The View from Ninety: Reflections on How to Live a Long, Contented Life

by Charles B. Handy

FROM THE BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF THE EMPTY RAINCOAT AND UNDERSTANDING ORGANISATIONS.

Over a span of seven decades, Charles Handy was, variously, a businessman, a writer, a philanthropist and a philosopher. Not even a stroke as he approached the age of 90 dimmed his intellectual curiosity or his immense zest for life.

In this, his final book, written from the vantage point of a contemplative old age and drawing on his articles for The Idler he shares his thoughts on the big questions with which we all

What things really matter?
What daily worries should we learn to treat as unimportant?
How do we become more accepting of ourselves and of those around us?
How do we discover purpose in our everyday existence? How do we cope with grief and loss?


Drawing in part on his own experience, in part on the wisdom of others, he sets out the principles of enjoying a fulfilled and contented life, and gently points the way to the practicalities of achieving it.

Genres: Management

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2025

About the author

Charles Brian Handy was an Irish author and philosopher who specialised in organizational behavior and management. Among the ideas he advanced are the "portfolio career" and the "shamrock organization" (in which professional core workers, freelance workers and part-time/temporary routine workers each form one leaf of the "shamrock").
Handy was rated among the Thinkers 50, a private list of the most influential living management thinkers. In 2001, he was second on this list, behind Peter Drucker, and in 2005, he was tenth. When the Harvard Business Review had a special issue to mark the publication's 50th anniversary Handy, Peter Drucker, and Henry Mintzberg were asked to write special articles.
In July 2006, Handy was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Law by Trinity College Dublin.

Reviews

[Lukas Moment · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Oscar Wilde wrote in paragraphs rather than stanza’s

Very thought provoking book I will certainly recommend to a few people.

Encourages considered self reflection but without being forceful

Some excerpts I highlighted:

So to my grandchildren I say this: experiment in your twenties before you have a family and a mortgage, because then if you fail it doesn’t matter and you’ll learn a lot from your mistakes. Get on whatever train you think might be interesting and see where it takes you.

So when you think you’ve got a solution, assume that it could be better, doubt that it is right. And discipline yourself to choose at least another two possible answers, to test it.

My wife led a well-lived, well-loved life. And I can’t think of anything more successful than that–more valuable than all the money in the world.

To be interesting is, in a way, to be beautiful.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these easy readable but often in-depth mini chapters of advice and guidance from this wise old man. Written in his 90th year, managing life well and living a good happy life which he deserved and planned for during his ever changing, often exciting life and career. Taking opportunities offered to him as he thrived in placing his family first, benefitting from the rewards of this and thus enabling his senior years to be content and harmonious.
And think we all need some Jabberwocky… or Edward Lear…

[Tiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 24hour read, this was an incredible insight into what matters in life from personal life, work life, friendships, family and in life and death. An incredible look into how a persons experience leaves a legacy, how culture impacts our attitudes into life and how chasing your dreams and a slower life brings joy and fulfillment. Lots of useful advice, some less useful, but overall a lovely philosophical perspective.

[Maxi-Dixie Normous · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful easy meaningful read.

[Amina The Wanderlust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, I loved it. *Suddenly hugs the air.* ✨