For psychologists, psychiatrists, other mental health practitioners, play therapists, leisure time and recreation specialists, and scholars of development and personality, L'Abate (clinical psychology, Georgia State U., Atlanta) examines the history of play, details how it affects people from infancy to old age, and argues for its importance to physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He illustrates how people play at different stages of the life cycle and how it is part of development and socialization, as well as the consequences of its changes today. He also discusses its benefits and applications in therapy and rehabilitation and controversies over play, including technology, the media, and education. He excludes discussion of animal play, advocacy and theory, and neurological and cerebral functioning. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)