Rules for Aging: A Wry and Witty Guide to Life

As an official old geezer (who keeps dreaming he was young and healthy again) I experience the same problems and health issues most old people do; however, I try to keep my spirits high even while using my walker. I have read numerous humorous books on aging lately but this one (Rules for aging: Resist normal impulses live longer attain perfection by Roger Rosenblatt) has become my favorite book on the subject. This wonderful and insightful book has 58 practical and realistic tips for anyone who has luckily achieved the status of now being called an old man (or woman). If you have lived long enough to be an old geezer you probably do not need this book, but for a lot of laughs, as well as practical advice, this is a book you will want to read. Like a lot of readers you will have your favorite tips and you may not agree with all of them; nevertheless, this book will make you think and possibly review, some of the things you presently may believe about aging. Some of these tips include the following: “It doesn’t matter, nobody is thinking about you (I loved this one), let bad enough alone (great advice), boo yourself off the stage, yes you did, after the age of 30, it is unseemly to blame one’s parent’s for one’s life, if something is boring you, it is probably you, swine rules” (so true about swine) and many other great gems of wisdom. If you are an old geezer who refuses to grow old and adjust to your new “brave” and arthritic way of life, you need to read this book. For all others who are under 60 you need to read this book to find out what is ahead in your life, if you live that long. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute)

Follow Rosenblatt's rules and how you age will be a gift to those you care about most. The are simply and amusingly illustrated. I turn seventy this year. Aging is not the main thing about me anymore because I found my passion in writing and learned to create legacy through that passion. Aging is a subplot in my life, though. Growing old is always there, hauntingly revealing the gradual decline and suggesting the prospect of that suddenly-one-moment incident that change everything. These inevitable truths overwhelmed me once, but no more. I'm living life full out until the end—riding them all the way to a good goodbye. "Rules for Aging" has been a contributor to that perspective. I loved the "It Doesn't Matter" and "Nobody is Thinking of You" chapters, which remind me to make my life crazy wonderful for my own sake. Then others will revel in my delight. My buoyant frame of mind is a gift to those who care about me. I create legacy for them and future generations by how I choose to live the final years of my life. How important is that? I particularly like Rosenblatt's suggestions that if you are bored, you are probably boring. I've noticed among my friends that those who have no passion, who have nothing going on, tell the same old stories over and over. They are creating no new ones. You can only do so much of that before boring everyone into oblivion. I wish those people could read this book. It is a virtual wealth of fresh and inspiring thoughts on how to live life full out. I highly recommend Rules for Aging book to anyone over fifty and those who care about them. What a gift it would be to give such a book to an older person who is not aging with bravado or to someone just entering the third trimester of their life. The message in this book is don't waste all those years.

I’m retired and 76 so a lot these rules are ones I learned the hard way - in person. I worked with politicians, CEOs and academic all of whom rarely believe in rules for themselves. If I was working - I’d hand this book out at my first meeting and require its reading along with the multivitamin I insisted on. What a great Little book. If it had a red cover it would be my new little red book! Thank you for this Roger. With hugs k

A quick, fun read. Good advice, but like most advice, difficult to follow. But it’s ok, because, “ it just doesn’t matter”. Enjoy the ride.

I thought this would be a funny gift for a friend's 50th birthday. It was a hit! He told me that I should have given it to him 30 years ago! Yep. It is witty and clever, but insightful and filled with life wisdom for anyone entering their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, and those who have yet to learn what these pages share. I'll be buying it again and again and again! Love it!

This book is a great brain and belly tickler for those of us over 60...or 70! Roseblatt is such an intelligent, thoughtful, and witty writer. Each page offers a unique insight into aging and its accompanying challenges. But at the same time, he offers alternative ways of looking at the challenges so we can have a good laugh. Read it. Share it. Reread it!

I wish I had this book when I was 20-something! I was so impressed and amused by this book that I bought two copies, one hard back and one paperback, and am sending the paperback to a good friend. The book is full of good advice, writen with humor and in an entertaining way, which in no fashion diminishes the true value of the advice! The best part is that the book is concise, short enough that even those who are not inclined to read much, can polish off this book in a day or two. Good advice, for making yourself happy, getting ahead in the world, living a long and healthy life, presented in an amusing way. Highest recommendations!

The author tries very hard to be witty; unfortunately it often falls flat. For example here are some of the chapter titles: "To thine own self be true-- unless you would like to be someone else" or "Ignore your enemy or kill him", " Never think on vacation". It was not what I expected. Not sure why there were so many positive reviews, but sarcasm doesn't always stand the test of time and perhaps it is starting to show it's age of 15 years.

perfect presentation

Perfect toilet reading. Pithy and wise. Made me laugh out loud more than once and think a bit which is all I was expecting. Going to purchase his sequel!

A short and satisfying read. Good advice for those of us getting older. I liked “no one cares” the best.

The book is pithy and concise in terms of style, and wryly apropos in terms of content. Read it just for the pure joy of it. You might even pick up a pointer or two!

Read the title, that is what it is. Intrigued? Then read it. Apparently I need 8 more words for this...