The Hourglass Solution: A Boomer's Guide to the Rest of Your Life

When I started reading "Hourglass Solution" (after a friend recommended it)I expected a dry discourse on what I should have done when younger and what it's too late to do now. Not so: this is a book for 40's and 50's and 60's and even beyond. The authors recount situations faced by "boomers" around the country (from personal interviews) and offer comments and insights in a lively, even charming author-to-author dialog. They don't often give answers; rather they nudge the reader to find answers on his/her own. I was particularly taken with sections on the "baggage"--real and emotional-- we carry into middle and later years. What a relief to let some/all of that go they suggest.

Authors Jeff johnson and Paula Forman have continued the progress of advising and chronicling the times and trials of the Boomer Generation. In their timely book, "The Hourglass Solution: A Boomer's Guide to the Rest of Your Life" they have managed to touch on many facets of modern day life and the perils and pitfalls that have befallen this generation as they age. I believe this book can be even more of a help to younger generations. Much wisdom could be gleamed from what some "Boomers" did, or did not do, to help their own situations now in these economical times. This is a smart and practical guide - even if reading it for some "Boomers" may become a painful refection of some of their own bad choices they have already made - and the realization that there are continually less good choices that they can still make that will impact them in the future. The book is written well, and keeps the reader engaged. I liked the format with the "conversations" between the authors. I think that enhances the presentation of the facts and ideas. I found this book reminding me of a long ago written book called "Passages" in a positive and supportive way. I think this would be a thoughtful gift for anyone with "Boomer" parents, or friends, or for themselves. There is something of value here for all readers even much younger ones.

I found The Hourglass Solution to be one of the most relevant and helpful books I have had the pleasure to read. By an odd coincidence I recently had a conversation (before reading the book) about someone close to us that was "stuck" and literally could not wait to die. It was tragic but spot on with the Hourglass concept. The 'solutions' are not prescriptive instructions about what to do or not do. Instead, it offers a way to look at (and for) choices that may not be so apparent. Someone once said 'vision is the ability to see the invisible'. The Hourglass Solution helps us see what may be invisible to us. Thanks Jeff and Paula for having such a positive impact on our lives.

I found The Hourglass Solution very helpful in showing a new way of looking at life--a way that expands one's horizons and options, not constraining them. Rather than seeing life after 50 as one of limitations, the authors point out various methods of getting "unstuck" in this thinking in order to find out what works for you--physically, psychologically and socially. The range of stories told were helpful to me in visualizing possible solutions to my future. Rather than focusing on the past, it shows how to look toward the future and create new paths. I found the give-and-take between the authors a particularly effective method, one which showed that there is no one answer and that we're all experimenting with our next phase. If one solution doesn't work, then it's time to try another!!

I am only a few pages into your book (subway reading on my way to the pharmaphyscologist's office), and I'm hooked. This is the first time I've gotten a sense of "us" as a generation, and myself as an individual affected by "our" events. That word OUR is important because I do now feel like I own a series of actions and attitudes that describe the why and how of me. I turn 62 soon, and I'm stuck. I need this book right now. Thank you for your rock solid deductions, intuition, research, and easy writing style. I'm sure I'll have more to say later. Bill Demma