This valuable book succeeds in bringing together new thinking and evidence on ageing across regions and cities internationally. It adopts a constructive approach, recognising opportunities and challenges ahead and the wide variability of ageing across social groups and national contexts. The contributors include established authorities along with emerging scholars. While there is disciplinary strength – notably in demography, economics and sociology – the text is relatively free of jargon and should be accessible to a range of readers, including researchers, advanced students and policy makers.

The chapters are grounded in sound evidence, much of which is new to international ageing. This includes quality surveys of cities (such as Delhi), country comparisons in the Middle East, remarkable biomarker data across developing and developed countries, the Global Ageing Survey (GLAS) and the WHO Study on global AGEing (SAGE). This evidence and its interpretations move the field on from the usual aggregate data from international agencies. There is even a welcome foray into qualitative research, albeit it for but one developed country. The chapters have comprehensive and current references, and the book is structured around three well-chosen areas which the editors convincingly argue present ‘extraordinary opportunities and challenges’ (p. 8). Heron's second chapter reviews global processes of ageing, including ‘windows of opportunity’ as fertility falls in developing countries (p. 21), and thoughtfully considers ethical issues arising from longer and better lives.

Part 1, on healthy ageing and health care, focuses on the societal and cultural contexts of functioning and self-rated health in India, impacts of earlier life and war on ageing men and women in the Middle East, insights into health associations with Eastern religions, and a tour-de-force led by Crimmins on physiological ageing in developed and developing countries. Aberdin critically assesses why ageing is not recognised as a policy priority in sub-Saharan Africa. Deeg draws on epidemiological evidence to conclude that it is a myth to think that longer lives will be healthier lives, but the quality of lives can still be improved.

Part 2 brings fresh insights into workforce, retirement and pension policies in Europe. Kodran makes a convincing economic case for the sustainability of labour supply and economic growth notwithstanding demographic ageing. The solutions lie in the declining numbers of dependent younger people, increased productivity (if innovation can be achieved), and reserves of labour supply among ageing people and women across the age groups. Komp, writing from a social policy perspective, argues that that the extension of work to and beyond institutional retirement ages is driving a ‘reimaging of old age in Europe’ (p. 175). Jovik and McMullin examine employer and worker perceptions of the ‘risky business’ of ageing as an IT worker in Canada.

Part 3, on intergenerational themes, opens with masterly interpretations informed by recent evidence, particularly on China. Arbor sheds new light on intergenerational support, joint households and care-giving, demonstrating the centrality of gender and marital status and variation across regions. Chappell critically reviews and then empirically tests key concepts on social cohesion and filial support, demonstrating the persistence of cultural difference in care-giving among Chinese migrants to Canada compared to their counterparts in Hong Kong or Caucasian Canadians. Fast provides a comprehensive Canadian account of the social and economic consequences of inter- and intragenerational care-giving and its nexus with paid work. Korinek provides a sobering picture of loneliness among older people (especially men) in Bulgaria and Russia exacerbated by multiple hardships and family and regime change.

The book concludes by pointing towards more research and policy. Leeson and Kahn draw from the GLAS of 21 economies, demonstrating that older people are substantial contributors as well as recipients in complex intergenerational transfers within families and welfare states. The final chapter recaps the book's major findings, mentions the importance of theory, and recommends more research, in particular from a lifecourse perspective inclusive of global migration. Brief mention is made of policy implications including the importance of addressing diversity, ageism, social inequalities and the aspiration for ‘a bright future where people and societies age well with dignity and respect’ (p. 318). In summary, this book advances the understanding of international ageing. As a next stage of development the field could be advanced through more research on social change, diverse life histories leading to arrival in later life, and the impacts of global economic and social forces including urbanisation, migration, social inequalities and political economy.