For students, researchers, and policy makers, Shah and Priestley (Centre for Disability Studies, U. of Leeds, UK) combine biographical experiences with historical policy analysis to provide an account of the changing treatment of disabled people in Britain from the 1940s and the beginning of the modern British welfare state to the current period of non-discrimination and human rights legislation. They draw from a three-year research project in which they interviewed 50 women and men born in the 1940s, 60s, and 80s who grew up in England and were diagnosed or labeled with physical impairments from birth or infancy. They emphasize the relationship between changes in public policies and private lives and what this reveals about broader trends over time. They show how employment and public policies, institutions like hospitals and schools, environments, and relationships influenced the choices and opportunities available to young disabled people and their families. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)