100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life

by Dick Van Dyke

On the eve of his 100th birthday, national treasure Dick Van Dyke brings us this autobiographical collection of stories, reflections, and life advice on how he’s maintained a zest for life.

Dick Van Dyke danced his way into our hearts with iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Now, as he’s about to turn 100 years old, Dick is still dancing and approaching life with the twinkle in his eye that we’ve come to know and love. In 100 Rules for Living to 100, he reveals his secrets for maintaining your joie de vivre and making the most out of the life you’ve been given.

Through stories of his pivotal childhood, moments on film sets, his expansive family, and finding love late in life, Dick reflects on both the joyful times and the challenges that shaped him. His indefatigable spirit and positive attitude will surely inspire readers to count the blessings in their own lives, persevere through the hard times, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of being human.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Humor, Autobiography

Audible Audio

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Dick Van Dyke, the star of Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show, has received five Emmy awards, a Tony, and a Grammy. In 2013, he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. He is also the bestselling author of My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business. He lives in Malibu, California.

Reviews

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio/ Grand Central Publishing for an ALC of this book! 



Wow, what an extraordinary and refreshing take on life. This was another "must" for me the millisecond I saw it. While my parents passed on the traditional goodie bag of traumas & mental illnesses, there were a few decent consolation prizes thrown in there. One of them being my richer tastes when it comes to the arts(imo)..Particularly when it comes to music, movies, and television. While most of my fellow 90's babies grew up watching Dawson's Creek or 7th Heaven, there I was in my grandparents basement watching old Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts on VHS. This book was right up my alley! The first time I saw Dick Van Dyke was on the Carol Burnett Variety Show and I knew the moment I saw that smile that wrapped 360° around his face, I was looking at someone special. Believe it or not every once in a while this slowly deteriorating floating rock we call Earth, does infact get blessed with a few pure souls. As was the case on December 13th 1925 when the world was given this man. You don't even have to know him personally, you can just tell. There's a happiness and pureness to this man that just radiates off of him. It's quite infectious & intoxicating if I'm being honest. And I'm so glad that this book just confirms this all for us. Personally I'm happy he talked about what it was like working on Mary Poppins. While I have always absolutely loved that movie, it is also a film I always felt had sort of a weird vibe. Like, if it wasn't for Mr Van Dyke & Julie Andrews you'd swear the film was a tragedy of some sort, not a movie for kids.. I'm glad to know I'm not in fact crazy for feeling this way. I also love how much this book had me smiling. As someone with chronic depression that's something that doesn't happen anywhere near as much as I'd like. Just more proof to add to the pudding that he is highly contagious.. This is a book that should be read by everyone, even those who don't read. There is something that can be taken away for everyone within these pages. Another celebrity who actually blows me away with just how tangible they are to the average Joe. A true national treasure whose words we should listen to while we still can!




Until next time,
Hades
🩵

[Justin Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke has always possessed an exemplary level of happiness. Seeing him just as joyful at 100 is a true inspiration. Beyond remaining in relatively good health and mental stamina, his continued childlike passion for life and humor may very well be the secret to aging gracefully.

As for the memoir, its title is somewhat misleading. This is essentially a typical celebrity memoir, with the star reflecting on key career moments. Most of the reflections are on more recent events, which I like. I adore Mary Poppins, and we get some inside scoop on the film, but I'm reading this book because I want to know about Dick Van Dyke the centurion. The blend of timelines does well to give me what I want, while also appealing to fans across all ages.

There are not "lessons" in the traditional sense, but rather a number of moments from Dick's life and career where he makes the choice to have fun in a hard situation, not let a bad thing get him down, or find inspiration in unexpected places. Combined, they form a kind of guide for not miring one's thoughts in negatively when there's so much positivity in the world.

Although written "in collaboration" with self-described ghostwriter Tal McThenia, the prose is shockingly true to Dick's in tone and delivery. The syntax is exactly right and the humor, even if largely written in by someone else, is pitch perfect. Likely much of the content originated as voice interviews, which no doubt helped.

Recent television interviews with Dick show an exceedingly coherent man capable of reflecting on everything described in the book. We don't know what the writing process was like, but between Dick's continued coherency and his much-younger wife's devotion to facts, I don't feel cheated in knowing that a 100-year-old man didn't polish every word in this 300+ page book. I also think it's great that Dick chose to work with a gay ghostwriter for the project.

