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cathasreading's review
3.0
The message was great, however, I feel like this book could easily be cut down by around 50%. I also missed various other aspects of aging since the book primarily focused on the self getting old. I would have liked if it discussed the struggle of growing old while seeing your grandparents, your parents and eventually your peers die. It is such an integral part of life that everyone has to come to terms with. The author just went through these (don't get me wrong, eally awsome) older people and saying "look how great they have aged! Look what they have achieved later in life! If they can do it, so can you!" I also would have loved more practical advice as to how we can disrupt our ageist though patterns. In any case, it's a wonderful new perspective for me so I am glad I read it.
mrdavid205's review against another edition
4.0
This is actually quite a difficult book for me to review objectively. I bought it virtually as soon as it came out, which is very unusual for me, because it seemed to be just what I needed at this stage in my life. However, I read pages of examples of older people doing incredible things which I have little hope of emulating. It reminded me of the Ideal Home Exhibition, not so much reality as a vision of perfection that you can try to approximate in the less salubrious surroundings in which you find yourself. I also found an implied requirement for you to not only be healthy, but time rich and money rich as well. That said, the book was constantly surprising, fascinating and engagingly written.
It was towards the end of the book that the truth dawned on me. I realised that two years ago when I was enjoying my job after my first ever promotion, earning more money than i had ever done and going to the gym twice a week I couldn't wait to achieve more, do more and look forward. Sadly, my company closed down our particular location, making me and all of my colleagues redundant, and, 18 months later, in a job I enjoy less, earning far less money and no longer having time/energy/inclination to go to the gym, I am still defined by it.
It's about 4 days since I read the book and I have to admit that notwithstanding my initial thoughts about this book, namely that it was as the review states that the examples were of these paragons of ageing, I cannot help but think that I have a more positive attitude. It has been a bit easier to look ahead, and a bit easier to think about ageing without dreading it. I will return to the book in the future, and perhaps dip into it from time to time as I feel inclined, and I am now fairly sure that those rereads will be of more and more use to me.
It was towards the end of the book that the truth dawned on me. I realised that two years ago when I was enjoying my job after my first ever promotion, earning more money than i had ever done and going to the gym twice a week I couldn't wait to achieve more, do more and look forward. Sadly, my company closed down our particular location, making me and all of my colleagues redundant, and, 18 months later, in a job I enjoy less, earning far less money and no longer having time/energy/inclination to go to the gym, I am still defined by it.
It's about 4 days since I read the book and I have to admit that notwithstanding my initial thoughts about this book, namely that it was as the review states that the examples were of these paragons of ageing, I cannot help but think that I have a more positive attitude. It has been a bit easier to look ahead, and a bit easier to think about ageing without dreading it. I will return to the book in the future, and perhaps dip into it from time to time as I feel inclined, and I am now fairly sure that those rereads will be of more and more use to me.
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