Customer Reviews

Elderwoman: Reap the wisdom, Feel the Power, Embrace the Joy

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Eureka!
As a lifetime acquirer of books, and increasingly less-than-overwhelmed by most of the material I read, this is a glorious exception. Marian McCain has written what should be required reading for all women approaching/already in their menopausal years............This outstanding book deals with every possible aspect of the transition into the third age of a woman's life, shedding light, wisdom and credibility into all those dark corners we barely knew existed. I commenced reading 'Elderwoman' at about 9:00pm one evening, and was startled to look up, a little while later, and find it was 2:00am, the following day. I forced myself to put the book down, wanting to savour the promise of 'having something left for later.'

Marian McCain's insights into this fascinating passage in a woman's life are almost uncanny; I had the distinct impression that she must have had a direct 'link' to my own experiences as she wrote. It is, I find, enormously comforting to have my own personal journey into Elderhood 'validated' by the writings of this very wise woman.

Please, ladies, do yourself a huge favor; if you never buy another book, BUY THIS ONE!!

Elderwoman: Reap The Wisdom, Feel The Power, Embrace The Joy by transpersonal psychotherapist and health educator Marian Van Eyk McCain is a "reader friendly" guide to enjoying the years beyond menopause, a time that more women than ever before in human history will be fortunate to see with the longer life expectancies of the modern era. Embracing a woman's relationship to the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, individual chapters cover spiritual matters of learning to enjoy the good things in life, having the courage to speak out in personal and political matters, cherishing one's body and soul, and a great deal much more. A powerful and uplifting message of strength, balance, and love, Elderwoman is strongly recommended for personal self-help reading lists and Women's Studies reference collections.

Marian McCain has written a glorious book on woman's journey into her third age (or cronehood), and how I wish this book had been in existence when I began my own voyage some years ago! Life's journey is a curious and winding trail full of twists, turns and surprises, one which takes us through shaded valleys, across moonlit mesas, and at last up into the high clear air of the mountains. The journey to elderhood should be joyful and without fear, and Elderwoman is the perfect volume to take along on our travels, an atlas and a guide book chock full of wisdom, compassion, simplicity, lightness and yes, passion too. I keep a copy of this book close by, and I return to it often.

I read several books on menopause, and Elderwoman takes the approach that feels most affirming to me. McCain embraces this phase as a natural "ripening" of our growth on earth. She explores our maturity from many perspectives...physical, emotional, mental...and profoundly spiritual. The wise advice that we wish we would have gotten from our mothers and grandmothers is lovingly offered in this book.

This book was my trusted warm companion for my menopausal journey. At times, I think it was this book that kept me centered and sane during some long nights of insomnia due to hormonal changes.

While one can not call a friend during the wee, dark hours of sleeplessness, Marian's book was always there with wisdom words and explanations that let me know that this, too, shall pass.

May I heartily commend this book to each woman to gift herself with--and to share or give to friends as they enter this transitional passage of new potential and mystery.

This book is a godsend for any woman who wants to make the most of her elder years! My copy is yellowed, dog-eared, underlined, much-read and much-loved. I'm always looking for positive role models and mentors in this journey and Marian has provided me with many aha! moments. I have very few books that I reread but this is one of them and will be for quite some time.

McCain began with an inner voice saying, "It is time." Women are living longer now, have access to better education, more information, connect with each other, and find themselves with many more years of life in which to contribute. This phenomenon is unprecedented in human history, and elder women, as yet, find few road maps for this valuable time in their lives. McCain has thought it through and gathered the ideas we need.

No longer will elder (not just older) women feel useless and helpless. It is our time to influence the world for good, to harvest our skills and experience and speak out. Fading back into the darkness of history is the feeble old woman, the hag, the drone, the outcast from society. The women are gathering! Elder women have the wisdom to turn it around, to teach alternatives to the madness of war, greed and exploitation. If you need inspiration to fire up your courage, you'll find it here. If you need assurance that we are legion, find all the rest of us here. If you're over fifty, you need it on your shelf. Boomer women coming to retirement, start with this guidebook. It's a lovely, nourishing book.

In reading Elderwoman, I did more than read a book.
I went through a process of feeling and releasing
my fear of becoming old. Marian McCain
does not talk about becoming old, she invites you
to feel the process with her on each page of this book..
And in feeling it, rather than pretending it is not
happening in each moment of life, I relaxed and
opened. Thank you, Marian, for this help. Your book
was a vehicle of transformation in my life.

I found this book to be the starting flag of my new journey into life. It is the beginning of the 2nd race for me and I am leading the pack. I've never given much thought to what I should be thinking at this stage in life but now, through Marian's words of wisdom I think I know. Thanks Marian.