Learning from Hannah: Secrets for a Life Worth Living [Hardcover]

William H Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

A charming adventure story about a place where the wisdom of the elders has made a life worth living for all.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Thomas folds a fictional story into a charmingly written autobiography to provide an idealistic lesson for contemporary U.S. society. In real time, Bill (Thomas) and his wife, Jude, two young physicians who had just finished with a 1,215-page book on the medical and social aspects of aging, were enduring quite a letdown, thanks to a boatwreck that put them into the sea near Montserrat--and into the story. They came to half-alive on the unknown island of Kallimos, where Hannah, who many years before had also been wrecked there, takes care of them, helped by other islanders. During several months, Bill and Jude learn 10 lessons about what the role of the elderly in society should be. Jude becomes a competent gardener, and Bill an efficient goatherd. When they return to the U.S., they set out to put the 10 rules into effect. At first blithe and naive, they eventually adapt to hard reality and establish the Eden Alternative for nursing home residents, which is indeed their real-world project. William Beatty

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Vanderwyk & Burnham; 1st edition (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889242098
• ISBN-13: 978-1889242095
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lessons on life from an elder woman, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning from Hannah: Secrets for a Life Worth Living (Hardcover)

Learning from Hannah - Secrets for a Life Worth Living by William H. Thomas, M.D. VanderWyk & Burnham, MA. 1999. 240 pp. $21.95 hardcover. illustrations.

Like a fable, Learning from Hannah divulges deep truths about human nature while imparting a timeless moral message. The author Thomas is so identified with his novel that its main characters have the names of the author and his wife, Bill and Jude. Nearly losing their lives when their sailboat capsizes in a storm while on vacation, Bill and Jude survive by being swept to the island of Kallimos. There, they come under the care of Hannah. While helping them to regain their strength, Hannah teaches them a wisdom arising from a natural, communal way of life, the way of life on Kallimos. The core of this way of life is the relationship between elders and younger generations whereby the younger take care of the older, who in turn impart their wisdom to them to make their lives richer and more meaningful. Among the precepts Bill and Jude learn are "Trust in each other allows us the pleasure of answering the needs of the moment" and "To give care to another makes us stronger".

Thomas's novel is one of the ways he is publicizing his ideas about the place of elders in society. Besides writing this book, Dr. Thomas founded the organization the Eden Alternative to lead the way in this area. Also, this summer (1999), the author, his wife, their five children, and his parents will be traveling by bus across the U.S. to stimulate interest in his timely ideas and proposals.

Henry Berry, Book Reviewer

Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good message; story could be better., December 30, 2002

By 

Soggyinseattle (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learning from Hannah: Secrets for a Life Worth Living (Hardcover)

Learning from Hannah is a vehicle by which the author attempts to change our societal view that once you reach a certain age, you no longer have anything to offer, and the author achieves that goal. It tells the story of two people who learn that the elderly have much to teach us all, if only we will listen. The main characters also learn that life itself has much more to offer, beyond the next deadline for some distant project. I applaud Thomas' effort and cause, which is why I give the book 4 stars.

From a story standpoint, it felt a bit preachy after a while, and sometimes repetitive; I found myself saying "I've got the point already." In short, I became a little annoyed with the overall story. The writing seemed a little flat, but it was a good effort.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the wisdom and energy in this book!, September 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning from Hannah: Secrets for a Life Worth Living (Hardcover)

This book is meant for every man,woman and child regardless of age. In a society where we have grown to see aging as repulsive rather than merely a part of living, this message is invaluable. Dr. Thomas tells a beautiful story of his own growth and journey toward understanding the value of our elders. It is an issue that can no longer be avoided. Change is inevitable. This book offers us a guide to help facilitate that change.