Enjoy Old Age: A Practical Guide

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK IN YOUR 40'S
Review: DON'T WAIT UNTIL OLD AGE BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THE TIME TO ABSORB IT'S IMMENSELY PRACTICAL & ENCOURAGING MESSAGE IS WHEN YOU STILL HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR WHAT IS TO COME.

I THINK IT WAS GEORGE BURNS WHO SAID:" OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES!" SKINNER APPLIES HIS OWN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIFIC RESULTS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE GARNERED HIM A NOBEL (AT THE VERY LEAST), TO THE MANAGEMENT OF OLD AGE.

IN A NUTSHELL BFS EXPLAINS HOW OLD AGE IS ANOTHER "PROBLEM TO BE MANAGED" JUST LIKE THE OTHER KEY STAGES OF LIFE & DEATH. EACH CHAPTER TAKES A BEAD ON ONE OR OTHER PROBLEM OF OLD AGE, AND TACKLES IT ROBUSTLY AND UNFLINCHINGLY.

PERHAPS THE BOOK'S GREATEST VIRTUE IS BFS' REFUSAL TO ROMANTICISE OLD AGE - NO NONSENSE ABOUT 'WISDOM' AND 'MENTORING' AND THE OTHER STAPLES OF OLD AGE COMMENTARIES. BFS IS STUNNINGLY HONEST AND BLUNT TOO.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BE JOLLIED ALONG INTO OLD AGE, THIS BOOK WILL NOT HELP YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE EXPERIENCE AND 'MANAGE' IT EFFICIENTLY & EFFECTIVELY, THIS IS A BOOK YOU WILL LAP UP!

BFS TOOK HIS OWN ADVICE, AND LIVED A FINE OLD AGE WITH A PRETTY DECENT DEATH TOO. THIS BOOK IS AN ENDEARING LEGACY. WE OWE HIM A HEARTY VOTE OF THANKS.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK IN YOUR 40'S
Review: DON'T WAIT UNTIL OLD AGE BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THE TIME TO ABSORB IT'S IMMENSELY PRACTICAL & ENCOURAGING MESSAGE IS WHEN YOU STILL HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR WHAT IS TO COME.

I THINK IT WAS GEORGE BURNS WHO SAID:" OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES!" SKINNER APPLIES HIS OWN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIFIC RESULTS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE GARNERED HIM A NOBEL (AT THE VERY LEAST), TO THE MANAGEMENT OF OLD AGE.

IN A NUTSHELL BFS EXPLAINS HOW OLD AGE IS ANOTHER "PROBLEM TO BE MANAGED" JUST LIKE THE OTHER KEY STAGES OF LIFE & DEATH. EACH CHAPTER TAKES A BEAD ON ONE OR OTHER PROBLEM OF OLD AGE, AND TACKLES IT ROBUSTLY AND UNFLINCHINGLY.

PERHAPS THE BOOK'S GREATEST VIRTUE IS BFS' REFUSAL TO ROMANTICISE OLD AGE - NO NONSENSE ABOUT 'WISDOM' AND 'MENTORING' AND THE OTHER STAPLES OF OLD AGE COMMENTARIES. BFS IS STUNNINGLY HONEST AND BLUNT TOO.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BE JOLLIED ALONG INTO OLD AGE, THIS BOOK WILL NOT HELP YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE EXPERIENCE AND 'MANAGE' IT EFFICIENTLY & EFFECTIVELY, THIS IS A BOOK YOU WILL LAP UP!

BFS TOOK HIS OWN ADVICE, AND LIVED A FINE OLD AGE WITH A PRETTY DECENT DEATH TOO. THIS BOOK IS AN ENDEARING LEGACY. WE OWE HIM A HEARTY VOTE OF THANKS.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK IN YOUR 40'S
Review: Whatever you think of behaviorism, or Skinner's other works, this book is an admirable effort, and his approach to old age can be profitably adapted by those of any age. Skinner takes a clear-eyed look at how to alter one's environment -- one's home, one's habits, developed over a lifetime but often suboptimal for the person one has become -- to minimize inconveniences and maximize enjoyment.

I first read this book in my early 20s, and I was profoundly struck by Skinner's pragmatic assessment of his circumstances and his focus on making positive steps to improve his life.

[Incidentally, I shared an elevator ride with Skinner around the time this book came out (before I had read it) -- we didn't talk, but he scowled at me.]

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book potentially useful for everyone
Review: Whatever you think of behaviorism, or Skinner's other works, this book is an admirable effort, and his approach to old age can be profitably adapted by those of any age. Skinner takes a clear-eyed look at how to alter one's environment -- one's home, one's habits, developed over a lifetime but often suboptimal for the person one has become -- to minimize inconveniences and maximize enjoyment.

I first read this book in my early 20s, and I was profoundly struck by Skinner's pragmatic assessment of his circumstances and his focus on making positive steps to improve his life.

[Incidentally, I shared an elevator ride with Skinner around the time this book came out (before I had read it) -- we didn't talk, but he scowled at me.]

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful finishing touch to B. F. Skinner's career
Review: When he was almost 80 years old Skinner, the creator of behaviourism, decided to share with us his wisdom about old age. This is a very useful book for people approaching old age, or for those who have to deal with old people.