The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune: The Joys of Reaching a Certain Age

by Willard Scott

A humorous and touching look at the joys of getting older,introduced by one of the Today show's beloved weathermen.

Willard Scott is famous for celebrating the wit and wisdom of age. In The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune , he asks a wide range of people, "What's the greatest thing about getting older" From expressions of delight in senior citizen discounts to sage advice on life's challenges, the answers are always surprising, often moving, and sometimes very funny.

The book's contributors -Ed Asner - Dr. Joyce Brothers - Helen Gurley Brown - Art Buchwald - George Bush, Sr. - Bill Cosby - Tony Curtis - Jimmy Dean - Phyllis Diller - Mamie Van Doren - Hugh Downs - Dominick Dunne - Betty Friedan - Peter Graves - Monty Hall - Don Hewitt - Bob Hope - Sybil Jason - Bil Keane - Kenny Kingston - Ed Koch - C. Evertt Koop - Jack LaLanne - Norman Lear - Dick Locher - Eugene McCarthy - Jayne Medows - Anne Meara - Robert Novak - Martin Perl - Jane Powell - Ned Rorem - Vidal Sassoon - Pete Seeger - William F. Sharpe - Liz Smith - Jerry Stiller - Dick Thornburgh - Stanfield Turner - Leaon uris - Jack Valenti - Mort Walker - Andy Williams

Also included are pieces from regular folk, such as the former mayor of a small town in Pennsylvania and a retired English teacher from Texas.

"If you don't really want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." -- Yogi Berra

"For me one of the joys of beding over 65 is that people have stopped trying to sell me life insurance." -- John Updike

"You admit that money may be the root of all evil but there is one great soothing recommendation--it keeps your children in touch with you." -- Art Linkletter

"Getting older means having shorter breath, but being long-winded." -- Maya Angelou

Whether you're turning 40, 60, or 85 -- there is something unique to discover about getting older.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2003

Reviews

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of growing old are "golden". Other parts are "tarnished'. Maybe the most important word in the phrase "growing old" is not the second word - "old", but the first word "growing". Each day is an opportunity to keep learning, keep trying new adventures, and keep growing. Willard Scott and friends have written a book about the positives of aging. One of my favorites is by President George H.W. Bush. Commenting on his forgetfulness, he wrote, "It is kind of fun to always look for my glasses. (I can now hide my own Easter eggs.)"

[Milt · Rating 3 out of 5]

great geriantics all around

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

totally misunderstood what this book was about .. had it on my "to read" list for years and years and finally found a copy, but it wasn't what I thought = W. Scott's life growing older, but lots of other old folks I'd never heard of growing older; as a 69 yr old never married, no children lady, almost every blurb pounded into me that I was less than everyone else cuz I had NO kids and NO grandkids and it got tiresome ..

[Marvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories and memories of old people. Some humorous but being old myself being reminded of the truth of age is not that pleasant.

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to read about other peoples thoughts of getting on with their lives after retirement.
That is around the corner for me.
Looking forward to a little togetherness with my hubby.