This extremely comprehensive book takes a developmental approach to giftedness and to talent development in all domains. Designed to cover both the characteristics of gifted students and to present important information on how to teach them, it is appropriate for introductory courses for gifted education and for methods courses. It contains the latest results of federal research projects, suggestions for inclusion, and definitions of who is gifted and talented. In addition, it is the only book in the field with an entire chapter devoted to talented adults. The author's readable prose and case examples written by real teachers contribute to the book's overall usefulness, prompting some readers to call it their “handbook”.