Price: $13.57

December 16, 2008.

Looks Interesting.

Rating: 3
I have not yet had a chance to read the book. It was shipped in a timely manner and I am looking forward to reading it.

December 21, 2008.

I Have a Choice.

Rating: 5
Moving into and passing through the unknown stages of "aging," is frightening. None of the previous stages of my life have been filled with such uncertainty. Perhaps this is because I never thought of them as the LAST stage. There was always the FUTURE. In searching for meaning as I explore aging, I found The Next Fifty Years. The chapters and sections as well as the opportunities for reflective commemtary are helping me regain both my perspective and my courage as I work to make these "senior" years my best and most rewarding.

December 31, 2008.

The Next Fifty Years.

Rating: 5
This is a fantastic book and a great reference to help you get through some of the challenging times as we age (most of the challenges are in our head).
The Next Fifty Years gives you some grounding, puts your life into perspective. I love it.

December 04, 2008.

A Workbook Sprinkled With Flashes of Humor.

Rating: 5
I liked this workbook. It is comprehensive and divided into four sections: Thoughts, Cultural Attitudes and Myths about Women Aging; Who we are, Who and What We Live With; and Looking Forward. In her introduction, Blair suggests that we skip sections which do not apply to us. All of her short essays are followed by space in which to respond to questions such as "how does this feel?" or, more specifically, asking for a response to the issue addressed.

There were sections which did not pique my curiosity and I did read through those quickly. However, on a whole, the issues addressed are those which we, as women in the second half of life, should be thinking about. Her style gives us an opportunity for reflection, but does not ask us to spend hours thinking and writing. One could work through a section or even a few pages, put it down, pick it up and still follow the flow of the concepts.

Blair's book is intended to be used as a personal journal but could be used in a discussion/writing group following the study guide in the back or any other format deemed fitting for a group of women. It is well written researched and easy to follow.

The titles of her essays are enough to entice one to read. For example: Myths to Not Live By, Changing Tempo, Aging Can Be Fun? Ages and Stages and An Attitude of Gratitude. There is a long bibliography and a study guide. Her writing is pleasing and her flashes of humor and mini-stories about herself keep The Next Fifty Years from being a dry workbook. Blair feels that "we have an assignment to make clear our role in society: to inscribe the possibilities of age on the guideposts to the future."

by Judith Helburn
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing Books by, for, and about women

December 29, 2008.

A Must-read for women 50+.

Rating: 5
Thought-provoking, comprehensive, and chock full of pertinent information, Pamela Blair's book is an invaluable guide for the woman crossing over to midlife.
The reader can explore every aspect of what lies ahead for her as an older woman in 150 short essays that range from cultural attitudes and myths about aging women to such practical matters as health, finances, and relationships.
The author poses questions at the end of each essay to which the reader can respond to by journaling right in the book, making it a highly personal experience.
As an added bonus, a study guide is provided at the end of the book for women who wish to meet in discussion groups using The Next Fifty Years.
This book is the perfect companion for the woman who wants to better understand and enter in celebratory fashion midlife and beyond.

- Chloe Jon Paul