, as well as some of the features of these systems which may be appropriate for the United States (such as universal programs based on need, case management practices, panelling practices, and size of jurisdiction). Those interested in specific practical questions and/or figures on utilization will find this book a good resource. However, those interested in a broader discussion from a theoretically informed perspective or a good discussion of existing research in this area will be disappointed.