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Age Discrimination
Sue Thompson, Russell House Publishing
ISBN 1903855594, £13.95

STAR RATING: 3/5

This book states that its aim is to “raise awareness of ageism as a discriminatory process so that its power can be undermined.”  It goes on to urge individuals to “promote change” and “raise awareness” in their organisations.
Unfortunately, the book uses academic language. This alienates the reader causing them to lose interest at an early stage, writes Ruth Molloy.

The book is divided into four chapters which, while theoretical, are  interspersed with personal and practice-focused exercises that fuel further thought. The final chapter is a guide to further learning, which is useful if you manage to get that far.

This book is interesting but feels too academic for those embarking on an “awareness-raising” exercise. It does not focus solely on age discrimination as it affects older people but also considers the effects of ageism on younger people. It would have been more useful to separate the experiences, maybe through different chapters.
The book would be useful for those considering the issues as an academic exercise. But it did not meet its aim of being an awareness-raising publication.

Ruth Molloy is a senior health promotion specialist, Bolton primary care trust, and works with older volunteers