Book Review: On Turning 65

By Bill London, from the March 2003 Newsletter

Following the example of one of his heroes, Thoreau, author John Jerome wrote a memoir, or journal, of a significant year of his life-the year he became 65. Jerome's musings in the book, appropriately titled, "On Turning Sixty-five," provide an absorbing look into the future for those of us who are nearing the official retirement age.

I borrowed the book from Moscow mainstay Jim Prall. Actually, Prall pushed the book into my hands. Prall is older than I am, and as a revered elder, I do pay attention to everything he says. Usually. OK, sometimes. (If you have a few hours, ask Prall about the timing of his own birth. He will explain how he was born-in January of 1945-just before the demographic tidal wave called the Baby Boom which began officially with the end of WWII in August of 1945. I think Prall has assumed that his seniority as a pre-Boomer provides license to pontificate on all things temporal. Of course, for our own good. And in this case, Prall was right about this book.)

John Jerome's book focuses on the physiological and the emotional changes that accompany aging. He finds that he has much less interest in his possessions and he spends much more time at home involved in his own world, seeking the wisdom and the answers he needs for the next big adventure.

If you are planning on becoming 65 years old, this is a good book to help point you on your way.

Bill London edits this newsletter and will be excited to spend this month with his visiting daughter.

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