The Third Act: Reinventing Your Next Chapter

by Josh Sapan

With more than 60 beautiful portrait photographs and profiles of notable people who are redefining conventional retirement and living their most productive and thrilling new chapters later in life, The Third Act celebrates aging in all its grace, excitement, accomplishments, and discovery.
 
There's an entirely new way to think about what you do later in life. The Third Act profiles 60 people who are doing it differently. From names you'll know to those you've never heard of, these life stories and beautiful photographic portraits will encourage readers to bring their passions and capabilities to life at a time when many are conventionally retiring.
 
Read how well-known celebrities like Alan Alda, Rita Moreno, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, James E. Clyburn, Robert Redford, and Norman Lear took on new challenges at an age when many people put their feet up. Be inspired by the stories of lesser-known figures like Donzella Washington, who became the oldest graduate of Alabama A&M University at eighty; Andrea Peterson, who fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter at fifty; Paul Dillon, who started an incubator for marine veterans after his business career; Hope Harley, who founded the Bronx Children's Museum after a career at a telecommunications company; and many more.

Genres: Biography

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Wisconsin Alumni]

Josh Sapan ’75
Author

From the author:
The Third Act by Josh Sapan is an eye-opening exploration of the fast-growing movement toward “reinvention over traditional retirement.” It is a book that flips conventional ideas about aging upside down through profiles of more than 60 exceptional individuals who have made shifts to pursue new passions in their later years.

For a generation with unparalleled energy, longevity, and enthusiasm for life, reaching retirement age is no reason to slow down when it comes to achieving lifelong goals. In The Third Act, celebrities like Alan Alda, Rita Moreno, and Robert Redford alongside lesser-known figures like Hope Harley, who founded the Bronx Children's Museum after a long career in sales tell the story of how they chased their passion projects into the next chapter of their lives.

In each profile, readers will meet someone who has taken the freedom and time they have been given in recent years and used it to rediscover themselves and find a renewed sense of purpose for this stage of their life. Donzella Washington became the oldest graduate of Alabama A&M University at 80 years old. Andrea Peterson fulfilled her life’s dream of becoming a firefighter at age 62. Art Schill went from being in the U.S. Air Force to becoming a medic, chemist, sales, and marketing executive and, finally, a standup comedian at age 83. Jamal Joseph was a member of the Black Panthers and went on to teach at Columbia University and then later launched IMPACT Repertory Theater, which provides leadership opportunities, conflict resolution, and a safe space for Harlem's youth. Reading about these “Third Acts” will transform the traditional thinking about what it means to get older.

[Rod Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a collection people (famous & not) and what they're doing in the 3rd Act (retirement) of their lives. For the most part it was interesting and in some cases humorous. I came away with an appreciation of what they're doing and why. It didn't really provide a path for those who haven't figured out what their 3rd Act might be.

[Karen Shilvock-Cinefro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful book contains brief inspirational pictures and stories of the lives of older adults. In some ways, I wish there were fewer celebrities, as I found that everyday people had more fascinating stories and, in many cases, harder barriers to overcome.
Definitely worth a look and to realize it is never too late to start a dream.

[Deborah Sowery-Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring to read of 'the third act' of various people who embark on new careers or initiatives late in life.

[mary reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

So many interesting and vibrant seniors that live a full life and make a difference.
Everyone needs a Third Act. Never stop learning; all forward.

[Colleen Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this but there was not really any depth to the profiles, or insight on next steps that we could apply or takeaway but I don’t think that was the intent. It did serve as general inspiration

[Al Adducci · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many Celebrities, influencers!

[Patricia Hunt Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has brief profiles of interesting people. It does not have much depth about any of them