Books of Interest

Winakur, Jerald. 2009. Memory lessons: a doctor's story. New York: Hyperion.

This is a moving and fascinating memoir by a general practitioner who, as his patients aged, became a gerontologist, and developed many profound insights into the care of the elderly. Interspersed with his compassionate stories of dealing with his elderly patients is a deeply moving account of his own father's battle with dementia.

Snowdon, David. 2001. Aging with grace: what the nun study teaches us about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. New York: Bantam.

I'm just starting this one, but it's a fascinating study of a group of nuns, who were studied over a period of many years by an epidemiologist, to discover some of the vital factors in the development of Alzheimer's Disease.