Aging Well

Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development

De: George E. Vaillant MD

Narrado por: Keith Sellon-Wright

In an unprecedented series of studies, Harvard Medical School has followed 824 subjects - men and women, some rich, some poor - from their teens to old age. Harvard's George Vaillant now uses these studies - the most complete ever done anywhere in the world - and the subjects' individual histories to illustrate the factors involved in reaching a happy, healthy old age. He explains precisely why some people turn out to be more resilient than others, the complicated effects of marriage and divorce, negative personality changes, and how to live a more fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding life in the later years. He shows why a person's background has less to do with their eventual happiness than the specific lifestyle choices they make. And he offers step-by-step advice about how each of us can change our lifestyles and age successfully. Sure to be debated on talk shows and in living rooms, Vaillant's definitive and inspiring book is the new classic account of how we live and how we can live better. It will receive massive media attention, and with good reason: We have never seen anything like it, and what it has to tell us will make all the difference in the world.

©2002, 2008 George E. Vaillant, MD (P)2020 Little, Brown & Company

Too much anecdotal information.

While at times it was clear the author was trying to "teach us by example," so much of the book was anecdotal instead of informative that I stopped listening. Give your reader more credit. Not every point made has to be made with a long-ish story. Prior to the "story," there was a lot of information about the studies, which is helpful for clarity and validation. Then the book turned to story telling. The author should have figured out what kind of book he was writing. Studies could be explained in an annex or end piece if he wanted to tell that stories of participants.

Hopeful

I love listening it made me realize that I am doing ok for my old age. Thank you

Insightful and Introspective

Aging Well
Loved it! Read it twice! Very profound!
I will get the hard copy to review all the wisdom!

valuable information despite being skewed by sample

Lots of good information from the case studies presented. Valuable pointers for what to set as your goals as you reach retirent

This title should be “Aging Well: for White, upper class men”

99% of the sample for this study were rich White men from Harvard. How does this apply to the general population? It doesn’t. Yet they make it seem like this is the “best study on development”. The founders were most likely racist and decided not to include any women or people of color in the study.

Grateful I found this book!

After reading critical reviews, I still purchased this book and I’m so glad that I did. I’ll be turning 63 this month and love hearing what has brought joy over a lifetime to so many people. In contrast, it’s eye opening to learn what has brought pain and discomfort. I will listen again to it closer taking note.

I feel any person despite race, gender, socioeconomic status, educational background has something to learn from this book if they are looking to learn. I appreciate the time, years and reflection it has taken to put this together. I felt the author was very truthful, open and learned much himself.
I’m blessed to have found it.

Insightful and inspirational

Totally enjoyed this book! As a 65 year old enjoying life and good health, Facebook underscored the reasons why I feel good and happy and enjoy life, and it also gave me excellent new ideas to continue and grow, and the wisdom of life.

Both too detailed and too simple

Zero clear points were made in this book because they were later contradicted. Way too many old trait phrases. Author offered some biased opinions not supported in the studies. The continuous mispronouncing of the word “folks” was annoying.

Not for me

I quit after ~20”, after waiting for a change in diction AND vocabulary on each page.

It sounded like the author was a tyro writer to be who sat down with his most eloquent dictionary and found the biggest word to substitute for the most puny of needed descriptors.

I quickly had enough. His M.D. should be an acronym for More
Development, sic needed before attempting another tome. See if you agree.