Old Man Country

My Search for Meaning Among the Elders

By: Thomas R. Cole

Narrated by: David Colacci

We aspire to live in a country where old men are celebrated as vital elders but not demeaned if they become ill and dependent. We aspire to maintain health as well as maintain dignity and fulfillment in frailty. Old Man Country helps listeners see and imagine these possibilities for themselves.

The audiobook follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom, as he encounters 12 distinguished American men over 80 - including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world's most famous heart surgeon. In these and other intimate conversations, the audiobook explores and honors the particular way that each man faces four challenges of living a good old age: Am I still a man? Do I still matter? What is the meaning of my life? Am I loved? Listeners will come to see how each man - even the most famous - faces universal challenges.

Personal stories about work, love, sexuality, and hope mingle with stories about illness, loss, and death. This audiobook will strengthen each of us as we and our loved ones anticipate and navigate our way through the passages of old age.

©2020 Thomas R. Cole (P)2020 Tantor

Thought provoking & insightful

This is a thought-provoking book about aging told through the live’s of historically impactful men with professions in science, ethics & humanities, and theology. Highly recommended for people aging, geriatricians, gerontologists, and anyone with a passion for life and finding its meaning as we age. -Renee Flores, MD

Not That Great

Mildly disappointed. No deep secrets of aging revealed. Much talk of religion, mainly Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhism. Author was repetitive in the impact of growing up in a highly unstable family, and how the author managed to make his own family unstable. More low points than any high points. Main lesson learned: everybody dies in the end.

Atheist Trying to Explain Old Age

I got as far as chapter two. I thought I would receive one man’s take on old age - but it’s more of a ecumenical brake with traditional thought regarding the meaning of an old man’s life.

Sorry, I still don’t equate atheism with wisdom. Nothing to see here folks.

Disappointing

Too much time is spent on self-therapeutic autobiography. Somewhat boring and limited useful insights. On the positive side, there are some interesting parts and it’s short.