Bolder: Life Lessons from People Older and Wiser Than You

by Dominique Afacan, Helen Cathcart (Photographer)

Bolder is on a mission to change perceptions about growing older. Ageing is a constant for all of us, every minute, every hour, every day. And ... gasp, it can be fun. This book captures a journey to find people aged 70 and older who are still creating, inspiring, or working, and who make old age look like a great place to be. One of the stories features a woman who fell in love and married aged 82. Another features a man who swims a mile in the Mediterranean Sea every morning, aged 85. All of the interviewees featured are engaged with and excited by the world around them. And so many of them cite the happiest age of their lives as now, not then.

Genres: Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2019

Reviews

[Jahnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ageing is a privilege and a blessing. 

I laud projects like this one, where people are interviewed, their life stories featured, and their practical wisdom highlighted. I am especially fond of this book because it features older people who continue to prove themselves as active and engaged participants in life.

The people interviewed and featured in this book are already in their 70s and 80s, yet they are still thriving and very much in love with life and the art of living. The insights and lessons they generously share carry the weight of decades of experience.

Ageing may come with limitations, but living can remain limitless. "Bolder" is an inspiring and uplifting book that makes us live well today so we can age better.

Here are my favorites pieces of advice:
🔹"Never feel sorry for yourself and never give in." 
🔹"Stay involved, stay curious. There is so much to see in the world."
🔹"It takes so little to lift other people up." 
🔹"... I am interested in life. Be tolerant and don't judge people too quickly." 
🔹"That's a good lesson for life. Ask questions." 
🔹"The worst thing for me would be to just exist. The world is so rich. There is so much you can do." 
🔹"You've got to give as much as you take." 
🔹 "... when you're no longer curious, you become old." 
🔹"I wish I had been defiant and spoken up for myself." 
🔹"If you're bored, you're boring." 
🔹" Loving without attachment is the real thing; when there's nothing to gain, nothing to seek."
🔹"How you die is a serious matter, but death isn't."
🔹"I wanted to carry on improving."
🔹"Death is coming, but it's not a problem. Everything is in the hands of God. I just want to live nicely and enjoy my family."

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Stay involved, stay curious. There is so much to see in the world.” Alicia, 72
“Never feel sorry for yourself and never give in.” Rita, 87
“Look for challenges and live in the moment.” Ellery, 73
“Cram it all in, do as much as you can, in every aspect of your life.” Marion, 80
“Be positive and never give in.” Muffie, 87

I was particularly impressed with the section on the tradesmen and other manual workers, and also the part with the low paid workers, cue: canned laughter. Only kidding, this reads like a fleshed out feature you would find in an upmarket lifestyle magazine aimed primarily at bored, rich white people. There’s a real smug, middle class feel to this which really grated on my nerves.

Yes there are some inspiring people in here with worthwhile stories to share and of course its intentions are admirable, but its methods and subjects are far from broad ranging. This is mostly a very selective, narrow and largely privileged part of society within a certain tax bracket and so the take home message could also be, make sure you choose your parents carefully. Also of the 28 people interviewed, 25 were white.

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! At first glance, this book appears to be a lovely collection of photographs of the elderly that would sit beautifully on your coffee table. But in fact, it is so much more. Don't get me wrong - the photography really is stunning and complements the elegant design throughout the book, and it has made a wonderful addition to my coffee table, but the stories are what really transform this book from something pretty to something genuinely inspiring. And there's a lot of them. Unlike many books of its kind which are light on the content and heavy on the filler, Bolder is chocka with inspiring stories, interviews and reflective pieces on what it means to age. It's positive but never feels contrived or rose-tinted. It's all about real people and real stories that have real impact on how you view ageing. I devoured it - and then bought a second copy for my mum. A perfect gift!

[Eleonora David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant coffee table book with inspiring stories and straight talk from vibrant seniors, to help exorcise the fear of growing old.
It was a welcome surprise to find the Glastonbury founder among the interviewees.

[Scout X · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful project that radiates positivity

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting

[Monika Niewiadomska · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book it is! Truly inspiring and uplifting stories of the real, beautiful people.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and positive.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, beautiful book

[Megan Finney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really brilliant and uplifting, would recommend for everyone