From Publishers Weekly
Scott, the Today show weatherman for more than 20 years, sees himself as an active 79-year-old. While he looks back fondly on his earlier jobs, e.g., as the first Ronald McDonald, he says that, with more time to spend with his family, he's quite happy at the moment. Scott declares that the happiest times of people's lives are their childhood and their "old age." To prove this thesis, he sought comments from a variety of individuals-famous and not-on their current lives. These comments provide surprisingly optimistic views among senior citizens. Most people say that they're happier by keeping busy-with volunteer work or jobs. Despite losing spouses or suffering serious illnesses, they feel more relaxed than when they worked because they needed their salary. One man says, "When at the tender age of eighty, I learned of computers and how e-mail worked, I was immediately aroused. I had to be in on this. It forever after became the joy of my life." Former Yankee Yogi Berra says, "You don't have to take any guff from anyone. If you don't want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." The book is a nice gift idea; however, it disappoints. Scott offers just a five-page introduction with very little personal information. The entire book is simply quotes from individuals. Other than Scott's name, there's not much substance here besides the ultimate message-old age can be rewarding.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
What's good about getting older? That's the question "Today Show" personality Willard Scott asked celebrities and a range of people from all walks of life. Scott introduces each piece, with four narrators tackling the voices of the respondents as they share anecdotes and inspirational thoughts. The passages from ordinary people come across better on tape. It's slightly odd to hear the words of, say, Fred Rogers or the former President Bush coming from a less familiar voice. The readers wisely avoid doing impressions and character voices, concentrating instead on capturing emotion and personality. Scott goes for chuckles and smiles, rather than deep philosophy, and his audiobook hits the target. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Book Description
A humorous and touching look at the joys of getting older,introduced by one of the Today show's beloved weathermen. Willard Scott is famous for celebrating the wit and wisdom of age. In The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune, he asks a wide range of people, "What's the greatest thing about getting older?" From expressions of delight in senior citizen discounts to sage advice on life's challenges, the answers are always surprising, often moving, and sometimes very funny. The book's contributors include: -Ed Asner - Dr. Joyce Brothers - Helen Gurley Brown - Art Buchwald - George Bush, Sr. - Bill Cosby - Tony Curtis - Jimmy Dean - Phyllis Diller - Mamie Van Doren - Hugh Downs - Dominick Dunne - Betty Friedan - Peter Graves - Monty Hall - Don Hewitt - Bob Hope - Sybil Jason - Bil Keane - Kenny Kingston - Ed Koch - C. Evertt Koop - Jack :aLanne - Norman Lear - Dick Locher - Eugene McCarthy - Jayne Medows - Anne Meara - Robert Novak - Martin Perl - Jane Powell - Ned Rorem - Vidal Sassoon - Pete Seeger - William F. Sharpe - Liz Smith - Jerry Stiller - Dick Thornburgh - Stanfield Turner - Leaon uris - Jack Valenti - Mort Walker - Andy Williams Also included are pieces from regular folk, such as the former mayor of a small town in Pennsylvania and a retired English teacher from Texas. "If you don't really want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." --Yogi Berra "For me one of the joys of beding over 65 is that people have stopped trying to sell me life insurance." --John Updike "You admit that money may be the root of all evil but there is one great soothing recommendation -- it keeps your children in touch with you." --Art Linkletter "Getting older means having shorter breath, but being long-winded." --Maya Angelou Whether you're turning 40, 60, or 85 -- there is something unique to discover about getting older.
About the Author
Willard Scott, the Today show's weatherman since 1980, is also the host of Willard Scott's Home and Garden Almanac on Home and Garden Television. He has distinguished himself with his public service efforts and was recognized by President Ronald Reagan with the Private Sector Award for Public Service in 1985. Born March 7, 1934, in Alexandria, Virginia, he is married to the former Mary Dwyer. They are parents of two daughters, Mary and Sally, and proud grandparents of John and Sally Marie. He lives in the Washington, D.C., area.
The Older the Fiddle the Better the Tune: The Joys of Reaching a Certain Age FROM THE PUBLISHER
A humorous and touching look at the joys of getting older,introduced by one of the Today show's beloved weathermen.
Willard Scott is famous for celebrating the wit and wisdom of age. In The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune, he asks a wide range of people, "What's the greatest thing about getting older?" From expressions of delight in senior citizen discounts to sage advice on life's challenges, the answers are always surprising, often moving, and sometimes very funny.
The book's contributors include:
-Ed Asner - Dr. Joyce Brothers - Helen Gurley Brown - Art Buchwald - George Bush, Sr. - Bill Cosby - Tony Curtis - Jimmy Dean - Phyllis Diller - Mamie Van Doren - Hugh Downs - Dominick Dunne - Betty Friedan - Peter Graves - Monty Hall - Don Hewitt - Bob Hope - Sybil Jason - Bil Keane - Kenny Kingston - Ed Koch - C. Evertt Koop - Jack :aLanne - Norman Lear - Dick Locher - Eugene McCarthy - Jayne Medows - Anne Meara - Robert Novak - Martin Perl - Jane Powell - Ned Rorem - Vidal Sassoon - Pete Seeger - William F. Sharpe - Liz Smith - Jerry Stiller - Dick Thornburgh - Stanfield Turner - Leaon uris - Jack Valenti - Mort Walker - Andy Williams
Also included are pieces from regular folk, such as the former mayor of a small town in Pennsylvania and a retired English teacher from Texas.
"If you don't really want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." --Yogi Berra
"For me one of the joys of beding over 65 is that people have stopped trying to sell me life insurance." --John Updike
"You admit that money may be the root of all evil but there is one great soothingrecommendation -- it keeps your children in touch with you." --Art Linkletter
"Getting older means having shorter breath, but being long-winded." --Maya Angelou
Whether you're turning 40, 60, or 85 -- there is something unique to discover about getting older.
Willard Scott, the Today show's weatherman since 1980, is also the host of Willard Scott's Home and Garden Almanac on Home and Garden Television. He has distinguished himself with his public service efforts and was recognized by President Ronald Reagan with the Private Sector Award for Public Service in 1985. Born March 7, 1934, in Alexandria, Virginia, he is married to the former Mary Dwyer. They are parents of two daughters, Mary and Sally, and proud grandparents of John and Sally Marie. He lives in the Washington, D.C., area.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Scott, the Today show weatherman for more than 20 years, sees himself as an active 79-year-old. While he looks back fondly on his earlier jobs, e.g., as the first Ronald McDonald, he says that, with more time to spend with his family, he's quite happy at the moment. Scott declares that the happiest times of people's lives are their childhood and their "old age." To prove this thesis, he sought comments from a variety of individuals-famous and not-on their current lives. These comments provide surprisingly optimistic views among senior citizens. Most people say that they're happier by keeping busy-with volunteer work or jobs. Despite losing spouses or suffering serious illnesses, they feel more relaxed than when they worked because they needed their salary. One man says, "When at the tender age of eighty, I learned of computers and how e-mail worked, I was immediately aroused. I had to be in on this. It forever after became the joy of my life." Former Yankee Yogi Berra says, "You don't have to take any guff from anyone. If you don't want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." The book is a nice gift idea; however, it disappoints. Scott offers just a five-page introduction with very little personal information. The entire book is simply quotes from individuals. Other than Scott's name, there's not much substance here besides the ultimate message-old age can be rewarding. (May) Forecast: Scott's name along with national publicity, national advertising and Father's Day promotions will boost sales initially. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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