• Introduction; Chapter 1 Words and Concepts: The Meaning of Age and Aging; Chapter 2 The Forces of Aging: Macrocosm and Microcosm; Chapter 3 The New Science: Aging and Agency; Chapter 4 Society and Sociability: Cheerfulness; Chapter 5 Aged Identities: Prescriptive Behaviour for ‘Old Men’; Chapter 6 Identity Formations: Age and ‘Character’; conclusion Conclusion;

'Historians of the body and medicine will welcome this significant contribution to the history of ageing.' Social History of Medicine 'This book should appeal to students and others interested in history and ageing, and would be a fine supplement to other texts approaching the same subject matter from different perspectives.' Ageing & Society 'An important new study that significantly advances our understanding of the history of aging. Successfully incorporating cultural history methodologies with those of the social history of medicine, Yallop brings together a wide range of sources to paint a nuanced portrait of the eighteenth century's views of the aging process.' Susannah Ottaway, Carleton College

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Words and Concepts: The Meaning of Age and Aging; Chapter 2 The Forces of Aging: Macrocosm and Microcosm; Chapter 3 The New Science: Aging and Agency; Chapter 4 Society and Sociability: Cheerfulness; Chapter 5 Aged Identities: Prescriptive Behaviour for ‘Old Men’; Chapter 6 Identity Formations: Age and ‘Character’; conclusion Conclusion;

'Historians of the body and medicine will welcome this significant contribution to the history of ageing.' Social History of Medicine 'This book should appeal to students and others interested in history and ageing, and would be a fine supplement to other texts approaching the same subject matter from different perspectives.' Ageing & Society 'An important new study that significantly advances our understanding of the history of aging. Successfully incorporating cultural history methodologies with those of the social history of medicine, Yallop brings together a wide range of sources to paint a nuanced portrait of the eighteenth century's views of the aging process.' Susannah Ottaway, Carleton College

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Words and Concepts: The Meaning of Age and Aging; Chapter 2 The Forces of Aging: Macrocosm and Microcosm; Chapter 3 The New Science: Aging and Agency; Chapter 4 Society and Sociability: Cheerfulness; Chapter 5 Aged Identities: Prescriptive Behaviour for ‘Old Men’; Chapter 6 Identity Formations: Age and ‘Character’; conclusion Conclusion;

'Historians of the body and medicine will welcome this significant contribution to the history of ageing.' Social History of Medicine 'This book should appeal to students and others interested in history and ageing, and would be a fine supplement to other texts approaching the same subject matter from different perspectives.' Ageing & Society 'An important new study that significantly advances our understanding of the history of aging. Successfully incorporating cultural history methodologies with those of the social history of medicine, Yallop brings together a wide range of sources to paint a nuanced portrait of the eighteenth century's views of the aging process.' Susannah Ottaway, Carleton College