"Growing Old is unlike anything you've read before about old age. It's not a chirpy guidebook to successful aging (often written by people in their forties and fifties—who haven't gotten there yet!) but something far deeper and revelatory. By turns hilarious, poignant, fascinating, and disturbing, every page is brutally honest. If you ever plan to grow old or know anyone else who's already there, you'll find insights here you'll see nowhere else." — Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus
“Written by one of our most distinguished observers of human and animal behavior who has now decided to observe herself, this book is a witty, wise, frank, and ultimately comforting look—from the inside out—at the universal experience of growing old.” — Dale Peterson, author of Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man and The Ghosts of Gombe
“This is a true gift. Elizabeth has trekked the Arctic Circle and lived with the Bushmen—not your typical human. Yet, she shares how time catches up with us all. Her unexpectedly delightful book made me realize the good decisions my grandparents made, and think about how I should should approach my own future. A unique look at a universal process that we need not fear—and might come to relish.” — Dr. Mark W. Moffett, anthropologist-explorer and author of The Human Swarm: How Our Societies Arise, Thrive, and Fall
"Octogenarian Thomas tackles old age in this clever and astute memoir…Thomas is an inspiring example of a life well lived, and her sense of humor, honesty, and curiosity will resonate.” — Publisher’s Weekly, STARRED review
"With wit and humor, Thomas thoughtfully conveys the realities of aging. This fully absorbing memoir will especially resonate with readers over 65 and those who work with geriatric populations, yet all readers should find much wisdom to be gained from this warm offering." — Library Journal
"Thomas turns her curiosity about all things natural toward a subject that many choose to ignore, willfully or not....With each age-related topic, Thomas writes candidly and with occasional dark humor, sharing both the good and the bad...." — Kirkus Reviews
This is a true gift. Elizabeth has trekked the Arctic Circle and lived with the Bushmen—not your typical human. Yet, she shares how time catches up with us all. Her unexpectedly delightful book made me realize the good decisions my grandparents made, and think about how I should should approach my own future. A unique look at a universal process that we need not fear—and might come to relish.
"Octogenarian Thomas tackles old age in this clever and astute memoir…Thomas is an inspiring example of a life well lived, and her sense of humor, honesty, and curiosity will resonate.”
★ 09/23/2019
Octogenarian Thomas (The Hidden Life of Dogs) tackles old age in this clever and astute memoir. From her home in rural New Hampshire, the widowed great-grandmother looks back upon her life and offers advice for readers approaching old age—“a venture to the unknown.” Thomas, who claims to have cheated death four times (once in Namibia when a lion charged at her), isn’t afraid of dying, and she doesn’t mince words when describing funerals, burial procedures, or facilities for the aged. She finds her failing memory fascinating—particularly how she can’t always recall people’s names, but the Finnish word for sugar, which she learned from childhood caregivers, unexpectedly surfaces. Thomas touches on the challenge of technology, losing her hearing, and breaking a hip as she shares some of her unusual experiences, among them living among the San in South Africa and treasuring a tiger turd she keeps in the freezer. She offers practical tips, such as scoping out retirement communities before it’s time to relocate, maintaining social ties, and keeping busy “with something you like.” Marshall is an inspiring example of a life well lived, and her sense of humor, honesty, and curiosity will resonate with aging readers. (Apr.)
"Octogenarian Thomas tackles old age in this clever and astute memoir…Thomas is an inspiring example of a life well lived, and her sense of humor, honesty, and curiosity will resonate.”
Written by one of our most distinguished observers of human and animal behavior who has now decided to observe herself, this book is a witty, wise, frank, and ultimately comforting look—from the inside out—at the universal experience of growing old.
"Growing Old is unlike anything you've read before about old age. It's not a chirpy guidebook to successful aging (often written by people in their forties and fifties—who haven't gotten there yet!) but something far deeper and revelatory. By turns hilarious, poignant, fascinating, and disturbing, every page is brutally honest. If you ever plan to grow old or know anyone else who's already there, you'll find insights here you'll see nowhere else."
12/01/2019
Octogenarian Thomas (The Hidden Life of Dogs) has discovered that old age comes with benefits, along with some surprises and unwelcome events and conditions. Recounting various awakenings over the course of her life (e.g., learning about death at an early age), the author marvels that her heart is still beating while at the same time her bones are deteriorating. Thomas relates to the experience of feeling invisible and living in a senior community, yet finds many things for which to be thankful. VERDICT With wit and humor, Thomas thoughtfully conveys the realities of aging. This fully absorbing memoir will especially resonate with readers over 65 and those who work with geriatric populations, yet all readers should find much wisdom to be gained from this warm offering.
2019-12-01
The 88-year-old author offers an honest take on what old age is really like.
In her latest, anthropologist Thomas (The Hidden Life of Life: A Walk Through the Reaches of Time, 2018, etc.) turns her curiosity about all things natural toward a subject that many choose to ignore, willfully or not: "Why write a book about old age? Nobody wants it. Nobody likes it." However, she writes, "the aging process is an essential part of the human story, and it's not for the faint-hearted. It's as strange as it is captivating—a venture to the unknown." In a plainspoken narrative, the author covers a variety of topics, including gravesites and cemeteries, the pros and cons of cremation and burial, the physical changes her body has gone through during her long life, independent living, assisted living, home health aides, and the benefits and pitfalls of living alone, as Thomas does on a farm in New Hampshire. The author encourages everyone, old and young, to properly prepare for death and to leave your final wishes in written form so they can be carried out efficiently. With each age-related topic, Thomas writes candidly and with occasional dark humor, sharing both the good and the bad, which includes such expected ills as memory loss and the slow decline of her physical abilities. Given her experiences, the author is insightful—if not groundbreaking—on most topics. In some of her more meandering prose, Thomas shares snippets of information about her previous adventures, which might lead readers to search out her other books. In this one, the author provides readable, forthright discussions of aging that will resonate most with older readers. Though not earth-shattering in any way, the narrative shows all readers that "death is the price we pay for life."
A straightforward and sometimes humorous analysis of the pros and cons of old age.
