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The Black Elderly: Satisfaction and quality of later life by Marguerite M Coke DSW and James A Twaite. The Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, New York 13904- 1580, 1995 (ISBN 156024 914 5). 126 pages. $29.95.

The authors of this book have completed an in-depth study of the many factors which can lead to life satisfaction and quality of life of older black citizens in the USA. Many assumptions have been made of people’s needs. However, they designed a simple well-planned questionnaire t o test and research the hypotheses.

This is not an easy book to read. The tables are clear but its many references throughout the pages interrupt the flow of the narrative. This does not detract from its validity in that it realises and accepts that cultural differences need t o be explored so that the services planned will be appropriate t o the black elderly requirements, using their value systems like church and family involvement.

The black dimension in the USA society does not easily translate into the English black experience in that here, the older population does not have the ‘slave’ memory nor the

Athletic Taping and Bracing by David H Perrin. Human Kinetics (Europe), PO BoxIW14, Leeds LS16 6TR, 1995 (ISBN 0 87322 502 3). Illus. 120 pages. f20.50.

This American book is written for would-be athletic trainers, whose association lists taping as one of several skills necessary for a trainer t o function effectively. The author stresses that the proficient applica- tion of tape is one of the most important and visible skills neces- sary if one wants to gain the confidence of the athlete. Taping and bracing can prevent injury and facilitate an injured athlete’s return to sport. Thus, becoming proficient in taping skills is a challenge and may take many hours or even years to acquire.

This book is well written and easily understandable. It is beauti- fully produced, well organised, eg bullet points in coloured boxes, and it complements existing tap- ing books, with over 400 good photographs and illustrations. After

exclusion from education which made the church so central t o the lives of older black Americans. There, the church provided educa- tion, self-value and self-worth as well as the ‘religiosity’ stated.

This book does not interpret the EnglishIEuropean black experience, but it does pose the question ‘Could a similar survey benefit the older black population’s future services here?

Issues of low income, poor educa- tion and limited opportunity can be shared by a small minority of the white population. The racism factor compounds these for Afro-American elderly people. This does not detract from the rationale behind this book which concludes that services should be tailor-made to meet the cultural needs and experience of the black population by empowering them to use their naturally occur- ring support mechanisms, the church and the family role involve- ment.

The book includes some inter- esting issues for those providing and planning services in Britain; for example the priority rating of life satisfaction for men may be headed by adequate income, but women require the family and

reading this book, the impact of taping on athletic performance and injury prevention, and the rules of sport pertaining to the use of tape or braces on the field of play will be clearly understood.

This book is divided into seven chapters addressing the regions of the body from the lower limb through to the upper limb.

Each chapter begins with clear anatomical diagrams depicting muscles, tendons, ligaments, range of motion for each joint and mecha- nisms of injury. These diagrams

‘Where can I get that book?’

Books reviewed are normally available from a good bookseller. When ordering give book title, author (or editor), publication date, publisher and the ISBN number.

church involvement. This must be taken into account when planning services. Planning in the USA requires services t o be provided which support black elderly people supporting others, understanding the need to be involved in family affairs and where possible have input into the rearing of grandchildren.

The environment in which ser- vices are delivered must be valued, safe and acceptable, such as church halls or church meeting rooms where elderly church members would contribute and value their involvement as well as receive services.

It is salutary to note that the rise of the middle class black generation with a better income, better educa- tion but more job migratory life style may lose the very things valued by today’s black elderly people - family involvement and church commitment. When they become black elderly people, will services be tailored to meet their needs or will their needs differ significantly from those of white older people?

Patricia Odunmbaku Auty GradDipPhys MCSP DMS

allow the reader to visualise the underlying structures needing support, and also the mechanism of potential injury. Following this is a series of photographs of taping tech- niques, types of suitable bracing, and stretching and strengthening exercises for return to sport. It is emphasised that taping and ex- ercise alone do not constitute a treatment, but are adjuncts to the total injury care programme for safe return to competition.

This book is not directed at begin- ners for use as a self-teaching manual, as the instructions are not detailed enough. For those more experienced, the book would be ideal for quick reference t o anatomical details and appopriate techniques. I would recommend this book highly to individuals involved with the management and care of athletic injuries. It is good value for money and would complement any library.

Rose Macdonald BA MSCP MCPA

Physiotherapy, October 1996, vol82, no 10