While the book doesn't get too deep into politics, Dick does allude to his disappointment in the vitriol and hateful acts coming out of Washington DC. He's not shy about his support of Bernie Sanders over the last few cycles and says he's still up to lend his voice to the cause if needed. I'm not surprised to see such a joyous soul align with hopeful and optimistic politicians, but there is a big sigh of relief in knowing exactly where he stands. It would have been a real buzzkill if Bert the chimney sweep went around praising tariffs and the violent deportation of children.

Those interested in the audiobook may be disappointed to know Dick doesn't read the book himself. He does voice a brief introduction, but very quickly hands the reigns over to television personality Tom Bergeron. Tom does a great job and sounds a lot like a young Dick Van Dyke. No complaints.

Dick Van Dyke officially turns 100-years-old on December 13, 2025. Though far from the biggest star to emerge from Hollywood, he certainly seems like the happiest. There are no rules in this game of life, but I'm struggling to think of someone who's playing it better. Well done, sir.

[JoJo_theDodo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book and moved it to the front of my TBR. Just from looking at the book cover it gives off vibes of pure joy and I really felt I needed a little more joy in my reading life. The narrator for this book does an excellent job and I almost forgot that I was not listening to Dick Van Dyke all the way through the book. The stories shared are humorous, inspiring, and at times very raw. I laughed, I smiled BIG and teared up. I would occasionally pause reading the book to look up the Dick Van Dyke show, Diagnosis Murder, and the video that was done with Cold Play on YouTube. I looked up some of the music artists that Dick loves and spent time throughout my day listening to playlists on Spotify.
This book was so alive and interactive, I loved it so much! I wish Dick Van Dyke continued health and many more birthdays, he's an absolute treasure!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tara Cignarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke
Audio
Writing: B+
Info/Fact: A-
Narration: A- (Tom Bergeron reads and it and I had to focus often and remind myself it was not his story)
Best Aspect: Lots of good life lessons.
Worst Aspect: I agree with Arlene the cat and the tornado story is not one anyone wants to hear.
Recommend: Yes. Releases 11/18/2025

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to receive an advanced copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining and highly enjoyable audiobook. As a lifelong fan of Dick Van Dyke, I loved listening to him and all of his stories. He still has his humor even at 100 years old.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke has always been a favorite performer of mine. This book gave me so many insights into him. Highly entertaining and up lifting. The narrator sounded quite a bit like Dick Van Dyke. Outstanding narration. This book will make you smile and laugh out loud. It will also give you food for thought. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

This is a review of the audiobook.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This memoir is written in an incredibly creative way, structured around 100 “rules” that explore themes such as joy, redefining yourself, movement, and finding what truly makes you happy. It blends humor and inspiration effortlessly, and through it I discovered a person I knew little about. The narration by Tom Bergeron is absolutely wonderful—warm, engaging, and full of personality—which made listening to the audiobook a genuinely delightful experience. The book delivers a powerful message about joy, perseverance, and always striving to do your best, and its unique format makes those lessons feel both accessible and deeply personal.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun anecdotal book with life lessons from an entertainment icon. Is there anyone who doesn’t like Dick Van Dyke? I wouldn’t call the book especially groundbreaking, but it’s enjoyable to have some insight into his life.

Releases November 14, 2025

[Desirae · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's still singing and dancing at age 100.

Dick Van Dyke’s 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life reads less like a traditional self-help book and more like a vaudeville monologue delivered by one of America’s most beloved entertainers—one who just happens to be nearing a century of living. The book is breezy, affectionate, and unapologetically hokey, full of one-liners, simple advice, and cheerful exhortations to stay curious, keep moving, and choose joy whenever possible. It is also, beneath the tap-dancing surface, a quietly reflective reckoning with a very long and complicated life.

Van Dyke’s longevity alone gives the book its authority. He has lived through enormous cultural shifts, reinvented himself multiple times, and remained relevant across generations—from The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Poppins to late-career appearances that still radiate warmth and mischief. The “rules” themselves are often disarmingly simple: laugh every day, stretch, be nice, don’t take yourself too seriously. None of this is groundbreaking, and Van Dyke knows it. The pleasure comes not from novelty but from hearing these ideas filtered through a voice that has actually tested them over decades of success, failure, reinvention, and loss.

