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The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging
“Stimulating and inspiring. . . .” —Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace Journalist William J. Kole, reluctant but newly minted member of AARP, explores the looming era of super-aging—incredibly longer lifespans overall, and eight times more centenarians by the year 2050—through the lens of past, present, and future life at ages 50, 65, 80, and on to 100-plus. What happens to all of us when 65 is merely a life half-lived? By 2050, the world’s centenarian population—those aged 100 or more—will increase eightfold. Half of today’s 5-year-olds can expect to reach the same heights. It’s going to upend everything we thought we knew about health care, personal finance, retirement, politics, and more. Whether we’re 18 or 81, this tectonic demographic shift will affect us all. The Big 100 confronts readers with both the brightness and potential bleakness of a fate few of us thought possible. Journalist William Kole guides us on this journey into our future, an optimistic but sometimes fraught exploration of super-aging as the grandson of a centenarian.
Along the way, there are expert sources, like Dr. Jane Goodall, longevity expert Dr. Thomas Perls, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and even 101-year-old influencer and fashionista Iris Apfel; along with surprises, including the truth about those so-called “Blue Zones” everyone thinks are centenarian factories. (Spoiler They’re not.) And there’s the troubling truth that those reaching extreme longevity tend to be overwhelmingly white, a product of what experts deem the “weathering theory”: the idea that the health of African Americans begins to deteriorate in early adulthood as a physical consequence of socio-economic disadvantages.
How long can we live? How long should we live? And what happens when 65 is merely a life half-lived? The Big 100 explores the most pressing questions of our super-aging future, and offers a glimpse of a reality that awaits us, our children, and our grandchildren.
Along the way, there are expert sources, like Dr. Jane Goodall, longevity expert Dr. Thomas Perls, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and even 101-year-old influencer and fashionista Iris Apfel; along with surprises, including the truth about those so-called “Blue Zones” everyone thinks are centenarian factories. (Spoiler They’re not.) And there’s the troubling truth that those reaching extreme longevity tend to be overwhelmingly white, a product of what experts deem the “weathering theory”: the idea that the health of African Americans begins to deteriorate in early adulthood as a physical consequence of socio-economic disadvantages.
How long can we live? How long should we live? And what happens when 65 is merely a life half-lived? The Big 100 explores the most pressing questions of our super-aging future, and offers a glimpse of a reality that awaits us, our children, and our grandchildren.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2023
21 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
William J. Kole
4 books8 followersWilliam J. Kole is an editor for Axios and an award-winning veteran journalist who has reported from North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He has served as Vienna bureau chief for The Associated Press and also as New England bureau chief. A former lay missionary for the Assemblies of God and worship leader at evangelical churches in Europe and around New England, he served as board president of Dorcas USA, an international Christian relief and development agency. Kole is the author of The Big 100, which Jane Goodall called "stimulating and inspiring."
William J. Kole, the grandson of a woman who lived a few months shy of 104, has been writing about extreme longevity since the 1990s, when he was based in Paris and told the world the extraordinary story of Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain. He speaks French, Dutch, and German, and resides in Warwick, Rhode Island.
William J. Kole, the grandson of a woman who lived a few months shy of 104, has been writing about extreme longevity since the 1990s, when he was based in Paris and told the world the extraordinary story of Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain. He speaks French, Dutch, and German, and resides in Warwick, Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 3, 2023
"Our relationships with ageing if expressed as a relationship status - is complicated" 🤣
Focused on the centenarian age group (above 100), this book was like an explosion of insights into the current state of affairs. Addressed from multiple perspectives, it was an exemplary work of research and the author's witty writing made it quite easy to read too. If you ever wondered how people ever live beyond 100 and want to know about what actually matters... read this book.
Now moving to some interesting perspectives and concepts, that I discovered here:
• 'Affordable part of least resistance - when people choose unhealthy options over better ones simply because that is all they can afford that will most definitely be consumed
• How having a college degree allows you to live longer - the impact of education
• Living longer is not as simple as eating healthy and exercising daily, it is a combination of 20k factors that allows you to cumulatively work to maintain your fountain of youth.
• Ageist people, issues with the modern generation, AKA 'Us'
• Bottomline the rich get more time... hence live longer, primarily white people
• Eye-opening stats about companies like IBM practising ageism to get rid of people.
• The toll of caregiving for elders on the younger generation
• A simple technique to go a long way is being humorous, witty and adaptable.
• When all else is lost, the future still remains.
Yes... for a change I just can't stop writing about this book. All I can say is, this was "Bom Degree Dot Com".
Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media and @billterrykole for such an interesting ARC.
Genre: #nonficfion #science
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Focused on the centenarian age group (above 100), this book was like an explosion of insights into the current state of affairs. Addressed from multiple perspectives, it was an exemplary work of research and the author's witty writing made it quite easy to read too. If you ever wondered how people ever live beyond 100 and want to know about what actually matters... read this book.
Now moving to some interesting perspectives and concepts, that I discovered here:
• 'Affordable part of least resistance - when people choose unhealthy options over better ones simply because that is all they can afford that will most definitely be consumed
• How having a college degree allows you to live longer - the impact of education
• Living longer is not as simple as eating healthy and exercising daily, it is a combination of 20k factors that allows you to cumulatively work to maintain your fountain of youth.
• Ageist people, issues with the modern generation, AKA 'Us'
• Bottomline the rich get more time... hence live longer, primarily white people
• Eye-opening stats about companies like IBM practising ageism to get rid of people.
• The toll of caregiving for elders on the younger generation
• A simple technique to go a long way is being humorous, witty and adaptable.
• When all else is lost, the future still remains.
Yes... for a change I just can't stop writing about this book. All I can say is, this was "Bom Degree Dot Com".
Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media and @billterrykole for such an interesting ARC.
Genre: #nonficfion #science
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
September 26, 2023
An intriguing peak into our near future society where a life expectancy of 100 years may soon become the norm while supercentenarians push the boundaries of just how long a human can live. This thoroughly researched and easily consumable book presents topics from a wide variety of areas including, scientific research, socio-economic factors and environmental impacts.
A perfect summary of the growing wealth of information and innovations focused on living longer. This book explores the good, the bad, and everything in-between when it comes to extending the age range of humankind. I appreciated the comprehensive scope of this book and think there are plenty of take-aways for all readers. If this is a topic you are curious about I highly recommend reading or listening to this book.
💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you like books that present a broad view on topics
🔹 you like when non-fiction books layer in interviews
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator, Patrick Lawlor, is just what you’d hope for in a non-fiction book; a solid, credible voice, that captures the authors enthusiasm for the topic.
Highly recommend this as an audio-book, although I’m sure it’s equally as compelling in any book format.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a digital audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
A perfect summary of the growing wealth of information and innovations focused on living longer. This book explores the good, the bad, and everything in-between when it comes to extending the age range of humankind. I appreciated the comprehensive scope of this book and think there are plenty of take-aways for all readers. If this is a topic you are curious about I highly recommend reading or listening to this book.
💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you like books that present a broad view on topics
🔹 you like when non-fiction books layer in interviews
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator, Patrick Lawlor, is just what you’d hope for in a non-fiction book; a solid, credible voice, that captures the authors enthusiasm for the topic.
Highly recommend this as an audio-book, although I’m sure it’s equally as compelling in any book format.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a digital audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2023
DNF at 31%
I was not prepared for this book to be so politically charged and U.S.-centric. To be fair, the description of the book does state, “And there’s the troubling truth that those reaching extreme longevity tend to be overwhelmingly white, a product of what experts deem the ‘weathering theory’: the idea that the health of African Americans begins to deteriorate in early adulthood as a physical consequence of socio-economic disadvantages.”
Kole covers a very in-depth history of things that increased life expectancy from the 18th century to today, including pasteurization, antibiotics and vaccination. Seizing another opportunity to be political, Kole reminds you that you should be vaccinating your children and seems almost smug that Benjamin Franklin, who was an anti-vaxxer, lost his son to smallpox. I don’t believe it’s fair to hold people who lived three centuries ago to our modern-day standards and political leanings. Already knowing the history of these things, I also found this to be a tedious waste of time.
Some of our biggest killers today, such as heart disease, could manage to be eradicated by altering our DNA in the womb, and I am curious if Kole truly believes anyone is going to be able to afford this outside of the uber wealthy when he is so keen to point out the disadvantages of non-white and socioeconomically poor people.
This book was certainly not for me. Its focus seems to be on how society will be affected by an aging population, not on longevity itself or how to personally strive for/achieve it. I would have been interested in this if it weren’t so political, and I can only guess if Kole meant for the tone to come off as patronizing as it did, but that is how the narrator chose to read it, which didn’t help.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.
I was not prepared for this book to be so politically charged and U.S.-centric. To be fair, the description of the book does state, “And there’s the troubling truth that those reaching extreme longevity tend to be overwhelmingly white, a product of what experts deem the ‘weathering theory’: the idea that the health of African Americans begins to deteriorate in early adulthood as a physical consequence of socio-economic disadvantages.”
