What Should I Do with the Rest of My Life?: True Stories of Finding Success, Passion, and New Meaning in the Second Half of Life by Bruce Frankel

by Bruce Frankel

An award-winning journalist offers exhilarating tales of "late bloomers" who prove that it's never too late to sign a new lease on life In today's world, the question "What should I do with my life?" only scratches the surface. Now, more and more people-from baby boomers retiring from their "first act" to people in their forties and fifties forced to reconsider their careers in this gloomy economy-are finding themselves wondering how to find new stimulation and meaningful work over a lifetime. Bringing together a diverse array of stories, veteran journalist Bruce Frankel brings to life a mesmerizing series of profiles of men and women who discovered a new calling, success, or purpose later in life. Brimming with inspiration and humanity, "What Should I Do With the Rest of My Life?" celebrates activists, artists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and others who found extraordinary ways to experience true fulfillment in the second half of life. On these pages, readers will meet a civil servant, laid off at age fifty-two, who enrolled in graduate school, earning a Ph.D. in psychology; a former consultant who began a microfinance program in Africa; a longtime contact-lens grinder who has chisled twelve hundred stone heads on a property now known as the "Easter Island of the Hudson"; and many others who proved that age is a spark-not a barrier. Full of spirit and plenty of chutzpah, this book shows that anything is possible in any stage of life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Inspirational

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Bruce Frankel is author of the book, What Should I Do with the Rest of My Life? True Stories of Finding Success, Passion, and New Meaning in the Second Half of Life.

Bruce Frankel is a co-writer of World War II: History’s Greatest Conflict in Pictures (2001), a New York Times bestseller. From 1997 to 2001, he was a senior writer at People magazine. From 1989 to 1996, he was the national news reporter in New York for USA Today, where he covered major breaking news and trials, politics, organized crime and terrorism. He began his career in journalism at Gannett Westchester Newspapers, in White Plains, New York, where he won numerous awards for depth reporting, spot news, and columns.

He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, with an MFA in poetry, in 2003, and from Franklin & Marshall College, with a degree in government, in 1971. Born in Miami Beach, he grew up in nearby Hollywood, Florida until age 11 when his family moved to Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and later to Long Beach, New York, where he attended high school.

He now lives in New York City. He is the father of three sons — a musician, a chef, and a high school sophomore — and the owner of two mini dachshunds and a 17-year-old cat.

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the leading edge of the "baby boom" which is now going to create a "retirement boom" in the coming years as time marches on. There's going to be a lot of talent and energy in this coming wave. Is it all going to be expended on the golf course and at the bingo parlor? I hope not.

Thus it is interesting to read the short biographies in this book of thirteen men and women who later in life discovered a new calling, success or purpose. It was inspirational to see how these people's lives certainly didn't end with retirement. They provide a demonstration of how the skills of the "retired" can be repurposed to become positive contributors to the world in which we life.

The subtitle of this book is more descriptive of the book's contents than the main title that makes it sound like a "self-help" book. If this book functions as a self help book it will be because of what the reader brings to the stories. The book is made up of thirteen short stories of people who didn't conclude that the game was over when they neared retirement age. Instead they started the second half of their lives doing exceptional things. Perhaps not everybody can be blessed with the health and energy needed to achieve great things. Nevertheless, there's plenty of room for all of us to consider our options and seek options that are opened up by the new circumstances of retirement.

The value in reading these stories is in the general spirit shown by those who's stories are being told. The reader shouldn't expect to to find examples of activities to use as patterns for ones self. The stories tend to be unique to the circumstances and talents of these individuals. At least for me I found the stories interesting, but not recipes that I want to follow.

I found the writing of good quality and the manner in which the stories are revealed to the reader well done. But it wasn't the sort of book with which I can closely identify. Thus let me explain what my star rating system means:

Three Stars -- I liked it.
Four Stars -- I really liked it.
Five Stars -- I was emotionally moved by it
One or Two Stars -- You can guess.

I read this book to participate in a book discussion group organized by Next Chapter Kansas City which is an organization with the goal to provide individuals age 50+ opportunities for learning, employment and meaningful community engagement. It's an organization with which my wife is very much involved.

[Yoonmee · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the premise of the book is great (people who find success, happiness, a passion, etc. after age 60), the book itself isn't as interesting as I'd hoped it would be. Many of the stories read very slowly, which is disappointing. Most disappointing of all is the lack of diversity. Almost all of the profiled individuals are white with the majority of them living in the East Coast (or, at least, east of Chicago). This book could have been a lot better, but I just don't think I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Kerry Shoji · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho hum. Another book with stories or seniors in retirement meant to inspire. Not that it's bad, but not what I was looking for. I was hoping for more of a "how to" on retirement - how I can give back and enjoy it, how can I stay connected with friends and make new ones, I've always wanted to...(fill in the blank).

I found the book that discusses these questions - Smart Women Don't Retire - They Break Free from the Transition Newwork much better an answering these questions.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of stories, but it didn't help me answer the question.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good inspirational stories. Not necessarily helpful to choosing something for yourself.

[Helynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For people looking for a career change or some meaningful post-retirement employment or projects, this collection of true-life stories of people who all made a major switch in direction after age 50 (or more) is very inspirational. Bruce Frankel has interviewed 13 different people, provided a detailed life sketch of each one, and described the joy and fulfillment each has found in his/her late-life activities. These ambitious older folk are involved in a wide variety of activities, and some of them are not just in the "second half of life," but more like in their last tenth of life! Many of the people in the book have the same attitude as Dana Dakin, who, after she turned 60, decided that "life is lived in thirds--first to learn, then to earn, and last to return" (67). Dakin set up a money-lending business to help small businesswomen in Ghana, and also divided her time between Africa and her new home in Wilmot Flat, New Hampshire, where she became active in improving that small community. Ira and Barbara Smith created a "household goods recyling ministry" (good used stuff, like on Craig's List, only free). They swear their charitable activities keep them healthy and vigorous. "While they are conscious of their advancing age, Barbara and Ira are convinced that the daily suprises of their activity, the demans of its labor, and the appreciative interactions with a loving and diverse chunk of humanity--volunteers and clients alike--reward them with physical, cognitive, and spiritual health" (257). One woman became a champion runner after age 60, another woman bought and renovated an old diner, which is now famous for her homemade pies, and another started collecting objects of erotic art, and now has them displayed in her own museum. These are my two favorite stories: Harry Bernstein always wanted to be a freelance writer, but never had much luck until he was 97 years old, when he published a memoir about his remarkable life. After that, he published two more books, and was still going strong typing away at his computer at age 99! Dr. Robert Iadeluca lost his job after decades of working for the state of New York, but managed to earn his his Ph.D. in psychology at age 59. He is still a sought-after counselor in his eighties. Other chapters describe a man who became a dancer later in life, another who found an avocation carving heads out of large pieces of stone, and an African-American woman who, at age 87, is America's oldest National Park Service ranger. I thought the life sketches of each person became a little tedious after the first two or three chapters. But, of course, one needs a description of what these people did before their middle and old age to fully appreciate how they were able to move on and find even better fulfillment in their golden years. All in all, these stories are all a great impetus for making one's own old age productive and happy.

[Judy Beaudette]

This was one of those books that I found while wandering around the library in search of my daughter. Since I have moved back to the Puget Sound area, I've found myself asking myself this book's title all too often, although typically it includes an expletive and some reference to my self-perceived mediocre middle-aged-ness. In my imagination, I still have some time to act on dreams I'v dreamed most my adult life (although maybe I will let go of Mt. Everest for this lifetime and focus more on growing the perfect tomato--I LOVE a summertime tomato--or traveling in Costa Rica with my best friend). At any rate, I found myself turning page after page and not getting bored. I liked the characters (real-life Joes who got fired up about something post 55 years old) and the writing was good. I definitely think this is one of those books that speaks to a specific crowd (middle-aged, mid-level successful folks who have lived a life differently than what they perhaps always held in their mind's eye). If you are one of those people, I'd recommend it. What I loved most about this book is that it affirms the myriad positive aspects of living life into old age and the human spirit that never ever gives up.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a friend when I retired -- good choice, Moe. Well-written and thorough, each chapter introduces an older person who has become successful after age 60. Included are such people as artists, athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, etc., and each one overcomes adversity to shine. These stories of real people are honest and inspiring. As the author states, the book "should be required reading for anyone starting out, laid off, downsized, or just ready for reinvention." I even recommended a teacher use the first one with her high school students; it chronicles the story of Margie Stoll who didn't begin running until the eve of her 60th birthday, yet has won numerous awards since then, and was ranked in 2006 as the number one over sixty-five runner in the U.S. in the 800 m., 1500 m., and 5000 m. distances and as the number two runner in the 400 meter. What impresses me even more is that she finds the time to help younger runners, too. As Thoreau wrote, "Age does not of itself limit or enable us. The choice is ours."

[Rome Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book What Should I do with the Rest of My Life? by author Bruce Frankel had made me realize that it’s never too late to start or pursue things you’ve always wanted to do. The changes that had occurred in my life these past months have given me some time to question important things in my life. I guess it relates to me more towards the career change. As a new SAHM, adjusting to my current situation has been one of my biggest challenges. For one, I’ve been working since I was fifteen and never took a career break. Now, I don’t have a job, I don’t earn my own money, and as far as career goes, I think I’ll have to start over. Next, I’ve stayed in the same career path for years and pursued all the necessary trainings. Now, I will probably have to retrain myself in a new field. After reading this book, it made me feel a lot less worried about my current situation in terms of my career. I’m inspired to start a new venture and to continuously evolve as a person. No matter my age is I will continue to grow.

[Eliza Fayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge sucker for real life stories. You can throw all the theory at me you like, but I want to see the rubber hit the road. Where real people accomplish real things. What Should I Do With The Rest Of My Life?, by Bruce Frankel, is chock full of real people accomplishing very real things.

And the truly unique part about their stories? These accomplishments occurred after what we traditionally think of as retirement age.

Thirteen people are profiled, with accomplishments ranging from physical to artistic to political to entrepreneurial. All ordinary people who discovered passions after sixty.

To read the full review visit http://silverandgrace.com/book-review...

[Cindy Jacobsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this book off and on over the past few months; losing interest, reading something else, picking it up and getting into a story, losing interest, etc... Yes, I liked it overall; a few of the people portrayed really spoke to and inspired me as I come to the end of my career and think about retirement. The best message from this book is that there is a vibrant, exciting, fulfilling life after sixty if you are willing to find it. Oddly it was the story of Loretta Thayer and her diner that opened my thoughts to possibilities for my own future. Worth reading if you are leaving your fifties.

[Kristen Nace · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book the author interviews an assortment of people over the age of 65 who have undergone some sort of major transformation in their later years. The focus is on careers/hobbies etc, as opposed to relationships, although these are often transformed as well. The author offers no thoughts or analysis as to why or how, he just lets the people tell their stories. I found it interesting and hopeful.

[Sally Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting stories but I found that I didn't really care.

[Korinmatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting stories about people following their passions. slow reader though--one story at a time over a few weeks

[Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just OK to me. It was not very exciting. I felt like I was reading short inspirational stories from Women's Day magazine.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great concept, but it was more like a collection of AARP articles.