Book Review

Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development
by George E. Vaillant, M.D.
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Published: January 2002

| About the Book | About the Author | The Review | Where to Order |

About the Book
The past century's advances in medicine and technology have added decades to our life expectancy. More and more of us can expect to live into our eighties, nineties, and beyond. But what most of us want to know is: How can we make the best of those extra years? What steps can we take now to make our final years happier, healthier, and more satisfying?

Now, with the results of the world's longest and most complete study of adult development at his disposal, George Vaillant has the answers to these questions, and the evidence to back them up. In Aging Well, the director of Harvard's landmark study of aging shares the secrets to ensuring that the golden years are truly golden.

In an unprecedented series of studies, Harvard Medical School has followed 824 subjects—men and women, some rich, some poor—from their teens to old age. In Aging Well, Vaillant uses these studies and the subjects' individual histories to illustrate why some people turn out to be more resilient than others, and to demonstrate which factors truly make the difference. He shows why our backgrounds have less to do with our eventual happiness than the specific life choices we make. He explores the complicated effects of marriage and divorce, and the importance of maintaining a network of friends, an open and curious mind, and a willingness to play. Vaillant offers step-by-step advice about how each of us can change our lifestyle and live a more fulfilling, satisfying, and rewarding life in the later years. Sure to be debated on talk shows, in classrooms, and in living rooms, Vaillant's definitive and inspiring book is the new classic account of how we live and how we can live better.

About the Author
George E. Vaillant, M.D.
George E. Vaillant, M.D., is a widely respected researcher, a psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a professor at the Harvard Medical School. He is also the author of several books, including Adaptation to Life, Wisdom of the Ego, and the classic The Natural History of Alcoholism.

The Review
OK. I'm getting older. Yep - it's definitely happening. Of course this is all the more apparant this month as I "celebrate" yet another birthday. I haven't been happy about being beyond my twenties and suddenly feel the thirst for all knowledge on capturing my youth, staying young or more importantly, feeling young. With this in mind I decided to review Aging Well. I can't fight again, so I may as well learn how to go with the flow and age as gracefully as possible, right?

Well, it was enlightening, if a bit dry to read. But although it came across a bit "text-booky" to me, I became increasingly aware of how fascinating some of the studies were. I mean - they actually studied these people for years and years. This isn't guessing and projecting assumptions. This was based on actual, factual cases. Proving what other, shorter termed studies have always said, in a much more convincing manner. Yeah, yeah, I know I should quit smoking, have a "normal" sleeping pattern, etc. I knew this already - and this book gave good examples of why I should really, really do these things. But on the flip side I was very hapy to read that living well, being happy, having good relationships and having fun (yes - FUN!) can also aid in aging well.

So all in all I guess I liked Aging well for giving me concrete excuses and justifications for some of my "bad" habits. (Sorry Karen - I know you were hoping I'd quit smoking). I am the queen of justification - and if smoking and staying up all night work against me in aging well - then maybe that harm is offset by the good, relaxing, things in my life.

On the other hand, I'll keep this book locked away until my 40th birthday and re-read. Maybe by then I'll try to age just a bit better. :)
~Trixie, February 2002

Where to Buy
Amazon.com

Copywritten and granted permission to use by TWBookmark

Send this review to a friend

Post your own Book Reviews here

   Previous review                       List of reviews                     Next review

Missed a Past Book Review? Read them here!

Featured Book:

Looking for a book? Use this convenient Search Box from Amazon.com Search: Books Keywords: