Book excerpt: "This book is a mind opener to many important issues of human behavior." -- from the Foreword by James E. Birren Reminiscence work continues to develop in exciting and productive ways. In this volume, Webster and Haight along with multidisciplinary contributors point out ways of improving the quality of life through the processes of reminiscence. They present examples of cutting-edge treatments in reminiscence work. Organized into sections, the book sets the stage with a valuable review of the literature and then focuses on conceptual issues, developmental/sociocultural contexts, special populations, and clinical applications. Topics addressed include: reminiscence and development in late life, personal identity/social discontinuity, spiritual reminiscence, story-telling, integrating reminiscence and life review techniques with therapy, and reminiscence groups for people with dementia, among them. Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work will help shape the direction of the field in the future and should be read by every practitioner, researcher, and senior undergraduate/graduate student interested in biographical approaches.