Master Class: Living Longer, Stronger, and Happier

by Peter Spiers, Brian Williams (Foreword)

They can be seen in communities throughout the country-- those amazingly hale, hearty, and happy older folks who are having fun, have a million friends, are sharp as tacks, and look like they'll live forever. Their secret-- revealed and explained in MASTER CLASS-- is an active lifestyle that blends moving, thinking, socializing and creating.

Through inspirational stories from active seniors, supported by the latest research in the fields of psychology and neuro-science, MASTER CLASS shows how to build an enriching lifestyle on the foundation of favorite activities. Author Peter Spiers, Senior Vice President of Road Scholar, the top-notch life-long learning organization, provides easy-to-follow charts that allow the reader to break out of their daily routines into Moving/Thinking/Socializing/Creating. By filling the gaps with a selection from 25 "Master Activities," such as learning a musical instrument, playing tennis, volunteering and more, they'll create a happy, holistic, brain-healthy lifestyle that's rich and meaningful.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Mary Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I totally agree with the premise of this book, I don't like the way it is executed. The author contends that retirees need to socialize, move, think, and create to stay healthy and live a longer life. I agree. He presents his arguments through pages and pages of charts -- and assigns homework! He advocates older people taking courses. During my long professiional career, I had enough of charts, homework, and courses to last a long lifetime. I'll keep active, but I won't keep track of my activities. Read this if you are close to being retired or are already there. It does have some good points (all kept track of on charts).

[Donna Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book from the Goodreads First Read Program and despite the nagging feeling I was being pitched, I must say it was an interesting read. The thought processes seemed quite sound and the author seemed genuine. I think this effectively highlights how people are often misdirected when trying to be happier, or how we're all looking to live longer, hopefully with quality of life, not just quantity and of course, in these trying times, stronger, but often in the wrong way. Who wouldn't want to live longer, or be stronger, or most of all, happier? Definitely worth the read.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended this book to my Dad who has taken several trips with Road Scholar. The author is a Senior VP for Road Scholar and includes several quotes and interviews from others who've taken Road Scholar trips. In a nutshell the book encourages the reader in practical terms how to stay a "life-long learner".

[Greta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimpy on content. THis could have been an article; it simply restates a list of ideas for retirement (volunteer, take a class, learn a language, take up gold.) All the usual suspects. Says it is based on "research" but was essentially culling information from interviews with a self-selecting group of retirees. Definitely geared toward mainstream, well-off retirees.

[David Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up. This is a nice book and one that someone might find worthwhile. The first few chapters were interesting and very informative to me. I tagged a lot of the passages and information contained in these chapters.

However, as I strived to continue on reading -- for me it become more of a sales piece for the Rhodes Scholar program than anything else. There's nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't what I had expected. It was a tough slough for me to continue to read it. I just kept putting it off until I couldn't take it any more.

I'll keep in on my bookshelf and try to read it again (who knows it just might 'click" later on).

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting guide to a successful retirement. It has actually inspired me to join a hiking group, and maybe take up bridge again.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information is very good, but many of the links are dated. It could use a new edition. I am glad I read it, it has given me a lot to do.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book after seeing it mentioned in material from Road Scholar Educational Travel for Adults. Always a chump for a book, I read reviews about this and thought it might fit the bill for this retirement life. While it was interesting and helpful in some ways, I do not think it was written for people who 1) have plenty to keep them busy, 2) live way out in the country, 3) already have want-to-do things on their bucket list. And if you've not figured it out yet, change "people" to "me." :)

That said, this book has some motivational quotes and helpful ideas, websites, and organizations.

Some interesting quotes and ideas:

I was introduced to the painting "The Voyage of Life" by Thomas Cole for the first time. Interesting.

"Use it or lose it. We walk three miles a day, because if you don't, then you can't. It's truly both physical and mental."

"Keep an open mind, never lose your sense of adventure, and be willing to be surprised. My travel mantra is: Don't expect so much that you're disappointed. Keep yourself open to the experience as it comes to you, not as you preconceive it. things I never thought would be interesting have proved to be fascinating. Some people travel with an expectation of having everything on a platter, and you don't get it on a platter. Be thankful for what you get and don't worry about the rest."

"Even reading, which we think of as a quiet and cerebral activity, contains an element of virtual socializing, especially when the book you're reading is fiction or biography."

Lifelong Learning Institutes

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Targeted at the baby boomers, this is nevertheless really good advice for anyone who wants to live life fully with good health, a sharp brain, and end life with few regrets. Peter Spiers creates a four-tiered method here for keeping us healthy: mentally, physically, creatively, and socially. As one review put it, he lays out a holistic program, targeted at people on the cusp of retirement, for a life of engagement, enrichment, and fulfillment. This is filled with people's personal examples of how they've resolved some personal problems (knees, boredom, loneliness, etc.) by taking up an instrument, joining a group, going back to school, and much, much more. Practical and do-able as well as encouraging. Many ideas presented. Only minor flaw is that a number of ideas take money to achieve, especially his clear passion for travel.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm looking forward to retirement and want to have a healthy, meaningful and enjoyable one. This book included practical advice, as well as encouraging stories of people who are thriving and loving life in their later years. The author stresses the need to include socializing, moving, creating and thinking in your life, and presents this as a matrix to measure the activities you choose to pursue. I found this a helpful tool. This book made me recognize that there are areas in which I need to challenge myself a bit more.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an energizing deliberate approach to maximizing the retirement years. The principles are sound and research-based. I defy anyone to read this and not get up out of their chair with a hearty, "Well, then!"