That said, the optimism on display can sometimes feel selective. Van Dyke tends to skate lightly over some of the more painful or morally complicated chapters of his life. He acknowledges his long struggle with alcoholism, for example, but addresses it briefly and without much excavation of the damage it caused or the effort required to overcome it. Similarly, his account of meeting and falling in love with his current wife while his previous partner was dying of terminal cancer is treated with a gentle gloss, framed as fate rather than as an emotionally fraught overlap. Readers looking for rigorous self-interrogation may find these moments frustratingly smoothed over.

Yet the book is not all sunshine and soft focus. Van Dyke allows several somber notes to break through the cheer, and these are among the most affecting passages. He writes of the sudden death of his preteen granddaughter Jessica with palpable sadness, and of the later loss of his first daughter, Stacy, in a way that feels raw despite its brevity. These moments remind the reader that no amount of positivity or success insulates a person from grief. The losses are not milked for drama, but their presence deepens the book, adding gravity to what might otherwise feel like a collection of aphorisms.

What ultimately gives 100 Rules for Living to 100 its emotional resonance is the sense that Van Dyke is, consciously or not, taking stock. While the tone remains playful, there is an undercurrent of acceptance running through the book. He seems aware that living well also means preparing to die well—not morbidly, but honestly. The emphasis on gratitude, reconciliation, and staying engaged with others feels less like generic advice and more like a man gently tying up the threads of his own story.

In the end, this is not a manual for guaranteed longevity, nor a confession-heavy memoir. It is a warm, sometimes evasive, often charming reflection from a performer who has spent a lifetime making people smile and is still, remarkably, here to tell the tale. If you accept it on those terms, Van Dyke’s “rules” feel less like instructions and more like a friendly wave from someone who has walked a very long road—and is taking a moment to look back with humor, humility, and a clear-eyed sense that the journey, for all its joy and sorrow, has been worth it.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to loved this. I really did. and to be clear, it's not bad. I just couldnt get past the entitlement of some of the stories. The concept is good and a lot of the anecdotes are great life lessons in general. Nothing in there is earth shattering, it's the personal anecdotes that make them meaningful.

My issue was with some of the stories. I get it, he's 100 years old but some of them could have been left off. For example, he was rescued on the side of the road seconds before his car literally goes up in flames and he's mad that a man pulled him out of the car because he doesn't like that people baby old people. Yes I'm paraphrasing here. But the alternative was that you get left in the car while it burns because you're too worried about your CDs to get out?

And dont get me started on his childhood home that he talks about the city residents being angry that his foundation hasnt restored and it's an eyesore, like he doesn't have the means to just pay to do it. His net worth allows him to solve the issue rather than moan about it.

And lastly he glorifies for chapters about how he didnt want to give up his independence and driving. And how his car was constantly covered in dents and scratches because he would hit and scrape things. What?! Like you and your family were aware that these things were happening?! Like how many other people's cars and property did he damage and just... oh well?!

[Elizabeth Ann Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of 100 Rules for Living to 100! I knew when I saw Dick Van Dyke was releasing another book I needed to read it! Both the book itself and the audio book exceeded expectations, both hearing Dick Van Dyke's story and hearing it through the voice of Tom Bergeron was so nostalgic. Early in I knew this book would be one of my favorite memoirs of the year!

Hearing the stories from varying decades, hearing not only the successes of his career but more importantly the times he was wrong, was so refreshing. I loved getting to get to hear more behind the man so many know for his iconic roles. I loved that each lesson was tied to a "rule" to live by! It felt like a beautiful emotional rollercoaster; I laughed, I smiled, I cried. Heavy on the crying in the last few chapters, overall it felt like a beautiful warm hug from a grandparent. I could not be more grateful not only for all the beautiful art Mr. Van Dyke has shared with us over more than half a century but even MORE grateful he was gracious enough to share all of the lessons he's learned in his life with us.

Thank you endlessly!

[Martin Maenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand Central Publishing provided an early galley for review.

Ever since my childhood, I have been a fan of Van Dyke's. I always found him to be the consumate showman and jovial person. I read his 2011 autobiography My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business and enjoyed it immensely.

Here, he recalls moments from his life, personal and professional, that each convey a "rule to live by". Most of the chapters are short (anywhere from a single page to three to four pages), making the book a good digestible read over the course of several sittings if one likes.

By the time I finished, I was left with a warm feeling in my heart. Thank you so much, Dick.

[Paula - · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for a honest review. Publication date: 18th November 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Tom Bergeron sounds so much like a young Dick Van Dyke, which definitely makes it feel more personal. While it doesn’t feel like the book has 100 rules, because it reads so quickly and easily, each ‘rule’ comes with an anecdote about Van Dykes life. I loved learning about his outlook on life. A great book, written by a great human.

