Late Bloomers [Paperback]

Brendan Gill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1579651089 | ISBN-13: 978-1579651084 | Edition: 1

Late Bloomers applauds seventy-five individuals whose greatest achievements occurred or were recognized later in their lives. The people profiled have come from different countries and diverse social backgrounds, yet all have one thing in common: They refused to give up their dreams just because they were no longer young, and thus managed to make the second half of their lives rich and fulfilling for themselves and for others.

In sparkling profiles written by veteran New Yorker contributor Brendan Gill, the stories of these resilient people unfold. Some, such as Raymond Kroc (the founder of McDonalds) and Harry Truman changed careers relatively late in life. Others, such as botanist George Washington Carver, worked for years in their profession, finding recognition only later. Many of those profiled, including Julia Child and Gertrude Jekyll, didn't even begin producing their life's work until middle age.

At once timely and timeless, Late Bloomers is an inspiration for everyone who wants to believe that it's never too late.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gill (Here at the New Yorker), a staff writer at the New Yorker since 1936, defines late bloomers as "people who at whatever cost and whatever circumstances have succeeded in finding themselves." This loose definition gives him license to include anyone he pleases in these one-page biographical sketches of 75 achievers in various fields. Authors Karen Blixen (1885-1962) and Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) are profiled because they pursued other occupations before they began writing, while Grandma Moses, who started painting in her late 70s, and Harriet Doerr, who published a first novel (The Stones of Ibarra) in late middle age, fit the traditional definition of a late bloomer. Other choices, such as Ruth Gordon, who began acting in her 20s and Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun since the age of 18, are clearly a matter of Gill's personal whim. Although this compilation is a pleasant read, the information given on each person is so sketchy, its use will be primarily as a browsing item. Photos.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Gill, a staff writer for The New Yorker and the author of numerous books (e.g., A New York Life: Of Friends and Others, LJ 9/15/90), here offers a collection of 75 portraits of "people who at whatever cost and under whatever circumstances have succeeded in finding themselves." All achieved fame during or after middle age. Each biography is a page long and is accompanied by a full-page picture. Two-thirds of the subjects are from the 20th century, and half are in the arts/entertainment/fashion worlds. While some of the selections feel out of place, e.g., Zachary Taylor, King Edward VII, and Mother Teresa, Gill's intention is clearly inspirational, and his effervescent prose lends the right tone to these minimally informative pieces. A good gift purchase but not essential for libraries.
Wendy Knickerbocker, Rhode Island Coll. Lib., Providence
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Artisan; 1 edition (January 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579651089
• ISBN-13: 978-1579651084
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational, December 22, 2006

By 

book reader "Lisa" (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Late Bloomers (Paperback)

This book is really fun, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. The great thing about this book is that it isnt trying to be inspirational. It presents some very interesting people, and doesnt try to be more than a little book. I am going to order a few of new paperbacks. I know a lot of talented people who changed career directions after 40. I know a lot more people who have talent but dont trust it. I think people contemplating life or career change would find this book interesting.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Late Bloomers Need History Lesson, November 26, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Late Bloomers (Hardcover)

This is not a review, but a warning that early on, the book will lose its credibility. There is a profile of Harry Truman - one of the late bloomers. The author (I assume) has the years of Harry Trumans presidency wrong. Bad enough the book tilts to the literary/art crowd (guess all those failed authors are being hopeful), but no one at the publisher caught this. A problem for those publishing executives that only took english lit courses is that they have ignored the basic facts of history

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Late Bloomers?, January 18, 2008

By 

E Lazaros (West Lafayette, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Late Bloomers (Paperback)

When I think of late bloomers, I think of someone who hasn't used their full potential for most of their life. Most of the people profiled had success of one type or another early in life Many worked hard many years in their field to achieve the fame that they ultimately obtained later in life. For instance, Alice Hamilton and Mother Teresa both worked in their chosen fields early in life and their dedication to their early chosen field propelled them to do great things. In Mother Teresa's case she was forty when she opened her Missions of Charity but it was a continuation of a life of service. Others like Grandma Moses, who took up painting at age 76, were profiled and were more inline with what one might define "late bloomers," While it was an interesting book to read, it really didn't do the title justice.