THE HISTORY OF ADULT EDUCATION IN DENMARK, ENGLAND, GERMANY, AND THE UNITED STATES IS PRESENTED AND COMPARED. ADULT EDUCATION OPERATES THROUGH A VARIETY OF INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND UNIVERSITIES PROPER. IT IS VOLUNTARY AND PRIMARILY APPEALS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT HAD ADVANCED FORMAL EDUCATION. VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. DURING THE FIRST STAGE, RELIGIOUS AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES OR INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPISTS ORGANIZED ADULT EDUCATION SCHOOLS. SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES WERE CREATED OUT OF GENUINE DESIRE TO BETTER CONDITIONS OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED DURING THE SECOND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT WERE STILL CONTROLLED FROM ABOVE. THE THIRD STAGE SAW PEOPLE ACTIVELY PLANNING THEIR OWN EDUCATION. ADULT EDUCATION REFLECTS THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN EACH COUNTRY AND THE PARTICULAR STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT CAN BE REVEALED BY THE PROGRAM AND CONTENT. THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FROM PAGEANT PRESS, INC., 101 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003. (PT)