Life expectancy has increased, but with age comes the risk of dementia. Dementia, however, is not a normal part of aging, and the majority of older people are spared it. But for the part of the population that will develop dementia, knowledge of the causes and prevention of memory loss is imperative. In eight chapters Breitung (independent scholar) discusses dementia and aging, reiterating that not all dementia is irreversible in the way that Alzheimer's disease and some other forms, e.g. Pick's disease, are. Four reversible types of dementia are attributable to malnutrition, dehydration, and, most importantly, depression (which is undertreated), and drug reactions. The book makes clear the importance of physical and mental examinations at an early stage. This is a practical, readable resource for clinicians, caregivers, and geriatric workers. It offers 42 pages of references organized by chapters. In addition to other books on aging, Breitung has written Understanding and Managing Dementia (2004), winner of a British Medical Association Award. For a more scholarly work on the same subject see Steve Zarit's Mental Disorders in Older Adults (2nd ed., 2007; 1st ed., CH, Feb'99, 36-3633). This will be a useful acquisition for public, college, and university libraries. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. T. M. Racz emerita, Eastern Michigan University