Bill Bytheway was trained as a statistician and has worked in social research for over 40 years. He is a founding member of the British Society of Gerontology and edited the journal, Ageing & Society, between 1997 and 2001. He is a member of the Academy of the Social Sciences and is a visiting Research Fellow with the Open University.

"Bill's book is to be recommended - and not just for oldies - (whatever they are)." Dorothy Sheridan MBE, University of Sussex" 'Unmasking Age' is a tour de force. It is a real page turner in the sense that it is so illuminating and intellectually accessible. I have ordered copies for the library and will certainly use it as a course textbook next year." Marvin Formosa, University of Malta

• Contents: Introducing age; A nuisance variable?; Chronological age is significant; How old are you?; Age in time; Representations of age; Growing older and older; The later life perspective; Getting real.