This book combines practice-oriented discussions with conceptual, policy statements and research-based data on inter-generational solidarity and social cohesion. The authors have compiled an impressive book which probes these topics while acknowledging that they cannot provide final conclusions because of the shortage of work in this field. The book has been authored by a group of scholars primarily from Spain and the United States under the leadership of Mariano Sánchez. Some of the names might be familiar to Ageing & Society readers. With its international perspective and spotlight on Spain, the book outlines the benefits from inter-generational programmes for all members of society. The focus is on the importance of inter-generational solidarity on the micro-, mezzo- and macro-levels in order to answer elders' needs and the role that inter-generational programmes can play. The goal is to explicate what such programmes are, to identify components of the best programmes and define their benefits within the framework of the United Nations social policies to create ‘a society for all ages’. Four themes that provide the conceptual framework are identified: inter-generational solidarity relating to both multi-generational and inter-generational aspects; changing dynamics in societal acknowledgement and support for old age as a period of the life span; the need for social inclusion thus creating ‘a society for all ages’; and fostering inter-generational policies.

There are nine chapters, an introduction and conclusion. Mariano Sánchez introduces the volume by setting out the development of the concept of a ‘society for all’. It was formulated by the United Nations in 1995, and later expanded to ‘a society for all ages’ in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging in 2002, which elaborated on the multi-generational and inter-generational aspects included in the Plan of Action. The second chapter by Sally Newman and Mariano Sánchez presents and discusses the concept, history, components and models of inter-generational programmes which serve as appropriate instruments for strengthening inter-generational solidarity (between generations). The chapter finishes with an example from such programmes in Spain and an elaborate evaluation of those programmes. It presents the conceptual framework for the development of inter-generational programmes, discussing generations and the relations between them, but should have included earlier the major paradigm of inter-generational solidarity developed by Bengtson and others. The third chapter by Sacramento Pinazo and Matthew Kaplan discusses and analyses the benefits of such programmes to individuals, communities and society. It also presents methods of evaluating them, which should have been incorporated when the evaluation of the Spanish programmes was presented.

Chapter 4 by Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United in the USA, argues for the role of inter-generational programmes in combating ageism, enhancing wellbeing and promoting social inclusion, discussing barriers in developing quality programmes. A chapter by Alan Hatton-Yeo, which in my view should have been placed earlier, sets the conceptual stage by discussing the paradigms of inter-generational solidarity and social cohesion. The fifth chapter, by Shannon Jarrott and Aaron Weintraub, presents and analyses a practice model of ‘inter-generational shared sites’ and its uniqueness with empirical research on these models, outlining future directions. The sixth chapter, by Nancy Henkin, also discusses a practice model of ‘communities for all ages’, the aim of which is to strengthen the social compact between generations, with a theoretical rationale relating to the life-span approach. Juan Sáez in Chapter 7 argues for the professionalisation of inter-generational work and presents an example of such a process – training for international programme managers. In Chapter 8, Juan Sáez, Sacramento Pinazo and Mariano Sánchez outline how the fostering of inter-generational policies might be advanced, presenting an elaborate foundation for a new meta-generational culture and integrating the life-cycle view. They also discuss key dimensions of inter-generational social policies. Given the breadth of the topic, the concluding part is rather short and I would have expected it to integrate the concluding remarks from all chapters.

The chapters in the book vary, some concentrate on empirical descriptions of inter-generational programmes using specific examples, and some draw on conceptual paradigms and original research. As is inevitable in such a volume, they vary in their theoretical and conceptual sophistication. It is impossible to review the many facets of this book in 800 words but what captured my interest was the focus on inter-generational solidarity and social inclusion, trying to translate it into practice models and foster policy, in order to translate the ideas of ‘a society for all ages’ into reality. The book is not a teaching text. It has interesting reviews of the state of the art on inter-generational programmes, especially in the USA and Spain, and outlines some specific research issues. The chapters bring to the readers a kaleidoscope of different but interlocking topics on inter-generational programmes. The prime audience is clearly policy makers and practitioners at the international, national and community levels and the research community.