This is a book for women and men about what it means to be old. Investigative journalist and author Merrily Weisbord takes us on her journey through the literature, science and everyday experience of aging, conducting personal discussions with sociologist Betty Friedan, biochemist Linus Pauling, Gray Panther Maggie Kuhn, Norman Cousins, Joan and Erik Erickson, M.F.K Fisher, her own father, and Uncle Joe, Aunt Sue and their friends at the Seminole Trailer Park in Florida.
Examining the research on the cutting edge of the sciences and humanities, Weisbord asks the questions that worry her about growing older. What happens to sex? What seems beautiful when one is older? How does one’s identity change? What happens to one’s memory? What values become important?
“An intoxicating combination of the sanguine, the silly and the sublime. Should be required reading for anyone who’s ever worried about a wrinkle.”
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“…fascinating observations and startling conclusions. If you plan to be an active part of society in the future, the cues and clues contained here will be beneficial.”
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“Weisbord is picking up early signals of a topic that will soon become a media preoccupation for the baby-boom generation…. Wonderfully written.”
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