From Juanita Lindsey’s Library

I can hear his voice when I read this - delightful and inspirational.

3.5
A very wise man.

Very good!

I really enjoyed what he had to say...it was a quick easy read

Realizing that I have reached a chronological milestone clearly pushing me past the stage of being a senior citizen (whatever that might mean), I exposed myself how others might think of my aging. Some years ago my wife and I enjoyed a book that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had written about their lives. They constantly disagreed over how Jimmy remembered events, so they eventually turned it into a "he said/she said"-book — delightful, entertaining, and encouraging. So, I thought Jimmy's book The Virtues of Aging might be the right selection. He would understand my internal battle with accepting my age. Thankfully I was correct. This little book encouraged me in ways I did not anticipate. It has a strong positive tone throughout, while recognizing that humor goes a long ways to bearing up under the weight of sensitive losses and limitations. Since Jimmy and Rosalynn are strong Christians, he openly describes the fulfillment of living life biblically. Our former president offers sound counsel on coming to terms with aging and enjoying its many benefits. A must read — even for those who have not quite yet reached that milestone in life.

Great words of wisdom from the 39th President of the USA. As I read this, his wife Rosalynn has been called to the Heavenly Abode and he is also on palliative care.
The short book makes a great reading.

The usual sort of lists of how to be content or happy in old age. Have a partner companion,
have interests, eat well, etc.

This book is a meditation on retirement and aging Jimmy Carter wrote in his 70's. I love getting to hear his perspective, especially as a former president. He has a positive view of what is possible and meaningful about retirement. But at times it felt random and somewhat unfocused. He couldn't resist giving political policy suggestions, which should probably be expected from a President. It also had more about his sex life than I ever thought I would read. Overall, it was a fun short read. I wonder what he would add twenty years later.

With news of his death, I eagerly read this book by Carter, a global statesman, humanitarian and centenarian. The book is filled with the kinds of homespun advice one might pick up from Reader's Digest. Carter appears naïvely unaware that the enrichment opportunities made available to a former President are not as readily accessible to senior citizens living on social security.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the US, has shaped history as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. In many ways it seems that his legacy has improved since he left the presidency. The book describes his life since then – his marriage, his faith, his efforts at global peace-making and justice, his work for Habitat for Humanity, the establishment of The Carter Center, and his advocacy for a myriad of senior activity programs that serve others. He notes, “The fact is that in every decade after age 55, .unpaid work is the main form of productive activity for both men and women, and yet statistics overlook this and create a serious impression of idleness.” P. 102 He dismantled that “impression,” for his own life by facing the “basic questions that confront millions of other retirees:
•tHow could we accommodate the unpleasant circumstances that had been forced on us? (in “retirement)?
•tWhat were our assets and liabilities?
•tWhat were the dependable factors in a good life, and how could we recognize and develop them?
•tDid we have anything much to offer others in the years ahead? (p. 6)

He answered those questions in his and Roslyn’s life within the framework of their Christian faith and a strong sense of “citizenship” within his country. His example of what “the good life” can look like in one’s elder years challenges the ‘idleness’ impression. He ends the book with this quote: “You are old when regrets take the place of dreams” (p. 135) With dreams aplenty, balanced by the set-backs, disappointments and genuine griefs he experienced, The Virtue of Aging is relevant in our global context when geriatric populations are increasing around the world. Carter encourages all elderly people to reframe their fears about growing old and seek to prove that life has not passed them by and they can still make a dynamic difference in the world as “aging” citizens who live to serve others.

Interesting read after just finding our Carter has brain cancer. A lot of logic in what he writes but he's also been lucky to have many privileges in his life also. An easy read and you will learn a little about growing older that should prove useful.