Kole covers a very in-depth history of things that increased life expectancy from the 18th century to today, including pasteurization, antibiotics and vaccination. Seizing another opportunity to be political, Kole reminds you that you should be vaccinating your children and seems almost smug that Benjamin Franklin, who was an anti-vaxxer, lost his son to smallpox. I don’t believe it’s fair to hold people who lived three centuries ago to our modern-day standards and political leanings. Already knowing the history of these things, I also found this to be a tedious waste of time.
Some of our biggest killers today, such as heart disease, could manage to be eradicated by altering our DNA in the womb, and I am curious if Kole truly believes anyone is going to be able to afford this outside of the uber wealthy when he is so keen to point out the disadvantages of non-white and socioeconomically poor people.
This book was certainly not for me. Its focus seems to be on how society will be affected by an aging population, not on longevity itself or how to personally strive for/achieve it. I would have been interested in this if it weren’t so political, and I can only guess if Kole meant for the tone to come off as patronizing as it did, but that is how the narrator chose to read it, which didn’t help.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.
October 27, 2023
I read a lot of books about longevity/aging, and this book had some unique insights to offer. In particular, I appreciated the focus on the economic factors to consider as people live longer. However, I felt there was a bit too much political talk that was heavily biased. The book would've been just as informative without it, in my opinion. The highlight of the book was the conversations the author had with centarians. I enjoyed their often witty, lighthearted takes on aging.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
January 11, 2024
Audiobook- I needed inspiration to get back on my heath regime. Listening to this book helped! Although I’m a nurse and already knew some of the information, I was still able to learn about super aging and what may help to live my best life. I recommend this book to everyone over 40. It may inspire you to be more healthy!
September 21, 2023
Our world is getting older at a faster rate than our younger populations is growing. Scary stuff when you think about pension funds running out, retirement savings not lasting, strains on health care systems and support services, not to mention strains on the world itself. As we get better at living longer Kole looks at what we can do to increase our chances but also asks us; at what cost? So what do we need to do to live past 100? Surprisingly most changes you make might help you get to 90 but anything past that is more based on genetics. A lot has to do with conditions outside our individual control Kole looks at a multitude of issues and breaks down the information in a manageable way. He also is clear that living longer isn't great if: we run out of money, outlive friends and family, are in poor mental or physical health, continue to not address our climate issues living in a world that is getting hotter and with more extreme weather
The book is narrated by Patrick Lawlor who does an excellent job of keeping the tone serious and yet playful. With the volume of information and studies references this could have easily sounded like a lecture but the writing and the reading both keep the book more entertaining..
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book is narrated by Patrick Lawlor who does an excellent job of keeping the tone serious and yet playful. With the volume of information and studies references this could have easily sounded like a lecture but the writing and the reading both keep the book more entertaining..
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2023
You will have heard some of the predictions made in this book but it covers much more than predictions. Fact is: Today’s five-year olds will most likely live to the age of 100. The world over is in the midst of a longevity revolution and if you’ve listened to news on the aging population, 2030 will be a turning point in demographics for the US. In 2030, one in five people will be a boomer, older than 65 years, and in 2034, they will outnumber children. An interesting historical fact, of which there are many in this book, is that Benjamin Franklin was an avid anti-vaxer. This was before his four-year old son died of Smallpox. I mention this because the author goes through a short history of vaccines and discoveries that has aided in lengthening our lives. You will find many parts of this book enlightening and frightening. Still, mankind continues to find ways to keep us alive so we all should take heed and prepare to stay healthy to live longer. And imagine, somewhere in the far future, Taylor Swift as the U.S. Poet Laureate—you’ll have to find out what statement she apparently makes—just read the book.
September 15, 2023
This book had all the ratings.
5 stars The beginning and the light approach to much of the discussion about death and aging. I loved the discussions with the elderly and the quotes from the super agers. To be over 100 and still having a great life is fantastic.
4 stars The honest look at the data surrounding aging and how the headlines don't always match up with the reality of the studies. Looking into how the aging population will be impacted and will impact society was well written.
3 stars I would have liked ,pre about what each of us could do on a personal level to age well.
2 stars. The biased look into current politics and society.
zero stars The epilogue. Without the epilogue this would have been a 4 star book as I could have overlooked much of the bias however with the epilogue it is a 2.5 rounded up to a 3. I'm sure other will love the epilogue.
Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital audio ARC
5 stars The beginning and the light approach to much of the discussion about death and aging. I loved the discussions with the elderly and the quotes from the super agers. To be over 100 and still having a great life is fantastic.
