
We aspire to live in a country where old men are celebrated as vital elders but not demeaned if they become ill and dependent. We aspire to maintain health as well as maintain dignity and fulfillment in frailty. Old Man Country helps readers see and imagine these possibilities for themselves. The book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom, as he encounters twelve distinguished American men over 80 -- including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world's most famous heart surgeon. In these and other intimate conversations, the book explores and honors the particular way that each man faces four challenges of living a good old age: Am I still a man? Do I still matter? What is the meaning of my life? Am I loved? Readers will come to see how each man -- even the most famous -- faces universal challenges. Personal stories about work, love, sexuality, and hope mingle with stories about illness, loss and death. This book will strengthen each of us as we and our loved ones anticipate and navigate our way through the passages of old age.
This book investigates how aging men navigate the existential and physical challenges of late life to find meaning and dignity. Thomas R. Cole, a professor and expert in the humanities and medicine, utilizes his background to frame these inquiries. He presents a series of intimate interviews to explore how individuals reconcile their past achievements with the realities of frailty and dependency.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Critics and readers often note the reflective, humanistic tone of the interviews, which provides a nuanced look at the psychological landscape of late adulthood. Experts highlight this as a valuable contribution to the literature on aging, particularly for its focus on the dignity of the individual within the context of inevitable decline.
Page Count:
190
Publication Date:
2019-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190690003
ISBN-13:
9780190690007
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