I have gotten better life advice from random older people
921504
I gave up half way. There isn't any true wisdom in here. I didn't even take a liking for the author - came across as a huge egotist.
3731123
not only is it helpful for me personally, but having children, I will be better equipped to guide them and impart some wisdom as they get older
3592726
My elderly mother tells me she can understand me better when I'm talking to get through this than directly through my iPhone
1993578
I liked the short and simple way to remind people the basics to be better, yo enjoy life better and make this world a better place
108254
The title and rating, it's because these are my aunts comments.  I had purchased it for them.  It's a great help as it's makes life easy for them.
684405
I am a 93 year lady and it was easy for me to do with a little help from my friends than you arie brannan.
4781269
Middleton's clear crisp style of writing makes for an easy read; his personal nsights from talking with Centenarians makes for a fascinating and engaging read. This book can easily be read in an afternoon curled up on the couch but also as a ready reference for encouragement and guidance whenever needed. I enjoyed the stories of these admirable people but the cited references and famous quotes selected to support their stories added a new level of credibility to Middleton's insights.

I find myself excited to share this work with others: my 90 yr. old aunt who could use a hopeful message; to my four sons who look to me for guidance; to my sister who I want to share many more years with; to friends who are part of my support system; actually anyone who I really care about.

To me, this book is a guide for living a good, productive, happy life for any age. Who cannot benefit from that good news? Thank you, Marc, and those who worked by your side, to produce this meaningful work.
4879650
Updating my LinkedIn account, I found a message from a man who recently published a book asking me if Id do a review. Im a fan of books, and offering my opinion. He wrote it for his grandson, which is adorable and something to cherish. I wish I had books from my grandparents.

"Marital Advice to my Grandson, Joel" started off as a blog, offering bits of advice. Encouraging words from fans prompted the book to be written. Its a charming and funny read, albeit a bit exhaustingold fashion roles of men being clueless around the house, saying yes, dear to everything to keep the peace and women being obsessed with shopping and training their husbands run through the pages.

However, this is a grandpa giving his grandkid, who is now a young man, advice on how to not ruin his marriage, based on the success of his own union; every time he refers to his wife as Grandma, my heart grew a little bit more. I can totally hear a parental figure telling these stories repeatedly, each getting funnier as the years roll by, with perhaps the younger generations lovingly rolling their eyes at the roles men and women were once siloed into.

I found myself audibly groaning at parts (the yes dear thing gets old, husbands have the ability to cook real meals, not every woman loves shopping and the line about teaching a woman to swear nearly knocked me off my pilates ball), but the way the author writes is conversational and personal, and maybe meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

The author offers his views on picking out the perfect wedding date, to earning bragging rights, the look, paying attention to details, how to interpret body language, chivalry, owning a home, and thirteen magical words that help keep love alive, all wrapped up between covers of a book written humorously with love and hope.

The banana and the fart stories had me laughing, and the relating of actual life lessons from picking out the perfect card for special occasions to financial advice give the book a soul.

I related back to my own marriage and relationships since as I read "Marital Advice to my Grandson, Joel." I recalled a former neighbor, who was on his second marriage at the time, stating he wasn't a very good husband the first time around, and was working towards not repeating what he did wrong. It gave me perspective.

I wish Joel and Abby the best. I hope they embrace and learn from lifes lessons, and always remember why they got married.
4609761
I wish Garry had published this book a few years ago when I was going through my own formitive years!! Many of the episodes he narrates in the book had similarities with those of my own and I could have certainly benefited from some of Garry's ideas. Too bad one cannot live the past but I did enjoy reading the book as it is quite easy and fun to read. Most of us will learn or re-learn something from reading this book and at the same time enjoy some light hearted humor. I have commended this book to my two almost forty year old sons in the hope that they will learn some valuable life lessons as they go through the "Ride" of their lives. Almost any reader will get some benefit out of this book.
3448046
Are you feeling depressed about getting older? Do all your older friends continually talk about all their illnesses that seem inevitable as we hit midlife? I am turning 47 this year so I'm heading towards 50 at a rapid pace. This book put my mind more at ease about this time in my life.

This book brings a few good ideas to the surface. It discusses the realities of a midlife crisis and what to do about it. Stan Brown also explains how you should have great goals for the second half of your life. He doesn't believe this is the time to just sink into a recliner and disappear from life. Instead he suggests you jump out of an airplane (skydiving) or go on a tropical vacation. He also brings up practical ideas like taking up swimming.

