What a wise man who took the time to share some positive ways in which to face aging.

3.5 stars- I picked this up because it was short and I knew I could finish it in one sitting... it felt like taking Elder Law all over again. Still, Carter has a wonderful way with words. He has a charming and does a wonderful job of maintaining simplicity throughout. I'll definitely be looking forward to his backlist

As I near 50 and think about the next half of my life, who better to consult on aging than Jimmy Carter? I'm not sure there's much here that I needed to learn per se, but I did get some new ideas and a lot of reassurance.

Attending a Sunday School class taught by President Carter is still one of the highlights of my life--all the better to have shared the experience with my mother. If ever there were someone who demonstrated servant leadership, it would be the Carters.

A pleasant read

Jimmy Carter describes how he and Rosalynn build a rich and full life after his "forced retirement" at 56 (when he failed to win re-election). As a young adult, he imagined a life with much fewer possibilities for himself as a 60 something, 70 something and 80 something. However, he built a life full of purpose, service, learning, devotion, and meaningful relationships with friends, family members, activists and volunteers. He also describes the rich and full lives of many people 80 plus, dispelling the myth that people past 65 have nothing to contribute. From the details of his book, it's clear that many mature people are making meaningful contributions in several venues. Inspiring and informative.

Picked this up on a whim, and very glad I did: it's charmingly written and full of some pretty basic advice that I can often use reminders of. Plan for retirement, keep your body as healthy as possible, create new friendships and maintain the old ones, volunteer, revisit the topics that interested you when you were young.... and on & on. This is written by a 70-something for fellow seniors, but I'm feeling old enough lately to feel like I can use a lot of this advice. And it makes me nostalgic for a time when we had presidents (& ex-presidents) who exuded a sense of compassion and honor. (Of course, Jimmy Carter has always been a unique president in that way.)

Former President Carter, now in his late nineties, wrote this over 20 years ago. He begins by saying that he was just 56 when he was "involuntarily retired" from being president and had to figure out the rest of his life. He tells quite a bit about his background and family members. Most striking is that none of his three siblings nor his father lived past 65, all of them dying of the same cause: pancreatic cancer. Carter's mother Lillian, widowed at 55, became a fraternity housemother, then nursing home manager, then Peace Corps volunteer at 68. Carter tells us that even into her eighties, she woke up each morning "with determination to make the new day an adventure." She died at 85.
Carter suggests practical ways that seniors can stay positive and engaged in life, through continuing education, participating in sports and fitness as they are able, activities with friends and family, and particularly through volunteering in their communities. He says the two crucial factors determining an older person's happiness and success are 1) having a purpose, and 2) maintaining quality relationships with others.
Overall, the tone of the book is relaxed and friendly, like sitting down for a chat with a wise elder.

I enjoyed this read and since I have reached the early 70's in age, am pleased to know I've done more right than wrong. His work in meditation with foreign countries helped so much even though he was no longer President. His volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity is admirable. Thank your President Carter for a life we all should exemplify in our later years.

A short how-to manual on making the best of growing old, The Virtues of Aging may have better been called “the responsibilities of aging.” Jimmy Carter spends a chunk of this book on statistics and societal reasons for the elderly not to become too much of a burden, but then gets into some ways to make an aging life a happy life. Published when Carter was in his mid-seventies, the now 99½ year old apparently knew what he was writing about!

The book presents a plethora of ideas about things that people can do and enjoy in their seventies, eighties, and beyond. It also has a chapter on some particularly inspirational oldsters, which Carter must have known his name would soon be among.

Offering retirement as a new beginning, The Virtues of Aging has a noble purpose and optimistic outlook. Though it is a little dated, that fact only reinforces the value in the long-matured. This quinquagenarian should quickly heed the ex-president’s advice.
I’m going to start by taking a class on this thing called “the internet.”

If I'd read this when it was published, it would have more meaning. However, great wisdom and insight!

I would have given this book an actual 3.5.
I feel that President Carter is quite a good author. I have read quite a few of his books and always felt his insight to life is insightful and sincere.

How such a kind, interesting, intelligent and loving came to be our president is beyond imagination.