Meaning of Reminiscence and Life Review

Robert Butler's call for life reviews has exerted a key influence on the way gerontologists have looked at reminiscence and remembering. Widely thought to be a helpful mechanism for integrating past and future, the process of life review needs better specification and evaluation based on sound research. ''The Meaning of Reminiscence and Life Review'' brings together both research and application pieces covering the range of possibilities. It examines important controversies and asks: ''Does it work?'' and ''What is the evidence?'' Given their own voice, what do old people say about looking back?