There are two things that make this book very valuable. One is a book recommendation for keeping your teeth healthy. Another is the warning about taking too much melatonin. Insomnia is also discussed. Stan Brown gives ideas for the best sleep remedies and also gives a recommendation for a product that will keep you well when you get a cold or have the flu. There is also a book the author recommends for back pain.

While the author seems to think drinking wine is the thing to do I'd do more research on this subject. I've heard bad and good things about drinking in particular. Some say it causes disease and some say it prevents disease. I think I'm safer just not drinking at all. Plus by the time you are 50 you are probably on a prescription medication which usually states not to drink while taking the medication. So maybe skip the drinking and just take resveratrol.

Another thing I'd caution you about is quitting your job to start a business or quitting your job and then finding another job. Only do so if you are very confident about your future. The author seems to think this is a good idea but I'm skeptical. Also don't follow his advice with putting a picture of yourself on the refrigerator. You want a skinnier picture from your younger years as motivation. Otherwise your subconscious mind might get confused and keep you overweight.

So I feel this book has mostly good advice. With everything use caution and talk to your doctor before implementing anything drastic.

I'm glad I read this book and I think you will enjoy it too.

~The Rebecca Review
2876594
I love this book!  It's simple message has changed so much for me.

As I went through my closet (the first step) and asked myself if each garment gave me joy, I realized that some items most certainly did not. I had kept them because a friend or family member had given them to me. The item gave THEM joy but not me. This book gave me the courage to give those items to the local thrift shop where someone can buy them because they actually do give them joy.

I followed the plan with each item in my house and was able to give away the hideous tablecloth that my grandmother gave me, the ugly dishes that my mother-in-law gave me and a whole lots of gifts from my hubby and friends that didn't suit me at all. I had been hanging onto these items because it made them happy but my house was filled with so much that didn't bring me one tiny, tingle of joy.  Instead I was surrounded with joy robbing items that I been keeping just in case someone asked, "Do you still have that thing I gave you back in 1982?".

Since removing the items that don't bring me joy, my house is lean, clear, and roomy...just the way I want it! I've now moved on to applying this prinicple in other areas of my life and have freed up hours and hours of time.  I now have time to give to other people because it gives me joy to give it.

The simple principle in this book is so easy to grasp that I can't help asking myself how I missed it all of these years. I'm glad I have it now. There really is so much joy to be had once you learn how to grasp it.
4862120
I've implemented some of the ideas in this book and have really felt the difference in my life!  I am more organized and energized!
3976338
I'm 28 yrs old and this is the first time I feel like I've actually tidied up my room. The main point is throwing away stuff and only keeping things that "bring you joy". I followed her advice and started with my clothes (holy ----, that pile!) then went through the rest of the room. I threw away all kinds of things that I have kept since I was a kid. I was kind of hesitant while looking at the stuff, but boy, does it feel good to be rid of all that junk now. My room feels fresh for the first time in 15 years. I actually enjoy looking at my closet! And my drawers! I learned how to fold properly and to use shoe boxes as compartments in my large drawers so that I can see all the contents and pick out what I want right away. After reading the book, I was able to part with things that I kept that were still new or barely used (even if they were expensive). Basically, she thanks those items for their service (even if they only brought joy in the moment of purchase), then tosses 'em.
2534711
Only 50 Plus and the world is my oyster, or perhaps I should say I now have a 'stairway' to a new dream of my own business, and my second career. I really enjoyed the authors, clear  well researched down to earth writing style, and visual prompts. I really liked the practical advise on websites and legalities just the very thing I was struggling with. I was inspired by the many famous people who started their business over 50 - if they can do it so can I. I will be sure  to enjoy the encouragement  of the 1/3 of people who will love what I am doing , to support an I can do it even better now I am older mindset. The great thing is because I have earned my stripes in life I am passionately aligned with my reasons for setting up my business.  This book is very well rounded with good advise to support our mental and physical health. Watch out world I am ready for take off. Here I come.
1435750
A friend of mine got me this book as a gift to help me deal with my financial struggles and feel better about the crazy economic and job markets right now.  It is very old wisdom and I liked it since it was based on people who have been there and know how to make money, the richest people in the world.  It is long and sometimes the language is a bit weird, but the information is good.  I wish I had gotten this book a long time ago.
1025724
There is some very good advice in here and I can only wish that someone had turned me on to it when I was a young man. Knowing these ideas can change a young person's life, heading out into the world (although it seems like common sense, when you think about it...I didn't have much of that at eighteen).
2946811
I enjoyed this book. Some of the advice was advice that I'd heard before but there were some valuable nuggets that have already changed my mindset regarding home life and being "chic". I recommend this book to anyone except if you're quite picky about life advice books!