Haim Hazan, a specialist on old age in anthropology, focuses on the reality of the experience of old age as opposed to the stereotyped image. He argues that the construction of this world by outsiders is affected by deeply ingrained social attitudes whereby the old are separated from society and associated with the fear of death. The author views the subject from a social constructionist perspective, drawing on ethnographic accounts to produce a sophisticated and original book that will have a significant impact on a field still dominated by the "social problems" approach.