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The Second Half: Forty Women Reveal Life After Fifty
A frank, honest, and insightful look into the lives of women over fifty.
The Second Half explores, in photographic portraits and interviews, how the second half of life is experienced by women from many different cultures. From a French actress to a British novelist, from an Algerian nomad to a Saudi Arabian doctor, and an American politician, Ellen Warner traveled all over the world to interview women about their lives. She asked them what they learned in the first half that was helpful in the second, and what advice they would give to younger women. Their revealing and inspiring stories are enlightening for all readers, and are illustrated by Warner’s stunning portraits which tell their own story.
The Second Half explores, in photographic portraits and interviews, how the second half of life is experienced by women from many different cultures. From a French actress to a British novelist, from an Algerian nomad to a Saudi Arabian doctor, and an American politician, Ellen Warner traveled all over the world to interview women about their lives. She asked them what they learned in the first half that was helpful in the second, and what advice they would give to younger women. Their revealing and inspiring stories are enlightening for all readers, and are illustrated by Warner’s stunning portraits which tell their own story.
- GenresNonfictionWomens
257 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 4, 2023
As a woman in my early forties, I have become more interested in learning about the aging process and how one’s perspective changes as they get older.
In “The second half” forty women reveal life after fifty, the women highlighted are located in various locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Spain.
The book consists of foreword, an introduction from the author, followed by a profile of each woman focusing on their upbringing, past life, and how they describe their second half of life (aka life after fifty.)
In each of the profiles, the woman highlighted share their life stories. As each woman tells her life story, she also answers questions on how she feel she’s changed over the years, what gives her pleasure in the past and present, what was her happiest and saddest time, how she views her future, how would she like to be remembered, and what advice would she give to younger women.
I liked that the table of contents is clear and informative since it provides the reader with the name of the woman, her birth year, age when interviewed, profession, and location.
As I read this book, I realized the importance of accepting becoming older, being independent, the power of friendships, paring away things that no longer serve you, as well as how past worries fall away such as how one looks. Life is not defined by the job you have but it is defined by the life you live and those that you impact.
The book is informative in that some of the women are history makers such as the first farrier in North America licensed to shoe thoroughbred horse as well as the first French woman TV anchor, and bridesmaid to Queen Elizabeth II but also includes everyday women who have been nomads, housewives and housekeepers.
As I read the book, I enjoyed learning about the fascinating experiences of each of the women highlighted as well as how life experiences can vary based on the country in which one lives. The addition of black and white photos adds a level of humanity and depth to the profiles and shows the beauty that comes through getting older.
While the photos capture a moment in time, the author also manages to capture the thoughts and attitudes at that time. Despite differences in location and life experiences, the women do come to the consensus that they view the second half of life as being better than the second half of life, regardless of life’s up and downs.
In “The second half” forty women reveal life after fifty, the women highlighted are located in various locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Spain.
The book consists of foreword, an introduction from the author, followed by a profile of each woman focusing on their upbringing, past life, and how they describe their second half of life (aka life after fifty.)
In each of the profiles, the woman highlighted share their life stories. As each woman tells her life story, she also answers questions on how she feel she’s changed over the years, what gives her pleasure in the past and present, what was her happiest and saddest time, how she views her future, how would she like to be remembered, and what advice would she give to younger women.
I liked that the table of contents is clear and informative since it provides the reader with the name of the woman, her birth year, age when interviewed, profession, and location.
As I read this book, I realized the importance of accepting becoming older, being independent, the power of friendships, paring away things that no longer serve you, as well as how past worries fall away such as how one looks. Life is not defined by the job you have but it is defined by the life you live and those that you impact.
The book is informative in that some of the women are history makers such as the first farrier in North America licensed to shoe thoroughbred horse as well as the first French woman TV anchor, and bridesmaid to Queen Elizabeth II but also includes everyday women who have been nomads, housewives and housekeepers.
As I read the book, I enjoyed learning about the fascinating experiences of each of the women highlighted as well as how life experiences can vary based on the country in which one lives. The addition of black and white photos adds a level of humanity and depth to the profiles and shows the beauty that comes through getting older.
While the photos capture a moment in time, the author also manages to capture the thoughts and attitudes at that time. Despite differences in location and life experiences, the women do come to the consensus that they view the second half of life as being better than the second half of life, regardless of life’s up and downs.
April 28, 2022
Ugh.
In the Forward, Erica Jong suggests that women must celebrate their laugh lines. However, on the backflap photo, I noticed that there are no such lines on our author/photographer, and she must be 75 years old. (She started her career in 1969, after graduating from college, so she's ___?)
What's up with that?
Oh, yeah. It's a vanity project!
"I've got some cool, old photos that I wish I could do something with ... (sigh).
Hey, I've got a publisher friend ...!!!
But I've got to have an idea, and a sexy title to sell a book of these photos...."
Most of the interviews are over 10 years old. Many over 15 years old.
Most of the photos are of white women, some who did modeling, and 2 actresses.
Most of these white women have money, or come from money.
One of the most interesting women is a chapter late in the book, the poet laureate of Connecticut. Her interview took place in 2020. I feel she was thrown in at the last minute to unsuccessfully balance those chapters of white women from Paris (10 out of 40).