[Laura and Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke- what a gem!

I absolutely loved listening to this audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job and at times I found myself needing to remember it wasn’t Dick Van Dyke himself. Although, he did read the introduction!

The stories are full of warmth, humor, reflection, and honesty. Dick takes us on an adventure and I was happy to be along for the ride.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the free eArc in exchange for my honest review.

[Harley Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.33★: UTTERLY CHARMING, GENTLY WISE, & EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK IT IS—COMFORT FOOD FOR THE SOUL, NOT A LIFE OVERHAUL. Why 4.33 and not 5.0? Four reasons:

1. I REWARD WARMTH + LIKABILITY, BUT NOT BLINDLY. My 5★ memoirs tend to combine: Emotional depth, cultural importance, and/or razor-sharp voice. This is my third D.V.D. memoir, and he absolutely nails warmth, charm, and decency— and he is NO DOUBT culturally important. But it’s not as deep as his original memoir, and he admittedly had help from his 3rd wife Arlene Silver (46 years his junior) for both memories and writing, so the voice is slightly sus.

2. “ADVICE-LITE” BOOKS CAP SLIGHTLY LOWER FOR ME. Of my 60+ celebrity memoirs, inspirational/reflective books average ~4.45★, while narrative-heavy or emotionally raw memoirs average higher. This book is: short, aphoristic, gentle, and low-conflict. That usually costs ~0.5★ compared to a full memoir with stakes.

3. I PENALIZE LOW NOVELTY, EVEN WHEN I LOVE THE PERSON. I ❤️ beloved figures... Carol Burnett, Dolly Parton, Goldie Hawn, etc. But I still dock points when the content feels familiar, safe, or repetitive. 'Be kind, stay curious, laugh daily' = agreeable, not mind-blowing. The three new things I learned were on the dark side [spoiler alert]: the death of his 13-year-old granddaughter, and the death of his daughter Stacy (the latter of which is still in rumor status online despite happening years ago) and his ability to be what sounded like a crotchety critic (although he has certainly earned that).

4. UNMET EXPECTATIONS: I didn’t actually dock points for this (out of fairness, since he didn’t get my memo about what to put in this book lol), but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed. I expected more humor and inspiration, and less decline and sadness. He has outlived nearly everyone from his generation; all his friends are dead ☠️. Including his first wife Margie who he was married to for 36 years, and his partner Michelle who he was with for ~33 years... I mean most people are lucky to have ONE relationship last that long and he’s had two! And of course at 100 years old, he’s going to have some physical ailments and limitations. But there was one issue with his health that just broke my heart [spoiler alert]: the loss of his vision to the extent that he cannot read books anymore. 💔 Now I have cared for elders for over 28 years, including my 78yo grandma (mom’s mom), a 95yo stroke victim, and my 93yo grandma (dad’s mom). I’ve seen firsthand what happens when gravity wins, but Dick is supposed to continue high kicking, prat falling, rubber-limb flailing, bouncy walking, script reading, and voice booming. This book caused mourning 😭; he is supposed to be immortal.

WHERE THIS BOOK SOARS:
🦅 Earned authority: his elder wisdom feels lived-in, not preachy
🦅 Tone alignment: optimism is sincere and unpretentious
🦅 A voice double! 70-year-old TV personality, game show host, comedian, and narrator Tom Bergeron sounds just like a 70-year-old D.V.D. He was PERFECT .

I just absolutely adore Dick Van Dyke. I had been waiting for this book for over four months prior to its 11/18/25 publication (and really wish I could find an autographed copy). My kids and I went out to breakfast with my parents to celebrate his 100th birthday on 12/13/25. We also watched the new PBS documentary on him that day, where for the first time I saw the clip of him and Carol Burnett old-people-fighting and was amazed yet again. My kids and I (well, mostly my son and I) listened to this book on the drive back from my parents’ house on Christmas Eve. Then we watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 🚗🚗💥💥 on Christmas morning. I hadn’t ever watched that full movie, and the Puppet Dance... WOW! It was SO ASTONISHING, I had to look-up whether this 1968 production had wires, rigging, or some other 57-year-old optical effects. It did NOT... it was purely Dick’s impeccable timing, elite mime-style isolation control, and elastic gait. What looks like a technical trick is actually just a human body doing something it has no business doing that well. I could just soak him up for weeks on end, especially when the rest of the world can be so dreary. For that, I will end with my Ode to Dick Van Dyke, to show my gratitude to him, and to leave a love letter of sorts for my kids to read some day...

