"This volume focuses on the ways in which the life course of individuals is affected by the historical contexts in which they live. Editors Schaie and Elder, along with contributors, explore the following pivotal concerns: how historical changes, such as immigration, affect the life course; the impact of historical transitions within societies, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union; the linking mechanisms, such as how coming of age in wartime affected young people during World War II. One of the goals of this volume is to help readers gain a better understanding of the immediate and long-range effects of historical events on lives and aging. To stimulate thought and discussion, each chapter is followed by two insightful commentaries"--Provided by the Publisher.