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The content of the book is clearly influenced by the author’s practical experience in defining, developing, presenting and evaluating her practice. The author propounds the ‘everyone and everything is your teacher’ philosophy in highlighting a range of best practices. A clear distinction is made between on the one hand, approaches taken on adult community based education and adults returning to education from home and workplace, and on the other hand, approaches adopted and practised in the formal post secondary education sector. The many subtleties inherent in engaging adults in learning are exposed for examination and use. Overall the book is a treasure chest of ideas and perspectives. Einstein’s approach to education, of not teaching his pupils but creating the environment in which they can best learn, reflects much of what is proposed by the author. In this book the preferences of the learner often dictate the direction of the learning process. The many and varied exercises and activities as presented in chapter 9 on critical practice inform the concept of a ‘community of interest’ and provides scaffolding to support the adult learner in difficult times. This chapter includes many useful tools and tips to aid both facilitator and learner. I would commend this book to adult educators, policy makers and students in equal measure. It is easy to read with theory and practice interwoven seamlessly throughout. In this age of constant and rapid change where widespread commitment to lifelong learning is required, this book provides a wide variety of learning options for all stakeholders engaged in adult learning in groups today. dr senan cooke School of Education Studies Dublin City University.
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