Breaking the Watch: The Meanings of Retirement in America

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book about retirement with some meaning
Review: Tired of reading just about the financial aspects of retirement or all about the myths of retirement? Hunger to know the in-depth experiences of those who have retired and spent some time looking at the process? Well, sociologist and anthropologist Joel Savishinsky has studied 13 women and 13 men who've recently retired with in-depth "participant-observer" interviews. Best of all, each chapter while dealing with experiences of the participants, is summarized with meaningful interpretations. The author is a good interviewer and writer and spent a good deal of time with his "subjects". Chapters focus on ending work, role changes, the search for meaningful purpose, relationships and health. I found this book lucid, easily applicable to my own retirement issues and a window into the experiences of many of my retired friends.