Renaissance Not Retirement: For Men Who Have Enough Money But Not Enough Life

Rating:
Summary: A Practical Guide for Both Men and Women considering Retirem
Review: I was most interested in this book since I just finished writing a book about those who choose not to retire. This book contains a great many very practical worksheets for the reader. One can weigh the payoffs one needs from a job or activity as well as ones own skills and interests. Great idea! I wish I had thought of being so practical when writing my own book. Also very useful were the three appendices of resources.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent, helpful guide
Review: If you're troubled by thoughts of traditional retirement, you owe it to yourself to take a look at Renaisance Not Retirement: For men who have enough money but not enough life. Practical, lively, and easy to read, this book provides guidance to those who have reached the so-called retirement age and are seeking a new life-- a renaissance of sorts. A life with a purpose. A life that consists of something more than one centered only around playing tennis, traveling, reading, watching TV; activities which, by themselves, often lead to a sense of uselessness and obsolescence.
The author makes the point that having a "why" for one's existence can improve one's quality and quantity of life. Largely through case studies-- which heighten reader's interest--the book gives do's and don't and paths that will lead to one's renaissance. But Dr. Linneman doesn't stop there. Using his many years of experience, he provides a well-structured system which will help make the reader's new beginning become a reality.
I especially liked the point that is made in the Epilogue,"...a renaissance is not like winning the big prize once and forever. It's winning the right to keep playing. It means a continual rebirth, replacing the old with the new."
Although written for men, this book could also apply to women, especially those whose lives have been focused on their careers.
My major criticism of the book is that there could have been more studies that would also prove that having a "why" increases one's quality and quantity of life. Still, considering the book in it's entirety, this criticism is minor indeed. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Friendly, accessible and authoritative
Review: OK, guys (you 60-somethings men with enough money but not enough life), listen up. Robert E. Linneman, Ph.D., a former professor at Temple and St. Joseph's Universities, business consultant, and founder of Renaissance Counselors, is going to make it much easier to figure out what you going to do with all that time ahead. So loosen your tie (assuming you're still wearing one) and dig into his new book: Renaissance Not Retirement: For Men Who Have Enough Money But Not Enough Life (Llumina Press 2004). This six-step program is packed with self-assessment tests, worksheets and mind-bending exercises to help you design the life you always wanted. It assumes you've got the money handled, but that like so many folks who hadn't figured on this gift called longevity, you need a little help with the rest. The book is sprinkled with stories and examples of people you'll no doubt find familiar, drawn on interviews he conducted between 2000 and 2002. Some people actually described themselves as retired, notes the author, when actually they are pursuing occupations or professions that they consider to be their life's work. The book is friendly and accessible, not unlike the voice of a college dean, one of Bob Linneman's former incarnations.