WHO IS DICK VAN DYKE⁉️
💡 — One of humanity’s better ideas, collectively adopted
⚖️ — A reminder of how lightness can still carry weight
🌞 — A durable delight that can survive any mood swing
🛡️ — The essence of Caractacus, a child-centered hero
😌 — A presence who lowers the room’s blood pressure
🎶 — An extraordinary being with song-and-dance DNA
📺 — A universal adoptee beloved across generations
⏳ — The long game of likability, flawlessly played
🌎 — Part of the planet’s emotional infrastructure
⭐ — The rare kind of famous that feels personal
🎩 — The epitome of classy, charming showmanship
🎁 — A reliable, perpetual gift of uplift & love
🎭 — A master of physical comedy and ottomans
🕺 — A living archive of jollity and motion
👴 — A century-long case study in decency
😄 — A shared inheritance of genuine joy
✨ — A sparkly international treasure
📤 — An export of wholesome optimism
🕊️ — A fine example of amazing grace
🌱 — A resilient, beautiful soul
☂️ — Mr. Mary Poppins, always

100 Rules for Living to 100 was published five weeks ago and currently has a 4.39-star average by 680 GR peeps. If you love Dick Van Dyke, it’s a must read/listen.

[Lizzy Lankford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When darkness creeps in, turn on the magic”

Just stunning. This book was so much fun. I laughed, I cried and I learned so much about Dick Van Dyke. He was so much more than Bert the Chimney Sweep (Literally! He was also Mr. Dawes!), he has lived and is continuing to live such a full and wonderful life full of so much love, happiness but also heartbreak.

His upbeat spirit was palpable the entire book and just made you smile. He wasn’t afraid to fail and i think what’s so inspiring. Each time, he dusted himself off and got right back to work.

The behind the scenes glimpses were so cool, I loved learning so much about his professional career and how he got his start. From being a magician to performing on broadway to acting. DVD is a multifaceted entertainment powerhouse. Finding out he was almost James Bond was absolutely crazy, I can’t imagine what a funny James Bond would’ve looked like, but I’m sad that we may never know.

Tom Bergeron was the perfect narrator. The way he told Dick Van Dyke’s stories was so beautiful. The voices and inflection he used just added so much to this book.

I loved this book so much. I will cherish it and recommend it to everyone. Thank you so much to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this arc. I’m so very grateful.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this TREMENDOUSLY. It was such a beautiful story where he’s very frank about his alcoholism, his fight for what’s right, and the importance of caring about and for those around you. He’s had such an incredible life and career and you’d be hard pressed to not smile your way through this incredible story.

[Laura Muellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual with Dick Van Dyke books, I listened to this. I was mildly disappointed that it was not narrated by the author, but he is 100, and Tom Bergeron did a good job capturing Dick's personality. It was a bittersweet read; I have been consuming as much as I can for his 100th birthday last Saturday, and in many ways this continues his upbeat, optimistic legacy. Once in awhile, however, the truth of his health and age peek through. I think this was my favorite of his books, and I would recommend it to anyone who is even a passing fan of his.

[chels marieantoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet memoir! I’ll be honest, I never watched much Dick Van Dyke anything except maybe classic movies with my grandma when I was little, but I love a memoir and thought one by a 100-year-old self-described optimist would be an interesting listen. I was pleasantly surprised to hear him describe his trans assistant, using proper pronouns, and address climate change. Though I haven’t read his other memoirs, I found it refreshing that he revisited some past-told stories with new reflection - a true testament to never stop learning and growing in life.
I think this is a really refreshing, quick, easy memoir with simple platitudes and sweet stories. He’s a humble family man with an obsession for Halloween and a vigor for life most people half his age don’t possess. I listened to this while running a challenging, hilly 15k race and I felt truly inspired. I look forward to looking more into this wonderful man.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first man outside my family I ever loved was Dick Van Dyke. No one—and I mean no one—was more charming than Bert, the chimneysweep/one-man band/sidewalk artist extraordinaire. Once I discovered The Dick Van Dyke Show reruns, that was it for me. Game over. All these years later, he still has a special little corner of my heart.

