Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives? (Paperback)

~ (Author)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The subtitle's question is posed to baby boomers; the author's answers offer an array of arresting possibilities. Davidson, whose book Loose Change tracked three '60s Berkeley radicals, interviews well-known men and women as well as ordinary citizens and deals with such subjects as sex in the age of Cialis, finding work that expresses your purpose in life, finding a community to grow old with and finding a spiritual path. Davidson weaves in her own story, contrasting her decision to remain a writer with Marcia Seligson's midlife choice to give up a writing career to found a musical theater. Some of the "leaps" represent spiritual transformation, such as how Sally Kempton left the ashram where she had been a disciple of Swami Muktananda for 27 years and adopted a new life of teaching and writing. Davidson compares the late marriage of Gloria Steinem at age 66 with Jane Fonda's ability to finally live without a man after her divorce from Ted Turner. Many of Davidson's subjects are from her own social circles, so her book won't apply to everyone. But her engaging and provocative anecdotes will inspire hope and creative thinking about the future in many readers. (Feb. 20)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Thirty years ago, Sara Davidson wrote the phenomenal bestseller Loose Change, the definitive book about the boomer generation’s coming-of-age. Now this witty social observer has again turned her discerning eye to her contemporaries, with Leap!, a no-holds-barred, illuminating, and hopeful look at the choices and challenges we face and the roads open to us.

For many years Davidson earned a living as a successful journalist and screenwriter, but in her fifties she saw her life come apart: She could no longer find work, she endured a break-up with her partner, and her children left for college. For the first time ever, she had nothing to do. She felt adrift, but she found that she was not alone.

In Leap!, Davidson sets out on a passionate quest to learn how to do the coming years well. Drawing on her own experience and that of others, she explores such questions as

• How does a high-powered person learn to walk down the ladder gracefully?
• How can women continue to be sensual and not touch-deprived?
• How do we arrange to grow old with our friends?
• What will be the fire at the center of our lives?
• Why are we still here?

Davidson interviews people from across the country and from all walks of life, including such icons as Carly Simon, Tom Hayden, Tracy Kidder, Jane Fonda, Ram Dass, and Iman, as well as teachers, writers, psychologists, businesspeople, and spiritual leaders. The candid portraits are both inspiring and cautionary.

True to character, boomers will approach these years differently from previous generations, and there will be no single path. Some will feel free for the first time to take risks; others will embark upon a spiritual search; some will want to give back, to make the world a better place; others will want to play or make creativity a priority. But they will not fade quietly into the sunset.

With Leap!, Sara Davidson holds up a mirror for readers, allowing them to see not only themselves and those around them but their potential future. With Davidson as a guide, the possibilities are boundless.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345478096
• ISBN-13: 978-0345478092
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #154,837 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Speaks to the Affluent , March 24, 2007

By	J. Grattan "book reviewer" (Lawrenceville, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives? (Hardcover)

For those interested in what the affluent in professions, the media, or entertainment are doing once retired even in their early fifties, this is the book for you. If, on the other hand, one is interested in a book that even slightly addresses the issues of old age, health problems, forced job loss, age discrimination, etc for those of average resources, this book is not helpful.

The author, a journalist, screenwriter, and author of other books, is attempting to solve her predicament of being in her mid-sixties and finding reduced marketability by observing how others of her economic status are coping with old age and retirement. However, the angst that the author feels while encamped in her million-dollar-plus retreat in Colorado, pondering her future, can hardly compare to the problems of an older, dedicated worker unceremoniously dumped, pensionless, and unable on meager earnings to have put away sufficient retirement funds.

Clearly work in the entertainment and media sector is volatile, especially so for those over fifty, yet many of many of those she interviewed rejuvenated sagging careers due to contacts that few would have. The doctors, dentists, lawyers, CEOs, etc who she interviewed, their financial futures secure, have largely turned to providing some kind of assistance to the needy, especially overseas, but one is left to guess as to long-term sustainability of such. One is struck by how limited are the range of pursuits.

Many, who the author consults, give the rather constant advice to pursue creative interests regardless of talent or reward. It is acknowledged that for those without financial security, starting a small business may be the only route open, though realistic possibilities for success are little discussed.

A far bigger topic than the author is willing to pursue is why the need for retirement for creative work. Correspondingly, how realistic is it to urge a path of creativity or entrepreneurship after forty years of mind-numbing conformity?

This book is primarily the author's quest for the answer to her question of what to do with rest of her life. It will probably appeal to and be read by the similarly-situated or wannabes. Don't look for much in the way of conclusions. Also, for those who wish to follow in the author's footsteps, bring lots of cash to journey to sit at the feet of numerous shyster gurus.

76 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great writing on an important subject, February 20, 2007

By	John Zxerce "[e-mail]" (Colorado ^^^) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives? (Hardcover)

Davidson's `Leap' is essentially about what we do after work and before death. She answers with an array of loosely attached anecdotal answers showing the tenuous relationship between the success and wealth of baby-boomers and the ideals they experienced and held in the 1960's.

Her discussion on aging seems to settle for the more Oprah-friendly answers of - "Don't fight it. Get used to it. Accept and embrace it. Take care of your health and sanity." Of course she writes in a more engaging style and as a result her words aren't nearly as blandly stated. At the same time I wanted more substance, significance, and deeper answers - those she's found to be true about the human condition, beauty, morality, and life.

She writes, "I can't sleep either. I fall asleep but wake at 2 a.m., shaking with fear. What am I supposed to do for the next 30 years? I've raised my kids, written best sellers, had deep love ... Why am I still here?"

That is the ultimate question, and in asking this question one faces what Davidson calls `going through the narrows'.

She goes on to say, "While there's no single route through the narrows, I can tell you that there's sunlight and air at the other side. What became clear for me may be utterly different than for you. I've talked with a man who's building a hospital in Uganda, a woman who's becoming a nun at 50, a couple who are adopting a child at 61. Others have a passion to live near their families and play golf."

My question is, "Is there no hierarchy in our choices?" She seems to suggest that all decisions are equally valid. You can play golf, watch tv, help the homeless - whatever works for you. I'm not sure if I buy this. Certainly a diversity of involvement in life can result in a well-rounded person. However, aren't some pursuits more worthwhile, more rewarding, and more fulfilling? If we are here for a reason, then what is that reason and how do I best live my life in light of that reason? What I mean is, if we're here for a purpose then should we seek to fulfill that purpose? This is what I wish Davidson had asked.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A healing message for those in grief, May 19, 2007

By	S. Kayton (Menlo Park, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives? (Hardcover)

Sara Davidson may not have been aware when she wrote Leap! that it would not only be a guide for aging baby boomers, but also a healing message for those in grief.

Let me explain. I was intrigued by the Newsweek review of the book, and bought it in March shortly after it came out. However, I didn't read it right away. I have a high stress Silicon Valley job that leaves little time for reading books. "I'll get to it when I get a chance," I told myself.

Regrettably, in the past month, I have had that chance. I've been on leave from my job since mid-April, when my 22-year old son drowned in a boating accident. Among other grief counseling, I have read "grief" related books people recommended -- but they were not terribly satisfactory.

So over the last week, I picked up Leap! from my stack of unread books, and read it. Leap! has done more to focus my mind on what to do under these tragic circumstances than almost all, if not all, of the other things I have done. At a minimum, I am thinking about quitting my job (I can afford to) and live life as Davidson has suggested. My son's premature death has shown me that life is too short and uncertain to do anything else.

So many thanks to Sara Davidson for writing something that, inadvertenly or not, has been a true inspiration and source of comfort.

(This review written by Sue Kayton's husband using her account.)