And, strangely, there is a working-class white woman from Palm Beach - a manicurist!
What does this say about the photographer/author?
"Gee, the only working-class white woman I could find (with a captivating face and story) was in Palm Beach." ???
I know. I get it. These women are women that the photographer was exposed to, for a number of different reasons. They are not a random sampling of the population.
But, why not? Why not make a book with more subjects that women can relate to?
Or was it truly that the publisher thought only rich, white women would buy such a book?!?
That being said, many of the photographs are nice. I especially liked the ones of Perla Servan-Schreiber: balanced in her space. And, I LOVE the photos of Modestine Brown. In the first one, she looks wary. ("I'm not sure I want to show you myself.") But the second one, with her collection, she is relaxed. (I wish it were on my laptop so I could zoom-in on her face, because I suspect there is a twinkle in her eye!)
But some are just a face, and don't give us enough to understand the personality of her subject. I guess this is why there is a narrative.
Anyway, if you are on the fence about this one, fall off on the side of leaving it on the shelf.
I am glad I didn't pay for this, but I am sorry that my public library did.
In the Forward, Erica Jong suggests that women must celebrate their laugh lines. However, on the backflap photo, I noticed that there are no such lines on our author/photographer, and she must be 75 years old. (She started her career in 1969, after graduating from college, so she's ___?)
What's up with that?
Oh, yeah. It's a vanity project!
"I've got some cool, old photos that I wish I could do something with ... (sigh).
Hey, I've got a publisher friend ...!!!
But I've got to have an idea, and a sexy title to sell a book of these photos...."
Most of the interviews are over 10 years old. Many over 15 years old.
Most of the photos are of white women, some who did modeling, and 2 actresses.
Most of these white women have money, or come from money.
One of the most interesting women is a chapter late in the book, the poet laureate of Connecticut. Her interview took place in 2020. I feel she was thrown in at the last minute to unsuccessfully balance those chapters of white women from Paris (10 out of 40).
And, strangely, there is a working-class white woman from Palm Beach - a manicurist!
What does this say about the photographer/author?
"Gee, the only working-class white woman I could find (with a captivating face and story) was in Palm Beach." ???
I know. I get it. These women are women that the photographer was exposed to, for a number of different reasons. They are not a random sampling of the population.
But, why not? Why not make a book with more subjects that women can relate to?
Or was it truly that the publisher thought only rich, white women would buy such a book?!?
That being said, many of the photographs are nice. I especially liked the ones of Perla Servan-Schreiber: balanced in her space. And, I LOVE the photos of Modestine Brown. In the first one, she looks wary. ("I'm not sure I want to show you myself.") But the second one, with her collection, she is relaxed. (I wish it were on my laptop so I could zoom-in on her face, because I suspect there is a twinkle in her eye!)
But some are just a face, and don't give us enough to understand the personality of her subject. I guess this is why there is a narrative.
Anyway, if you are on the fence about this one, fall off on the side of leaving it on the shelf.
I am glad I didn't pay for this, but I am sorry that my public library did.
November 25, 2021
I received this book from Edelweiss. It is a beautiful book full of pictures and wisdom.
April 20, 2022
Excellent perspective and beautiful photography. I enjoyed the variation in cultures yet, the women interviewed all seemed to come to the same conclusion. The second half is much better due to experience, both positive and negative.
April 6, 2022
I was able to get a copy of this beautiful book from an independent bookseller who said the next printing is due in June 2022. The author is an experienced photojournalist and has chosen portraits of striking women over 50. To set them at ease, she started asking them about their lives and that led to a series of interviews with woman around the globe that are thoughtful and easy to engage with.
The book is well produced- heavy paper and great printing and is a coffee table type book. You wouldn't read it cover to cover, instead it is the type of book you pick up and read a few interviews and set back down. The wisdom isn't all new, but it is real, confident and encouraging.
This may be my go-to gift ($35) for the women over 50 in my life for the next year.
The book is well produced- heavy paper and great printing and is a coffee table type book. You wouldn't read it cover to cover, instead it is the type of book you pick up and read a few interviews and set back down. The wisdom isn't all new, but it is real, confident and encouraging.
This may be my go-to gift ($35) for the women over 50 in my life for the next year.
August 10, 2022
Women of a certain age (i.e., over 50) may enjoy this book as I did. I liked the profiles of the woman and their individual viewpoints on their life and the highlights. Of course, the best parts related to what they thought was at the core of being human and how certain values can make or break your happiness. It's one of those books to read when you're not in a hurry and not expecting bells and whistles or exciting conclusions.
June 21, 2022
This is an interesting collection of conversations and photos of women starting or well into the second half of their life. The stories are uplifting and the stories of the background each woman experienced are varied and some are adventurous, supportive, and challenging.
April 9, 2022
Read March 2022
NYPL book
NYPL book
Read
August 5, 2022International perspectives on being female humans privileged to age
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November 28, 2022
I loved this book. It is full of so many gems!!
December 23, 2022
Skimmed. Part good advice, part brag session, part entitlement essay. Take it with a grain of salt (or several), as you should with any advice, as a woman, aging.
Read
April 27, 2023Library loan.
Forty women of a certain age tell about their life, loves, and learning
Forty women of a certain age tell about their life, loves, and learning
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews