The Third Age: Six Principles of Growth and Renewal After Forty

by William Sadler and William A. Sadler

Book Overview

Medical and technological breakthroughs have given most of us the equivalent of a thirty-year life bonus. As a result, we face a new period in the middle of our lives, what Europeans call the third age, which challenges us to change the way we live and transform the way we age. But rediscovering a youthful spirit and staying truly involved in life demands an attitudinal shift, a resistance to outdated stereotypes, and an effort to balance the seemingly...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 073820434X
• ISBN13: 9780738204345
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Westview Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A Must Read for Baby Boomers

Dr. Sadler has articulated a comprehensive approach for anyone over 40 to contemplate more personal fulfillment in life. This is particularly timely research and analysis as the U.S. is transformed by the wave of baby boomers just beginning to reach traditional retirement age. Boomers will, on average, live longer, more healthy lives than any previous generation. We cannot simply accept that life is "downhill after 50" when there is now a "30-year life bonus" opportunity in front of us.Dr. Sadler's six principles provide a sound basis for understanding and exploring the concept of personal fulfillment and his wonderful individual stories of people he followed for many years help us see these principles in action.

Wonderful insights about real people in real situations

This is a terrific book for anyone, such as myself, in or approaching our"third age". Dr.Sadler looks at real people and their experiences in creating productive and joyous lives despite the challenges they faced. While not everything that comes our way is easy, we have a wonderful opportunity to experience re-growth and design a new life for ourselves. A previous reviewer was somewhat disparaging of this book and its ideas and observations, but many of his or her comments do not accurately represent the information provided in the book and stand in marked contrast to other reviews provided. I urge an interested reader to read this book and reach your own conclusions. It will be worth your time.

Stimulating, thought-provoking and immensely encouraging

I found this book to be stimulating and encouraging - rather than focus, as so many books do, on traditional concepts of 'aging' and 'retirement' as end points of life, this book illuminates the extraordinary opportunities for growth that can be available to those who permit themselves to take advantage of them. I've read it several times; with each reading, I see more parallels with my life. I would recommend it to anyone reluctant to surrender to stagnation and interested in learning about some remarkable, and clearly real, people.

Great work ... Full of Insight

This book should be reread several times for it's treasure of insights and profound statements.Sadler interviews several candidates displaying second growth, and along the way, he not only introduces us to new possibilities of renewal and personal growth after 40, but also comments on the complexities and subleties of life as experienced by those ahead of our age.His table of contents reads like a list of reflections on life; balancing mindful reflection and risk taking; creating a positive third age indentity; redfining work and play, etc.We often see ourselves in his interviews, and we see how others have overcome difficult situations to restructure their life and re-emerge and remain resilient.I particularly like his interviews with people in their 60s, 70,s 80s, giving us a glimpse of what to expect at that age.A must read!

a culture devoted to youth

In a culture devoted to youth, THE THIRD AGE is a groundbreaking work. At the present time in America, everything old is discarded not repaired. Aging is a subject for jokes, not inspiration and excitement. I am 65 and have suffered the mundane indignities of losing hair, stronger glasses, arthritis and glitches in memory, but having children late in life has encouraged me to crawl on the floor, play horsy and throw a baseball. Naturally I was delighted to read Dr. Sadler's helpful and well researched book, which provides an invaluable conversation about aging, supported by interviews with people who have explored this later period creatively. I don't feel alone in my efforts. There is no other book like it, a book that must be the forefront of a growing movement of concern about how we spend the potentially most productive and creative years of our extended lives.