Master Class: Living Longer, Stronger, and Happier [Hardcover]

Peter Spiers (Author), Brian Williams (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2012

They can be seen in communities throughout the country-- those amazingly hale, hearty, and happy older folks who are having fun, have a million friends, are sharp as tacks, and look like they'll live forever. Their secret-- revealed and explained in MASTER CLASS-- is an active lifestyle that blends moving, thinking, socializing and creating.

Through inspirational stories from active seniors, supported by the latest research in the fields of psychology and neuro-science, MASTER CLASS shows how to build an enriching lifestyle on the foundation of favorite activities. Author Peter Spiers, Senior Vice President of Road Scholar, the top-notch life-long learning organization, provides easy-to-follow charts that allow readers to break out of their daily routines into Moving/Thinking/Socializing/Creating. By filling the gaps with a selection from 25 "Master Activities," such as learning a musical instrument, playing tennis, volunteering and more, they'll create a happy, holistic, brain-healthy lifestyle that's rich and meaningful.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...An inspiring resource."

--- Wall Street Journal

"Peter Spiers's new book MASTER CLASS is a wonderful exploration of the journey to be traveled by the Baby Boom Generation, the 76 million of us who are awakening to a wonderful opportunity of self-discovery. The book is filled with personal stories, tools, and practical advice on how to live all life to the fullest, how to remain engaged and a lifelong learner, and to make the right choices for successful aging. As one whose career is dedicated to educating the public on the miracle of the human brain and how to promote brain health across the lifespan, I recommend MASTER CLASS and salute Peter on a moving contribution."

---Paul D. Nussbaum, Ph.D., author of Save Your Brain: The 5 Things You Must Do to Keep Your Brain Young and Sharp

"Legions of Baby Boomers, if they take command of their lives, can experience unprecedented satisfaction and longevity in retirement. MASTER CLASS will show them the way."

---Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., author of A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement and Success

"MASTER CLASS is the consummate how-to guide for every baby boomer and beyond to mold their vision of positive aging into reality. Step-by-step it provides a practical and concise road map to achieving optimal personal growth and well-being as we age."

---Marc E. Agronin, M.D., author of How We Age: A Doctor's Journey into the Heart of Growing Old

About the Author

Peter Spiers is Senior Vice President at Boston-based not-for-profit Road Scholar where he is responsible for strategic planning, marketing and communications, and research. Prior to joining Road Scholar, he worked for 17 years at Rodale, Inc. as publisher, group publisher, and vice president for strategic planning.

He is a graduate of Harvard College, the London School of Economics, and the Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth. He is the co-author of "The Group House Handbook" (Acropolis, 1982) and editor of "The Elderhostel Odyssey" (Elderhostel, 2005).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892968915
• ISBN-13: 978-0892968916
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Exercise
  • #9 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gerontology

More About the Author

Peter Spiers (1954- ) was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Northern Virginia and London, England. He holds degrees from Harvard College, the London School of Economics, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He worked at Rodale, Inc., for 17 years, serving as publisher of Backpacker magazine, and VP/group publisher for magazines including Backpacker, Bicycling, Mountain Bike, and Rodale's Scuba Diving. Since 2002 he has worked at educational travel not-for-profit Road Scholar as Senior Vice President for Strategic Outreach, managing strategic planning, communications, and research. He lives in Lexington, Mass., with his wife Melissa and sons Tomas and Andy.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Owner's owner's manual June 26, 2012

By A. Bergamini

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Terrific book!

I'm 58. A few months ago I realized that my daily routine had become way too comfortable and, well, easy. I have a good job that I'm good at. I swim, do yoga or run every day. On weekends I garden, do projects and invite the kids over for Sunday dinner. I love my wife and we are very happy.

I also wake up every morning with aches, pains and stiffness. I have a fairly short list of things I like to do and I feel I'm losing my mental edge. I'd just as soon walk away from a political argument than join it, and I give up on the extra hard Sudokus way too quickly.
I'm thinking it's time to shake things up a bit, so I headed over to Amazon to search for ideas Turns out there are tons of books related to this. I found books on the aging brain, improving mental activity, and memory, books on improving the social life of empty nesters, books on middle aged "safe" exercise, books on" Happiness Theory" (really?), books on the importance of spirituality, and on and on.

As I browsed Amazon, I realized that my real question was one of balance. Is there any guidance as to how much time I should be spending doing exercise, vs. Socializing, vs. challenging my mind, vs. spending time with family etc? Is there a recommended balance of activities that will properly exercise and stimulate my mind, body and spirit?

Ultimately my Amazon browsing brought me to this book. It had just been published and there were no reviews but I bought it anyway based on the description. I just finished reading it and started to put its suggestions into daily practice. (learning Japanese and joining a choir).

This is not a guru book filled with philosophy and feel-goodisms (although some Gurus are reviewed). This is a book full of concrete advice and exercises that promote a "hosistic blending of socializing, moving, thinking and creating".

The prose is clear and straightforward. All in all, it's an excellent and fun read that you will likely find yourself going back to many times.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Master your life and your aging for greater satisfaction and joy ... yep, this book will help. June 28, 2012

By Book Mark

Format:Hardcover

Perhaps there has never been any generation more interested in having a successful and happy journey through old age than the current wave of seniors -- the Baby Boomers. This group is the least likely to simply take what comes -- they want the very best that old age can offer. That's the purpose of this book: to equip aging Boomers with the mental tools and habits necessary for a fruitful and fulfilling seniority.

The author takes the reader beyond brain health, into the world of true mental health, which necessarily involves new and stimulating experiences -- learning and travel being at the top of the list. But what are the first steps? The opportunities are so vast that the initial stages of this period of potential joy can be daunting. But despair, disappointment, and regret are not requirements of old age.

Drawing from real life stories of successful aging, the author provides a "road map" toward happiness for seniors. This means seizing life and chasing dreams. It means staying engaged in stimulating and fulfilling activities. And it means doing everything that's possible to maximize happiness -- and there are the real-life stories, based on hundreds of hours of phone interviews, to show you the way.

On days when you're feeling a bit, well, "weatherbeaten," and maybe want to be able to get the blood pumping without actually getting... out of bed... check out Get Fit in Bed by Tartell and Kavanau. And for an invigorating and inspiring -- even life-giving -- view of the world, check out Reenchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Your book has given me hope during one of the toughest times I never would have imagined. Thank you! March 22, 2013

By Jamie "Word Guardian"

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am slowly reading your words having been diagnosed with MS 5 years ago. Within 18 months, I went from a cane, to 3 walkers, a wheelchair, scooter, and hopefully this great battery operated wheelchair.Yes,we do lose family and friends, but new friends and great books add SO MUCH!