How to Grow Old

Ancient Wisdom for the Second Half of Life

By: Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philip Freeman - introduction, Philip Freeman - translation

Narrated by: Roger Clark

Worried that old age will inevitably mean losing your libido, your health, and possibly your marbles too? Well, Cicero has some good news for you. In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all - and why you might discover that reading and gardening are actually far more pleasurable than sex ever was.

Filled with timeless wisdom and practical guidance, Cicero's brief, charming classic - written in 44 BC and originally titled On Old Age - has delighted and inspired audiences, from Saint Augustine to Thomas Jefferson, for more than 2,000 years. Presented here in a lively new translation with an informative new introduction, the book directly addresses the greatest fears of growing older and persuasively argues why these worries are greatly exaggerated - or altogether mistaken.

Montaigne said Cicero's book "gives one an appetite for growing old." The American founding father John Adams read it repeatedly in his later years. And today its lessons are more relevant than ever in a world obsessed with the futile pursuit of youth.

©2016 Philip Freeman (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Simply Excellent

As a person in the age group spoken about, I heard only enduring truths. They were of the sort where anyone could find something of practical value.

Beautiful

Exactly what I needed to hear from a man who was incredibly wise. Then narration was incredible too.

excellent book

the way it was read was a little sleepy but this is really a great book. there are so many great points that really make you think about things in a different way.

Amazingly rich

A work that should be red and listen to again and again long before old age.

Great insights

Worth listening to again and again. The narrator’s voice takes you back to the Roman era.