by Sherwin B. Nuland
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Product Description
In his landmark book How We Die, Sherwin B. Nuland profoundly altered our perception of the end of life. Now in The Art of Aging, Dr. Nuland steps back to explore the impact of aging on our minds and bodies, strivings and relationships. Melding a scientist’s passion for truth with a humanist’s understanding of the heart and soul, Nuland has created a wise, frank, and inspiring book about the ultimate stage of life’s journey.
The onset of aging can be so gradual that we are often surprised to find that one day it is fully upon us. The changes to the senses, appearance, reflexes, physical endurance, and sexual appetites are undeniable–and rarely welcome–and yet, as Nuland shows, getting older has its surprising blessings. Age concentrates not only the mind, but the body’s energies, leading many to new sources of creativity, perception, and spiritual intensity. Growing old, Nuland teaches us, is not a disease but an art–and for those who practice it well, it can bring extraordinary rewards.
“I’m taking the journey even while I describe it,” writes Nuland, now in his mid-seventies and a veteran of nearly four decades of medical practice. Drawing on his own life and work, as well as the lives of friends both famous and not, Nuland portrays the astonishing variability of the aging experience. Faith and inner strength, the deepening of personal relationships, the realization that career does not define identity, the acceptance that some goals will remain unaccomplished–these are among the secrets of those who age well.
Will scientists one day fulfill the dream of eternal youth? Nuland examines the latest research into extending life and the scientists who are pursuing it. But ultimately, what compels him most is what happens to the mind and spirit as life reaches its culminating decades. Reflecting the wisdom of a long lifetime, The Art of Aging is a work of luminous insight, unflinching candor, and profound compassion.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
A lot wasted on me, one extra star for Aubrey de Grey portrayal, 2008-08-25
Some good takeaways:
- One of the people highlighted (he seemed to fill chapters with anecdotes of various people) said that if you examine a problem long enough, you'll see your part in it.
- The best written portrayal, in my opinion, of Aubrey de Grey, who mainstream media is treating like a wise man speaking scientific truths. I take exception, though, when the author used the word "genius" once in the portrayal. I go back to what the autistic author Temple Grandin once said in an interview: "highly verbal people are illogical." This describes de Grey, a left-brained egomaniac. (When you feel a person has dazzled you with words but you come away not really knowing what they said, instead of concluding that they're brilliant, remember Grandin's words.)
- Great conclusions in the Aubrey de Grey chapter, that the world may not end from evil intentions, but from good intentions gone awry.
Wasted on me:
- His stories of doctor colleagues and friends, e.g., the narrative about Dr. Michael Debakey. I got absolutely nothing out of these portrayals, they seemed to convey no information about aging, other than giving anecdotes that seemed almost fawning over people who were just following the drives they had in younger years.
- Mrs. Chaterjee's story. I also couldn't comprehend why he wouldn't just meet with her when she was in town. Though maybe it's because I'm not a doctor, nor ever had any job like his--probably a lack understanding of his position. But it threw me, I found myself asking, "What's with all this agonizing and hiding? What kind of person is this author?" At least he was honest about his behavior. I'm open that maybe I missed the whole point of the Chaterjee story, like maybe to present the despair side of aging.
Four stars because he has a good mind, some good thoughts. But overall, I couldn't really recommend this book to a friend. Though I leave open the possibility that others might get more out of it than I did.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Insightful, well constructed, helpful book, 2008-08-09
The construction of this book leads the reader through very thoughtful and interesting research into the issues confronting seniors and whose bodies have strayed from an earlier self image. As a physician/scientist Dr. Nuland distills the insights of truly remarkable accomplished and ordinary seniors into clear prescriptions from which the reader can select to greet successfully this age old new life challenge.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Renewal of body, mind and spirit, 2008-06-11
I was able to download this book from the public library and it exceeded all my expectations. I was expecting only the physical components but was pleasantly surprised that Doctor Nuland covered all aspects of our personhood. Body, mind and spirit.
The vignettes that he so carefully shared with us were full of knowledge and wisdom. Many of his interviews touched the core of one's being.
Escpecially potent was Ruby's letter's to Doctor Nuland over a period of almost 20 years. Doctor Nuland gave of his essence and received it in return a hundred fold. One of his quotes from Mark Twain says it all: "Wisdom is discovered in listening, when one wants to talk".
Doctor Nuland carefully and dilgently passes us through the stages of life. He encourages us to begin during our younger years to prepare ourselves to live a more meaningful life during our later years. Another quote from his book: "Know thyself. To what end do you do this?" and "An unexamined life is not worth living".
His conclusions are that one should not only become a better person for oneself but to be for others. He quotes from Abraham Heschel: "Be content with what one has; not what one is."
Shalom, Doctor Nuland and thank you for your wisdom.
Other books for your consideration:
The Dance of Life: Weaving Sorrows And Blessings into One Joyful Step by Henri Nouwen
Reaching: The Journey to Fulfillment by Morton Kelsey
Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing by Caroline Myss
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Case Studies in Aging and Acquiring Wisdom ....., 2008-04-30
Physician author Sherwin Nuland offers case studies of successful aging in this insightful and well-written book. Nuland has a gift for language and is as skillful with the words as he is with a scalpel. We see vignettes of aging individuals who have made accommodations to father time. The chapter on Dr. Michael Debakey is fascinating and alone worth the time investment.
Nuland avoids any preachiness and he does not offer a cranky view of the aging process. What he suggests - exercise, diet, sound habits, deep relationships, meaningful work - are not exactly things we haven't heard before but they are presented persuasively here.
Those facing middle age and older will find practicality within these pages and an outline of strategies that might not make you live any longer, but will certainly help you squeeze more life out of the time that is left us!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 don't waste your money., 2008-03-08
This book offers no new insights biologically or philosophically for living through the final years of life. It reads like something from Parade magazine. It's not even a 1-star rating, but a zero star is not available. The material presented is trite, banal, hackneyed(I know these terms are essentially synonymous, but I employ them for emphasis.) Look elsewhere for received wisdom regarding living through old age. I am 58 years old and am entering my later years. From all the glowing cover blurbs I anticipated there might be some food for thought within. Just junk food.
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