Independence Day

What I Learned About Retirement from Some Who’ve Done It and Some Who Never Will

De: Steve Lopez

Narrado por: Steve Lopez

"Steve Lopez is insightful, ingenious, and often hilarious as he navigates one of life's biggest questions." --Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Hours

Four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and longtime Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez explores the meaning of work and how it defines us in this captivating book that combines memoir, investigatory interviews, and practical application.

Grappling with his own decision of whether to retire, Lopez uses his reporter skills not only to look inward but also to interview experts and peers to collect a variety of perspectives as he examines the true nature of a person’s time, identity, and ultimate life satisfaction.

In Independence Day, Lopez talks to those who have chosen to extend their working life to its (il)logical extreme--people like Mel Brooks, still working at 94--those who have happily retired and reinvented themselves outside of the constraints of work, and those who would like to retire but can't because of financial constraints. He also turns to professionals on the matter, like two aging scientists, a geriatric specialist, and a psychiatrist, to understand the research-based reasons to retire.

With his trademark poignancy, wisdom, and humor, Lopez establishes a useful polemic for himself and others in planning ahead, as he also evaluates questions of identity, financial limitations, and ultimately what to do with your life when the obituary pages are no longer filled with strangers.

Reseñas de la Crítica

'In Independence Day, Steve Lopez offers us a master class in decision making. To a brilliant storyteller like Steve, a dry list of pros and cons simply won't suffice. Instead his personal quest becomes a journey of wisdom and soul-searching for us all. This is not only a book for anyone contemplating retirement, it is a book for all of us seeking the courage to make a change with insight and grace.'

'Hugely entertaining and informative, personal and universal, fun and funny, wise and beautifully written, 'Independence Day' is essential reading for anyone contemplating -- or not contemplating -- retirement. It's about why we work and how we live and all that does and does not change as we age.'

'I recommend this book to anybody. Not just a bunch of 67-year-olds.'

'Steve Lopez has written a wise, witty and wonderful book on the question of retirement -- something I'll never do unless I'm forced to by the comedy authorities. However, unlike me, if you're considering it, READ THIS BOOK!'

'Steve Lopez is a national treasure. He tackles the question of retirement with the humility, wit and lacerating insight that long ago made him America's best newspaper columnist. This is a smorgasbord of characters, incidents, and ideas, charming, funny, and often quite moving. It will make you think. It is an essential guide for all of us in life's gun lap, deciding whether to speed up, slow down, or wander happily off the track to trace patterns in the clouds.'

'Steve Lopez is insightful, ingenious, and often hilarious as he navigates one of life's biggest questions. Independence Day should be read by every boomer on the same path and wondering what comes next.'

'This is a work full of meaning for everyone measuring the days until they put down the tools of whatever trade they ply and walk off into the last quarter of life. It's proof that Steve Lopez should keep working because he's really good at what he does.'

Another great story from Steve Lopez

Great story as he asks the same questions I have about retirement. And we can certainly relate to his plight about the double whammy of facing retirement and the empty nest syndrome. Highly recommended.

Interesting journey on Steve's path to retirement

It was an interesting listen on Steve's path on and to retirement, with insight from others concerning their journey in life toward their golden years.

This was written during the COVID pandemic and into the following year, creating an annoying amount of references toward those who had opposing opinions to what Steve wrote about in his day work.

His political persuasion intermixed with the story reduced my ratings. However, it is his book, story, and journey, so he can do as he wishes.

I recently retired, and a friend recommended this book to me after I retired. I had a very similar experience during my journey over the year leading up to the last day of over forty years in Corporate America for one of the largest companies in the world. Although I didn't meet with celebrities, I did talk to others who were very similar to those Steve chatted with, and their advice was similar to what Steve concluded.

I recommend the book if retirement is on the horizon, and you are interested in opinions of many different people.

As someone thinking about retiring

This was so compelling and thoughtful. As in I am so full of thoughts now I’m compelled to think about it. Loved this book!

Exactly what I was looking for at 58

Steve Lopez gives a rare and candid insight into the questions of retirement. I love how he is able to make it personal and how we learn about his daughter Caroline and his wife Alison.
From the beginning of the book to the end it will make you laugh and make you think of your own family and situation and perhaps shed a tear or two ,
I think it’s interesting that someone with so much success still struggles with the same issues that many of us face. Steve bleeds in extraordinary life but yet you can tell his passion for the profession drives him, which intern gives us a great listen.
Great voice and intonation as well considering he’s a writer… Lol
The questions answered about aging.
Will we be bored when we retire will our marriage survive, will we die younger than we would’ve if we would’ve kept working, will we be broke, will we be happy, will we end up working in a discount store as a cashier at 70 years of age , because, the economy shifted. All of these questions are answered in a very thorough manner, I highly recommend it for yourself if you are at “that age”
… Great job Steve thank you for writing this book ! It has helped me understand how to make the decision for myself.

Valuable Considerations for the Next Phase

My retirement (sabbatical?) begins on January 1, so I had already made my decision to step away from my current work with the same company after 43 years. This book helped me consider all aspects and gave me validation that I was taking the right steps for me. I also got additional advice to assure my success and happiness in this next phase.