4 stars The honest look at the data surrounding aging and how the headlines don't always match up with the reality of the studies. Looking into how the aging population will be impacted and will impact society was well written.
3 stars I would have liked ,pre about what each of us could do on a personal level to age well.
2 stars. The biased look into current politics and society.
zero stars The epilogue. Without the epilogue this would have been a 4 star book as I could have overlooked much of the bias however with the epilogue it is a 2.5 rounded up to a 3. I'm sure other will love the epilogue.
Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital audio ARC
October 23, 2023
The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging reflects on the increase in people living longer and how long lives might become in the coming years. By 2050, the number of centenarians is expected to octuple from current numbers. Kole gives examples of current centenarians and looks at some of the previous oldest people in the world. He cites experts in the field, looks at things likely to contribute to a person living to reach triple digits, lists historical discoveries that have helped improve life expectancy to this point, showcases examples of ageism in the world, and examines inequalities that make white people more likely to reach 100 than other races.
This book was an engaging read full of interesting facts. Patrick Lawlor did a great job narrating the audiobook. Check it out if you are interested in learning about aging and increasing life expectancies!
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
This book was an engaging read full of interesting facts. Patrick Lawlor did a great job narrating the audiobook. Check it out if you are interested in learning about aging and increasing life expectancies!
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
February 19, 2024
This was both terrifying and exciting to read. If there's one inevitability I'm taking away from this book; I don't want to live to 100. In fact, 80 feels like the right time to check out and hopefully, I will make that goal with my mind intact and my body's betrayals minimal.
There are no definite factors to living to 100 and beyond, and current medicine and scientific advancements are pushing us to live even longer, with some scientists predicting the first person to live to 150 has already been born! The frightening part about this concept is science and government is not addressing our escalating climate changes. It will not be a fun existence in a world that is parched with temperatures into the 100s most of the time.
Do better. Everyone. Do better for yourself. Do better for your children and grandchildren. Do better for future generations.
There are no definite factors to living to 100 and beyond, and current medicine and scientific advancements are pushing us to live even longer, with some scientists predicting the first person to live to 150 has already been born! The frightening part about this concept is science and government is not addressing our escalating climate changes. It will not be a fun existence in a world that is parched with temperatures into the 100s most of the time.
Do better. Everyone. Do better for yourself. Do better for your children and grandchildren. Do better for future generations.
September 23, 2023
There is someone alive right now that will die at age 150. By 2050, the world’s centenarian population be will 8x greater than it is now, and half of today’s 5 year olds will reach age 100. What does this exploding elder population mean for financial planning, climate change, retirement, medical communities, and immigration to fill worker shortages? Why are these statistics not uniform across races? William Kole attempts to answer these questions, plus explore societies already known for their extreme longevity and discover their methods for longer lives.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this advanced manuscript copy.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this advanced manuscript copy.
November 10, 2023
Hooked from the start with a lively intro to France’s Jeanne Calment who lived to 122 and had her own rap album! Explores the science of aging, and possible, if not probable, futures for the ever-growing number of super-agers (will 110 be the new 80??). Enjoying colorful stories of extraordinary "ordinary" lives granted abundant and often unexected years. All in, an honest look at extreme silver - both with and without the lining; including the inequities that spell shorter spans for many. Highly recommend this upbeat read with an eye toward making our longer lives more healthy and meaningful.
December 18, 2023
Enjoyed overall, felt like the need to implement relatively severe policy changes as aging populations begin to far outnumber working ones and the importance of money in aging were really blown over - mentioned a few times but not treated as the enormous factors they are - also thought there would be more on medically informed suicide - good overall!
February 22, 2025
Fascinating look at the personal habits of people who live to be very old, some well over 100 years. Highly detailed and heavily documented. Examines the role of genetics, environment, beliefs, social connections and support, diet, personal habits, education financial resources, and medical care. Biological age vs. chronological age.
June 2, 2024
Goodread giveaway winner. What an interesting book! The pros and cons, the how-tos and whys of reaching 100 and beyond. It definitely opened my eyes to what I want my later years to look like and how to make them the best years yet. A great read for all ages!
November 18, 2023
Comprehensive, thought provoking and enjoyable dissertation of the probably of living past 100.
March 19, 2024
Lots of good research here. Almost too much. Very enlightening. The epilogue was hilarious. If you don't read the book, definitely read the epilogue!
April 30, 2025
Excellent book
February 6, 2024
The Boston Globe caught up with me about THE BIG 100 and how the book came about.
Here's their Q&A: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/0...
Here's their Q&A: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/0...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews