Chris Phillipson is Professor of Sociology and Social Gerontology at the University of Manchester. He has published a number of general books in the field of ageing as well as a number of papers relating to inequality and social exclusion.

`This is an important and insightful book which covers profound issues relevant to everyone in the last gasp of the twentieth century. Its major strength is reviewing the ideas and issues about the place of older people in society' - John Vincent, University of ExeterIn this timely and authoritative overview on social gerontology and social theory, Chris Phillipson outlines the changing contexts and experiences associated with later life as we move into a new century. The book critically reviews the different theoretical explanations which attempt to explain these changes.Phillipson shows how in late modernity changes to pensions, employment and retirement, and intergenerational relations, are placing doubt on the meaning of growing old. He suggests that later life is being reconstructed as a period of potential choice on the one hand, but also of risk and danger on the other.

Introduction
The Crisis of Social Ageing
PART ONE: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES
The Development of Critical Gerontology
Constructing Old Age
Growing Old in a Postmodern World
PART TWO: SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL DIVISIONS
The Social Construction of Retirement
Financing Old Age
The Sociology of Generations
Conflict or Consensus?
PART THREE: NEW AGENDAS
Old Age
Sociological and Historical Perspectives
Reconstructing Old Age
Policy Options
Conclusion
Exclusion and Resistance in the Sociology of Ageing