On Getting Old for the First Time

Book is humorous. Clever. Witty. A fun-read. It was a "hit" birthday gift to a friend who is just 'going over the hill.'

Peg Bracken (Mrs. John Ohman of Portland, Oregon), renowned author of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK and ten other equally worthwhile published works, is now past age 80, and like Frank Lloyd Wright, still working full time at what she does best, satiric essay writing with a homespun yet bitingly witty edge. Ms. Bracken is a 1940 graduate of Ohio's famous Antioch College, one of the world's most important and individualistic higher education centers. Peg Bracken is certainly a daughter of Antioch, individualistic, outspoken, charming, and intelligent in ways disarming, yet very easy to relate to and admire. The subject of her latest book is Old Age, and she writes about her subject in her well known humorous way in almost a journalistic style. Her writing about her personal experiences as an "Older Person" is what the American Association For Retired Persons magazine should offer, but, sadly, never does. It is relevant, poignant, and filled with important observations skillfully cradled in diplomatic and humane style, always self-deprecating and fraught with wit and humor created by a person obviously born with a gift in those areas. Peg Bracken really covers her subject in almost all areas one could wish and does so in only 125 pages, happily presented in readable, larger than average typeface, ideal for comfortable reading and reflecting. I read the first chapter of ON GETTING OLD FOR THE FIRST TIME in a Cockeysville, Maryland (suburban Baltimore) public library, and found myself laughing out loud so noisily that the usually tolerant librarians on duty were forced to make several visits to my reading location, and ask me to quiet down. I really did try to accommodate them, but Peg Bracken's wit is so astonishing and infectious, I finally realized that, for me, her book would only be readable in a non-public location. It's too funny for public library located consumption. This said, it should be noted her subject matter is very serious, and the implied conclusions raised by her intelligent writing constitute the best food for thought I've ever read by any author, ancient or modern, on the subject of Old Age. Get this book and read it. Buy it. Keep it at home, and re-read it again and again over the years. Encourage your local public library system, nursing homes, retirement communities, and booksellers to stock multiple copies at all times, and to publicize it continuously. This modest little book is a classic, and though the self-effacing Ms. Bracken would likely be the first to deny it, a true work of genious. In today's world, we need all the genious and wisdom we can get, especially on the subject of Old Age.