How to Grow Old

Ancient Wisdom for the Second Half of Life

By: Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philip Freeman - introduction, Philip Freeman - translation

Narrated by: Roger Clark

Length: 1 hr and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Worried that old age will inevitably mean losing your libido, your health, and possibly your marbles too? Well, Cicero has some good news for you. In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all - and why you might discover that reading and gardening are actually far more pleasurable than sex ever was.

Filled with timeless wisdom and practical guidance, Cicero's brief, charming classic - written in 44 BC and originally titled On Old Age - has delighted and inspired audiences, from Saint Augustine to Thomas Jefferson, for more than 2,000 years. Presented here in a lively new translation with an informative new introduction, the book directly addresses the greatest fears of growing older and persuasively argues why these worries are greatly exaggerated - or altogether mistaken.

Montaigne said Cicero's book "gives one an appetite for growing old." The American founding father John Adams read it repeatedly in his later years. And today its lessons are more relevant than ever in a world obsessed with the futile pursuit of youth.

©2016 Philip Freeman (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

excellent book

the way it was read was a little sleepy but this is really a great book. there are so many great points that really make you think about things in a different way.

Timeless

The thoughts of this author, after more than two millennia, are relevant, wise, and a must listen or read for people of any age. As the author makes clear, a happy old age begins when we are young.

Amazingly rich

A work that should be red and listen to again and again long before old age.

Great insights

Worth listening to again and again. The narrator’s voice takes you back to the Roman era.

Growing Old He Says Is A Good Thing.

Many of us naturally know and agree with much of what is said here. Yet I found it helpful to hear his arguments against our culture that downplays the value of growing old. This old text is proof of its own point.

Great wisdom - why the fake british accent?

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this short book. Ancient wisdom!

Narrator - Why not read in your natural accent - I thought I was watching Game of Thrones or visiting a Renaissance fair. Good voice, but meandering accent.

Classic

If you are a student Greek philosophy, you won’t find that much new material in this book. That being said, the book is short and relatively concise, and serves as ancient Cliff Notes version of Socrates’ Dialogues in his discussions regarding aging and living a good life. As such, the book is a good introduction to classical philosophy. Fans of Cicero and Socrates will feel right at home.

Good stuff

Wisdom for the ages
Good performance as well
Give it a listen
I think you’ll enjoy it

Old Age: A Primer

A primer for senior citizens: what to do and what to avoid in old age.

Good narration.

such a powerful and insightful message

incredibly knowledgeable insights on what it is to grow old and why we should not fear it