The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being

As I have aged, there were times when I wondered, "Is this normal? Or is something wrong?" You can't get a straight answer from a doctor. If you know enough old people, you can do an informal survey to come to your own conclusion. Or you can read this book. I found the book refreshing, informative, and yes, even reassuring. It talks about How We Age -- what, why, and how the process happens to all of us who live long enough.But that is only the beginning, as there are excellent chapters about making choices, and for lack of a better description, how to age gracefully and get the most out of life. The latter is discussed with a view toward living an active life, followed by a short period of decline before death. There is so much useful information that, a year after reading this book, I am about to read it again just to refresh my memory. This should be required reading for anyone on the high side of 50, or for anyone who loves someone on the high side of 50.

I first encountered this book as an audio book through my local library. I was so intrigued with parts of it after listening that I purchased a used copy through Amazon. Perhaps it is a little wordy at times, as other reviewers have noted, but you get the sense of man with a great vocabulary, a brilliant mind, and a certain style of writing that shines with a genuine caring for people.In my opinion, chapter six alone is worth the price of the book. Through a series of letters written to an older widow, the author addresses the topic of depression and aging in a way that is tender, thoughtful and incredibly respectful of this woman's point of view. If you are a person facing the changes associated with aging yourself, or know of a friend or family member who may be having difficulty with some of the issues we will all face sooner or later, I highly recommend this book as a guide in shaping a realistic, yet positive outlook on the aging process.

Dr. Nuland has authored an excellent guide to extending ones life. At first glance, I thought this book would offer substantial how to guidance on nutrition, exercise, and other physical life extending practices. I was pleased to discover that Dr. Nuland explores a wide array of discoveries concerned with the social practices that truly make one "alive".Chief among these life giving/extending practices, are the intrinsic rewards offered to those who, in some way, live for the benefit of others. My heart resonated with the stories of people who by serving others have found purpose and therefore life. This book makes a great birthday gift for anyone who is on or is beginning his or her later life journey. It causes one to reflect on the fascinating adventures that could be in store for those who ponder the possibilities of an extraordinary purpose filled life.

Received book--defect on cover and unknown sticky substance on cover (lower left-hand corner)!!! Unacceptable.Addendum: Not what I expected. More of a medical/physical approach than a mental/psychological one. Found better options at Half Price Books.AMENDED -- Upon further inspection, it appears that someone possibly or likely opened the (non-box) package prior to me receiving it.

I suppose all important things in life benefit from reflection, including aging. This book does a good job with erudite philosophical reflection. It uses a story-line approach to illustrate points, which most people appreciate, but which I find a bit annoying. But the price of purchase and the time invested in reading is paid back by one single chapter alone: the one on Aubrey de Grey, who is taking an engineer's approach to removing all causes of death, thereby extending mortality theoretically to infinity (seriously!) The author does not condone this, but the discussion is fascinating.

"The Art of Aging" is the fourth of Dr. Nuland's books that I have read, and for me it is the most powerful and personally valuable. It is one of those books that I sincerely wish had been available to me in my own "middle age", when I would have had the opportunity to apply many more of his wonderful insights not only to myself, but perhaps to my relationship with my own elderly parents, both of whom are now deceased. As it is, I have every intention of sharing this exceptional work with my own daughters, in the hope that they will find it as valuable as I do, at a time when it may give them some meaningful insights at opportune times.

My girl friend was bartending at Dr Nuland's seminar. She told me about the the seminar and the Dr's comments and his book. What she sharedd with me was so interesting, I went out and purchased the book, and so far so good. As we start to get older we really need to keep ourselves active not only mentally but physically. Travel and love life!

Overall this book was too verbose and boring. While there were a few gold nuggets of information, the amount of useless sand you have to sift through was just not worth it. The author is clearly intelligent, but just a little too fond of "hearing" himself speak.

There are few books on this subject and this stands out above them. It is very well written in an easy flowing style that makes this a good read despite the subject. It is a hopeful book and much better than the author's one on dying which had the opposite effect. I have given it four stars because it is a little dates in some of the research on aging that has recently been discovered but this is of course not the fault of the author when he wrote the book.

A bit long winded at times, but nevertheless a wise read. I am already putting most of it in action before reading this book and am pleased that this confirms that I am on the right track. This is not a book about anti ageing, but how to age with vitality, which I coach people on and write about myself. At the age of 71 I can say that putting the contents of this book, that is, being in the right mindset, is the way to go if you want to age and die healthily.

This is a very informative book on a subject that is important to people of all ages , since reading it I have told many friends and family abouti it,.It is well written by someone who has many years experience of his subject ,personally and professionally one of the best books I have ready.I intend to read more of his books.

Took a long time getting here, but worth it. Nuland writes so understandingly of his subject. I'm sure is books will become treasured by many, including myself

really makes you think about aging