Book excerpt: The Manual of Geriatric Anesthesia is a practical guide for physicians, residents, and students interested in the care of the elderly patient undergoing surgery. Although primarily written for anesthesiologists, other perioperative physicians and nurses will also find the information highly valuable. Highlights of the text include concise and clear discussions of preoperative assessment, anesthetic administration, the immediate postoperative care, as well as the more classic ‘geriatric’ topics such as the hip fracture patient, cataract surgery, postoperative delirium, dementia, ethics and end of life care. Clinical geriatric principles are woven into the text so that the reader can develop skills in geriatrics and develop a broader understanding of terminology and principles used in geriatric medicine.