Scientists produce much quantitative research hoping to improve people's decisions by changing their minds, that is by influencing their beliefs about what is true or false. However, research indicates that it is more important to change their hearts, that is to influence their values about what is important or trivial. Qualitative research changes hearts more effectively than does quantitative research because qualitative research tends to attract and to inspire larger audiences and because it can more easily communicate practical examples. Some possible uses of qualitative research for policy decisions in gerontology are discussed.

This is two books in one. The six first chapters deal with elders as criminals, the last six with elders as victims of crimes. Each part is written as a whole and seems to have been written by only one author. The visual as well as the intellectual presentation differs from one part to the other. While the first part stresses a more psychological approach, the second one is definitely written from a sociological point of view. The first part is not up to par with the last one. It is much less critical and relies more on American data which are sometimes contradicted by the recent Canadian data, as is the case with respect to elder poverty. The authors agree that the whole problem of crime and victimization of the elderly may be one which was artificially created by gerontologist and other professional interests. They argue that insisting on the pseudo problems of crime and victimization of the elderly may serve the intersts of some professionals while leaving unaddressed, and perhaps even mystified, the more basic issues that confront the elderly within the contest of contemporary generational arrangements.

The book is a vigorous analysis for the defense of the several programs constiting the American Welfare State. It certainly represents one of the strongest and most meaningful counter critic of the conservative critics of social programs during the last 15 years. The book belongs to an ongoing political analysis current which stresses that, for a nation, in order to compete within the new world economic order, public policies have to be extensively developed and supported, especially in the field of manpower training, universal health services and fair pension levels for retired persons. Consequently, the politics of less and less State intervention clearly runs counter to the ability of a nation to address the challenges posed by a worldwide economy.

There has been a long-running debate over the welfare state between its opponents and protagonists for decades, not only in the United States, but in all advanced western democracies. The authors of this publication simultaneously defend the positive effects of the welfare state and offer an analysis of the reasons for the suspicion of public opinion on the subject. But the debate over the welfare state crisis can best be analysed, in light ofF. Ewald's work, not as an avatar, but as representing an episode in the system's very means of reproduction.

Ce livre comporte une série d'articles présentés et écrits par des spécialistes canadiens et européens reconnus pour leur connaissance des services communautaires pour les personnes âgées dans la province de l'Ontario et partout ailleurs au Canada. Ces articles ont été préparés en fonction d'ateliers tenus à Toronto en 1988 qui visaient à élaborer de nouvelles politiques et des programmes pour les personnes âgées. Les articles traitaient plus particulièrement des programmes de l'Ontario et du Manitoba et font quelques comparaisons avec d'autre pays. Ils abordent aussi sommairement d'autres programmes extrêmement bien élaborés comme ceux de la Colombie-Britannique ou de la Saskatchewan. Le livre s'adresse aux decideurs politiques, aux planificateurs, aux étudiants ou aux administrateurs du domaine des soins à domicile.

This book groups a series of articles presented at a symposium held in Trois-Rivières on October 10, 11 and 12, 1990. It covers the main issues of training and instrumentation of people working in contexts of abuse and violence towards the elderly. Several programs and testimonies of intervention in Quebec are also presented. This is a well-researched book, which, in addition to outlining the broad elements of the issue, gives an analytical presentation of recent publications and tackles the touchy subject of unrecognized old age homes. Therefore, in its composition, Vieillir sans violence offers an excellent synthesis of the state of current knowledge on violence towards the elderly. However, the large number of themes touched upon is somewhat detrimental to a sense of unity. Also, the highly descriptive nature of the texts can at times make for fastidious and arduous reading. Despite these few flaws, this is nonetheless an accessible book that contributes greatly to our understanding of the phenomenon of violence.

This book examines many aspects of “caring” from a feminist perspective. The authors analyse caring, and the roles that women play within this sphere, in relation to certain socio-economic dimensions particular to women in Canadian society which comprise the cornerstone of the current methodology developed. The eight authors, in turn, each cast original light on the principal theme and the variety of subjects covered makes this publication a pivotal work in the thought and study of women and the taking of responsibility for dependent adults in the family. By questioning the foundations upon which the caring practices of Canadian society rest, the authors lay the groundwork for a critical knowledge which will contribute, in the end, to a greater measure of equality between the sexes. This high quality work is also easily accessible and will interest people who study, teach and work in fields related to the sphere of caregiving.

Based on 138 interviews with elderly persons living at home, aged 60 to 80, the book presents a sociological analysis of the ageing process. These persons talk about sources of joy or stress and anxiety for them. They describe their everyday life made up of constant negotiation and invention of their material and psychological living conditions. Day after day they invent, organise and reorganise these conditions especially when periods of dependancy happen. The book also includes an analysis of the adversity of representations, according to social classes, as regards retirement, former professional activities, management of everyday space and time conditions, decline, illness and death.