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What Are Old People For?: How Elders Will Save the World | 
 enlarge | Author: William H. Thomas
Publisher: Vanderwyk & Burnham
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
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Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 42130
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 370
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 1889242209
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.26
EAN: 9781889242200
ASIN: 1889242209
Publication Date: 2004
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Product Description
Nodding to popular culture, history, science, and literature, a passionate and persuasive case is made for removing our ageist blinders and seeing old age as a developmental stage of life.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Good conclusion supported by long arguement August 23, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
As I read through Thomas' book, I was struck by two things. First that he has offered a new way of looking at the human life span by creating new 'ages' that describe our lives far better than simply childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. I applaud this introduction. The second aspect that struck me was the enormous amount of support he included in the book. While I became impatient with it, I realized it was because he was writing to someone who had already realized why the human race purposefully includes a period of physical lessening that is essential for the general survival. The wisdom that becomes apparent during this time is the key. However, the book is obviously also written for those who need help in understanding this. So, while it is long, the final conclusions are worthwhile.
 Demonstration of the foolishness of our ways July 31, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/07)
While we search for the fountain of youth in a jar, needle or scalpel, we overlook the secret powers of growing older. "Youth accustoms us to running ever faster and jumping ever higher, and the prospect of change in the opposite direction fills us with a cold dread." We are unprepared for the things age presents. We do not want to adapt to changes in our body. As we age, our muscles weaken and we must learn to adjust, not just once, but many times. Senior adults do not report as much depression as youth, possibly because they do learn to adapt to changes in their body and circumstances.
Geriatrician William H. Thomas, M.D., discusses many aspects of aging, including eldercare. Thomas champions the elderly, insisting on respect. The thought of living/dying in a nursing home is frightening for most people and yet it looks inevitable to them. Thomas offers viable alternatives such as a Green House. A Green House cultivates a warm, inviting place for seniors to live. Elders are encouraged to be self-sufficient.
"What Are Old People For?," by William H. Thomas, M.D., is a timely book. This is an aging society. The information presented is simple, easy-to-read, and needed. Thomas demonstrates his great understanding and respect for elderhood. He offers hope and optimism. This book confronts the myths of aging. Thomas encourages humans to embrace all stages of life, not just youth. He encourages readers to become more conscious of the contributions that elders make. This book should be read by everybody!
Must read if you plan on getting older May 28, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book opened my eyes to misconceptions I've had about 'old people' and what's good for them. If you have aging parents or will become the aging parent I highly recommend this book. At what age do you plan on giving up control of your life to someone else? I don't plan on it. But at some point the privilege could be taken from you by your 'well meaning' children. Read this book. Talk to your kids. Talk to your parents and grandparents. No one should be stripped of the dignity of living a life long loved by their kids or family members who think they know what's best for us without our input. I myself look forward to being an 'elder' someday and still being able to choose a way of living that works for me.
Open Mind February 1, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I found this book extrememly helpful in opening my mind to a new way of looking at aging not only for society in general, but my own! I was left with positive feelings about the future. That is exciting! The book made a great gift for several of my aging friends. Definitely worth reading!
Author's Note January 31, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
The first sentence of Dr. Spock's "Baby And Child Care" does a good job of summarizing my attitude toward aging and longevity: "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." We are immersed in a shimmering sea of conflicting ideas and attitudes about aging and it is not surpirsing that people's feelings about aging can be complicated and conflicting. It is for this reason that I have done my best to stake out a "Common Sense" approach to thinking about the impact aging is likely ot have on our society and how that influence can be turned to the advantage of people of all ages.
This book derives its central argument from recent progress made in the fields of biology, mythology, sociology, and philosophy, but its heart belongs to the simplest observations of the way we live now. I recognize that some experts will find fault with some of its specifics. As a devout generalist, I believe that the truth of an important argument can be sustained even when fault can be found with certain of its specifics and I hope that you will agree.
It has been said that people are not interested in books about aging but, in fact, people are always interested in learning more about matters that concern their lives and well-being. The questions that revolve around aging and our longevity increasingly rise to that level. Issues related to aging define some of the most important risks and opportunities that confront our society. We live in an exciting time. There is a new old age waiting to be discovered, ready to be explored. Aging and the aged are not, as so often supposed, the cause of our problems--they are and have always been the source of the answers we need. Our longevity is ready freed from the shackles of prejudice and fear. It can and it will save our world.
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