BOOK REVIEWS

Of all the books I read in 2004, this was my favourite. Barbara Rogoff provides an original and refreshing view of human development, stressing its cultural-historical specificity. It gives a clear and engaging account of just how the time and place in which children and young people live and grow help to shape not only their language, values and beliefs, but also their ways of learning, the ages at which they become responsible contributors to their communities and the social roles they play. Rogoff looks across cultures—across time and place—to review anew evidence relating to themes traditionally examined in developmental studies: attachment, family and community roles, developmental milestones, adolescence and parenthood, interdependence and autonomy, and cognitive development. Her motives for doing so are made clear: