Author Description

Dear Readers, You are about to delve into a collection of stories from some of the world's most seasoned souls–centenarians and supercentenarians who have weathered a century of both sorrow and success. My 100-Year-Old Friends–In Their Words recollects firsthand accounts from some of the oldest people in the world. By interviewing remarkable people from all walks of life – including an Omaha Beach survivor, a vacuum salesman, and a world traveler – this nonfiction work features nine individuals with strong voices who have lived through a century of tragedies and triumphs. It is the first book in the series and is available today in complete form. In Chapter 1, Supercentenarian Morrie Markoff (110) reflects on his rough East Harlem roots, his eighty years of marriage, and the impressive titles of “America’s oldest man,” "Oldest blogger in the world," and "Oldest Jew in the World." Chapter 2 follows Supercentenarian Mary Ransopher (112) from birth (eight months after the Titanic disaster in 1912) to 112. Her Quaker family settled among the Indiana sticks once inhabited by the original settlers, the Miami Indians. The other chapters feature centenarians like Hellen Guthrie (107), a Navy veteran who helped decipher German codes; Frank Swingle (102), a veteran who hit a hole-in-one at ninety-three and drove his precious Cadillac until he reached ninety-eight; Charles Fromer (102) a WWII Omaha Beach (Normandy) survivor; and Sue Guest (101), keeper of 600 clocks, with a family history marred by tragedy–her brother and mother took their lives, and her brother killed his wife before taking his life. Sue's mother was adopted at forty by a wealthy German banker. Barbara Smith (101) grew up in Amityville, embracing her spirited and self-centered youth. Rita Wells (101) served three federal judges and discovered her fairytale romance at 69 with a WWII pilot. Rosemary Westbrook (100) shares a rich tapestry of family tales fill