If I Live to Be 100: Lessons from the Centenarians [Paperback]

Neenah Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 23, 2004

Neenah Ellis's New York Times bestselling If I Live to Be 100 takes us inside the world of the very old and invites us to learn from them the art of living well for an exceptionally long period of time. Their stories add up to a course in living, with lessons and inspiration for all of us.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For the National Public Radio series One Hundred Years of Stories, broadcast two years ago, Ellis interviewed Americans at least 100 years old some of them ailing or confused in their thinking, others completely coherent, lively and full of fascinating tales from the past and insightful wisdom gleaned from a century of living. The poignancy of a prolific writer and Hollywood veteran who can't remember enough to participate in the interview is offset by a woman who lives alone, still rows her own boat and occasionally skinny-dips, and by a man who marries for the third time at 103. Ellis reveals little of her own life here, and withholds any intimate introspection when, for example, a 101-year-old law professor describes his regret at spending so much time on his work rather than having a family and points out that Ellis's childless lifestyle is similar. On the other hand, she abandons straight journalism by indulging in a long tangent about "limbic resonance," or getting absorbed in someone's telling of a story. She concludes that "emotional connection with another person is all that will make you happy," but she tells readers this rather than letting her interviewees speak for themselves. If Ellis had stuck with the subjects' own voices and fleshed out their stories in more detail, this might have been a powerful oral history of America in the 20th century. Instead, it reads like a radio show brief quotes with a few sound bites of editorialization.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

What if you could look into the future and learn what your life would be like during your final years? Undoubtedly you'd expect images of isolation and nursing homes, but Ellis shows us this isn't always the case through conversations with 15 exceptional centenarians she interviewed for her acclaimed NPR series, "One Hundred Years of Stories." From Anna Wilmot, still rowing her own boat on a Massachusetts lake, to R. L. Stamper, still preaching the gospel and looking for love, their stories are poignant and powerful, simple and sweet. Ellis struggles at first to find her voice, and theirs, and in the process learns perhaps the most important lesson the centenarians can offer: how to listen. As a professional journalist, Ellis first approached the project with the goal of accumulating information but in time came to realize there was more to be gained by acquiring knowledge, the kind of wisdom that can only be found when you listen closely to those who have lived long and lived well. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400051428
• ISBN-13: 978-1400051427
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gerontology

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful book October 13, 2002

By Robert G Yokoyama VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is filled with stories about interesting people who have lived incredible lives Neenah Ellis is a journalist who spent an unforgettable year travelling the country listening to the stories of people who have reached the age of 100 and beyond for a National Public Radio series. I truly believe now that the secret to a long happy life is to stay active either mentally or physically. The people in this book can all attest to that. This book profiles educators like Margaret Rawson who published a book about dyslexia and her work in the field at the age of 96. Abraham Goldstein is a dedicated professor who has taught law for 70 years. I loved the story of Anna Wilmot who stayed active by paddling a rowboat and going skinny dipping.

I also enjoyed the story of Ruth Ellis who was the oldest black lesbian. She was an accomplished public speaker and gay activist who made 100 appearances in a 1 year speaking on college campuses and gay functions all over the country. Ruth Ellis achievements have not gone unnoticed as a film has been made about her life. The story of Louisiana Hines is interesting because her grandfather was a slave. She can vividly recall how blacks were lynched for preaching about equality in the early years of the 20th century.

Roy Stamper became a successful horse trainer He also developed a love for preaching despite having only 4 years of formal education. Roy Stamper proved that it is never too late to fall in love, because he got married at the age of 101.

Sadie and Gilbert Hill were married for an amazing 81 years. The secret to their long marriage can be summed up in one word together. They did everything together from cooking to shopping to dancing. This couple even worked together as farm caretakers milking cows and herding cattle. I loved the story of Harry Shapiro whose life has been prolonged and enriched by his passion to paint. If I live to be 100 is a wonderful book.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but a bit misleading. December 2, 2002

By A. J. Valasek

Format:Hardcover

Based on the title, I was truly expecting to read the "wisdom of the ages." Unfortunately, other than a few snippets and a couple of generalizations, the majority of this book is centered on the frustrations of obtaining the knowledge being sought and the process by which the author was able to acquire some patience with the elderly. To the author's credit, she mentions that this is how the book will transpire early on. To the author's discredit, she never changed the title appropriately. Kudos to the power of marketing and a lesson for those considering this title, "Read the reviews."

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Concept/Author Fell Short September 12, 2004

By larrisg

Format:Paperback

When I saw the title of the book I was very excited. The whole concept of the book was so appealing that I could hardly wait to get started. After reading the first chapter the excitement faded. The concept of recording the views and experiences of centenarians is wonderful and worth the 3 stars that I give this book, however the author missed a great opportunity to really explore the ideas and views of this very small group of our population. Her lack of patience and willingness to give the time to allow these people to communicate and record thier life experiences is sad. As a reader I felt very cheated that she did not fulfill her obligation she gave in the title of the book. Who should really feel cheated is the centenarians who gave up precious time to an author who valued her own time more. She writes on more than one occasion that the time she spends with some of these people is wasted time. She doesn't really elaborate on things that myself as a reader really care about. For example what do you think about the world today and where it is headed. What is the secret to being married 50 plus years? What advice do you have for teenagers, baby boomers, women, men, etc? What is the most positive change in the world in your lifetime? What is the most negative change in the world in your lifetime? These are just a few examples the questions I would have liked answered. All we can hope for is that a more UNSELFISH author will take this idea and run with it.