Neuropsychology of Cognitive Decline seeks to provide readers with an overview of a neuropsychological and developmental approach to understanding, assessing and supporting older adults who may be experiencing cognitive decline. The book is divided to three parts, encompassing the trajectory from ageing and cognitive decline in later life, to the assessment of different types of cognitive impairment, through to interventions for late-life cognitive decline.

The authors guide the readers through the book, setting out the expectations for each part. It was also helpful to have resource sections at the end of chapters. At each stage, the authors have adopted a holistic biopsychosocial approach, taking account of a broad range of factors. For example, the chapter on factors predictive of cognitive decline considers education, social isolation as well as genetic factors. On the whole, I felt that the authors took a balanced approach. In some chapters the focus may have been dominated by neurological explanations. For example, in the chapter on subjective cognitive decline there may have been a greater consideration of the social or emotional contribution to this decline, but overall the focus of the argument was in keeping with the aim of the book.

The book is targeted at neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, social workers, gerontologists, psychiatrists and other healthcare workers. In my view, the content may not be accessible to such a wide audience. The book covers a range of psychological research-based approaches and evidence.

One of the aims of the book is to be a practical resource for practitioners: in this regard it is successful at providing a broad overview of the evidence base for approaches to practice. However, it is a challenge to develop a practical resource for an international audience and ensure that practical recommendations are relevant. This is less of a problem in part I, which provides an overview of cognitive decline in later life, but is more apparent in parts II (assessment) and III (interventions), where local and national policy will also influence decision-making in practice. This does not affect the relevance of the theoretical evidence but should be a consideration for the reader.

Overall, in my view the success of this book is in providing a comprehensive overview of neuropsychological evidence as it applies to practice. This book is ideal for neuropsychology students, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and researchers, but may not be as accessible to all health or social care students and practitioners.