100 Rules for Living to 100 isn’t really a rulebook—it’s more like a masterclass in how to be effortlessly beloved. The stories run the full emotional spectrum: you’ll laugh until you cry, and then you’ll cry until you’re laughing again. From his days as a proud big brother to Jerry, to early career highs and personal lows, to reflections on wildfires and aging, it’s part memoir, part love letter to a remarkable life.

Fair warning: keep tissues handy for the final chapters. As he looks ahead to his 100th birthday, he also looks back—with tenderness, honesty, and that signature twinkle. He’s exactly who you always hoped he was. He still is.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book—and thank you, Dick Van Dyke, for being everything.

[Gary Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Dick Van Dyke!

[Greg Jablonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun easy reading book by lifelong optimist Dick Van Dyke who just turned 100. The main message is don’t let the bad things that happen to you in life define you. Words for all of us to live by.

[Bayleigh Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! I learned so much about Dock Van Dyke’s life as well as many life lessons!!

[Carrie Jacobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treat to hear all of Mr. Van Dyke's stories and humorous takes on things, even hard things.

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just made me love Dick Van Dyke even more. His humor hasn’t gone anywhere with his age. I absolutely loved this books! Thanks NetGallery!

[Rachel Dury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

Loved the charming anecdotes and I aspire to have the optimistic and upbeat attitude Van Dyke possesses. His life lessons are great reminders.

I enjoyed learning more behind the scenes facts about his family and experiences on Broadway, movies, and TV.

[Jessica Tengco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently listened to 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life to honor Dick Van Dyke on his 100th birthday. It is a beautiful reminder that staying curious, kind, and creative is the real fountain of youth. He really is the epitome of joy and magic.

[Ellyn → Allonsythornraxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

30/11/2025
4.5 ⭐
I only found out about this book 3 days ago while watching an interview with Dick Van Dyke, but I immediately knew I had to read it. DVD is just such a ray of positivity and such a big part of my childhood that I really felt drawn to this book. I will admit, I was a bit disappointed when I realised that only the introduction was narrated by Dick Van Dyke (I listened to the audiobook), but the narrator they got has a voice so eerily similar to Dick Van Dyke when he was younger that I very quickly forgot that I was ever disappointed. This book had me chucking, reminiscing and tearing up, and I really think this is one of the rare non-fictions that I'll reread in the future. Highly recommend this one if you like DVD as a person, or if you were ever obsessed with Mary Poppins or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (still one of my all-time favourite movies to this day) as a kid, because he does talk about them quite a lot.

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[Ammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke and narrated by Tom Bergeron on audio, and it was absolutely delightful.

Growing up in a Disney household, the Wonderful World of Disney was a Sunday night staple. And later, with the arrival of basic cable in our household, the Disney Channel was played pretty consistently around the clock. Living in a family of 5 boys, Mary Poppins was more about Burt the chimney sweep than the titular heroine. Dick Van Dyke’s madcap antics, toe-tapping numbers, and that famously endearing (if thoroughly botched) cockney accent made the movie for me.

Van Dyke’s latest memoir-meets-self-help manual dishes out 100 rules for wringing the most joy from every chapter of life. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t glean much actionable advice. Self-help is not the book’s strong suit, but that hardly matters. The irresistible energy and cheer that Dick embodies comes through in every story, whether he’s reminiscing about Hollywood adventures, family hijinks, or battling personal demons.

He’s candid about hard times (alcoholism, addiction, heartbreak) but he's never bitter. Instead, there’s more than a little vulnerability and a steady optimism that lifts each chapter above your usual celebrity memoir. The book offers memorable behind-the-scenes moments from The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins (including how Walt Disney rescued “Step in Time” from the chopping block), and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Age has its costs; macular degeneration has robbed Van Dyke of a cherished pleasure: reading. Audiobooks have stepped in (ironically), but he laments missing out on certain favorite reads.

I've never been a big fan of Tom Bergeron. His brand of milquetoast humor and game show banter have never resonated with me. He nailed the performance in this instance, however. If you squint your ears just a bit, you’d swear you’re listening to Dick Van Dyke himself. Bergeron sounded so much like him in performance and delivery that I found myself forgetting that the author didn't actually read the book.

Rating:
Story: 🕺🕺🕺🕺
Narration: 🕺🕺🕺🕺
Overall: 🕺🕺🕺🕺

100 Rules for Living to 100 is a perfect listen for road trips where you need something that is all-ages appropriate, sure to keep everyone entertained and smiling, from grandparents to grandkids. Just don’t expect life-changing insights or advice.

Disclaimer: Received a free advance reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.