The Art and Science of Aging Well: A Physician's Guide to a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit eBook: Williams M.D., Mark E.: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store
In the past century, average life expectancies have nearly doubled, and today, for the first time in human history, many people have a realistic chance of living to eighty or beyond. As life expectancy increases, Americans need accurate, scientifically grounded information so that they can take full responsibility for their own later years. In The Art and Science of Aging Well, Mark E. Williams, M.D., discusses the remarkable advances that medical science has made in the field of aging and the steps that people may take to enhance their lives as they age. Through his own observations and by use of the most current medical research, Williams offers practical advice to help aging readers and those who care for them enjoy personal growth and approach aging with optimism and even joy.
The Art and Science of Aging Well gives a realistic portrait of how aging occurs and provides important advice for self-improvement and philosophical, spiritual, and conscious evolution. Williams argues that we have considerable choice in determining the quality of our own old age. Refuting the perspective of aging that insists that personal, social, economic, and health care declines are persistent and inevitable, he takes a more holistic approach, revealing the multiple facets of old age. Williams provides the resources for a happy and productive later life.
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Amy rated it liked it
I typically do not write reviews because there are usually so many; however I haven't seen much info about this book.
I found the book informative, but not engaging. There were chapters on the history of aging or more accurately how the elderly were perceived from the days of the romans until the twentieth century that were not compelling - though perhaps others might find this historical perspective more interesting than I did. I did like having a slightly better understanding of how the body ages and why; yet, I felt the emotional aspect of aging - how people feel about themselves- could have been explored in greater depth. Perhaps that's my central complaint- I felt some topics were covered in a cursory manner while others were far too detailed.
It's a quick read so if you want an overview this might fit the bill. (less)
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Colin
Feb 09, 2017Colin rated it liked it
Nothing too surprising, but there is some insight from a reasonable practitioner. I enjoyed his observation that we all remember being young, but don't have memory of being old; so we tend to look upon the elderly with little understanding, more as foreign and other.
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Illiterate
Oct 23, 2018Illiterate rated it it was ok
Good summary of science on aging. Diluted by pop history, bland spirituality, and “uplifting” quotes.
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Rob
Mar 26, 2017Rob rated it really liked it
Good summary of latest research on aging. Not a lot of new things but worth the reminders.
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Maureen
Jun 11, 2017Maureen rated it really liked it
Williams list of secrets of aging differ from those of Patrick Holford's (The 10 Secrets of Healthy Ageing). Williams suggests 5 secrets as: Appreciate Your Reality, Challenge Your Body, Stimulate Your Intellect, Manage Your Emotions, Nurture Your Spirit. His section on recognizing the emotional baggage of aging was interesting. Appreciated his references to the successful talents of aged artists/composers. He compares Michelangelo's Pieta completed at age 24 to his Deposition or Florentine Pieta completed in his 80s as well as referencing Goya, O'Keefe, Bach, Beethoven who created great works in old age. He recommends we older people identify with the light, rather than the bulb. "Am I the bulb that carries the light, or am I the light for which the bulb is a vehicle?"
"Each of us is to create our own unique purpose for being here. It's our choice" (less)
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Stacy Charlesbois
Jan 26, 2017Stacy Charlesbois rated it liked it
excellent advice, though wordy and didactic. more general than specific.
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Diana
Aug 25, 2016Diana rated it it was ok
Shelves: nonfiction, wellness
Sorry, but I didn't really learn anything new.
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Mary Rank
May 08, 2019Mary Rank rated it really liked it
The author is a clinical professor of medicine at UNC with an active clinical practice. So I think he's legit. He explains how our bodies age and encourages us to take steps to enhance our lives as we age. He's upbeat and realistic. He backs up his advice with solid science. I found this book inspirational. Don't settle. Read this book. It's only about 200 pages.
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Dennis Cuffel
Nov 01, 2018Dennis Cuffel rated it really liked it
For the most part, this is a difficult topic - how do we grow old. The book combines some highly technical medical language / terminology with approaches for aging well and setting realistic expectation. Everyone can walk away with new or re-enforced habits for living a health life.
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Lidja
Mar 12, 2018Lidja rated it liked it
Shelves: 2018
As another reviewer said, this book is very informative but not very engaging. The best part is the second chapter: Eight Aging Myths You Don’t Have to Fall For (pp. 15-25). It’s all downhill from there. Haha. :)
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Alyson Fortune
Feb 01, 2018Alyson Fortune rated it it was ok
This was really tedious. If this had not been on audiobook I would not have finished. There were a few interesting factoids which raised the bar from one star to two. Too much history/philosophy review, generic rhetoric, or medical details.
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Linda Hyder
Aug 09, 2017Linda Hyder rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Love this book
I'm 70, beginning the aging process. This book has so many good points. I will want to read one more.
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Terry Croyle
Jun 03, 2019Terry Croyle added it · review of another edition
Nice job, Dr. Williams !
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Paul Loh
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book. I waited for some time for the ...
Reviewed in the United States on 31 July 2016
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Very good book. I waited for some time for the book to be published, and it is well worth waiting for. One of the best books I have read about aging. Quite well rounded and covers many aspect including physiological development of human body, diet, spiritual and mental strength building. Each of these did not get too technical so that it is easy to read. In fact I will be reading this over and over so as to help me internalize on some of the guidance provided by Dr Mark Williams.
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Rabbits Rafferty
5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Williams's book is GREAT! In it
Reviewed in the United States on 4 September 2016
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Mark Williams's book is GREAT! In it, he presents 5 goals for all people to work toward as they grow older. The research-based reason for each goal is explained, and practical, hands-on ways to accomplish it follow. The book is full of relevant quotes from famous people and humorous anecdotes that make it fun and interesting to read. I have added it to my personal library and plan to recommend it to family and friends.
9 people found this helpful
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