1,003 Great Things About Getting Older

by Lisa Birnbach, Ann Hodgman, Patricia Marx

The ""chances grow smaller every year that you will die in childbirth"" is only one of many amusing reasons why people should look on the bright side of getting older in this amusing book about aging and the later years in one's life. Original. 60,000 first printing."

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Stephen White · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has four insane authors. One or more of whom are clearly sociopaths. There are so many listings in this book about dead enemies, sexual harassment, and possibly rape that I can clearly decide which of the four wrote which entry. I do know that each author does have a distinct voice.

Here are some samples to warn the interested:

"adult diapers are actually kind of convenient"

"If it's raining, no one expects you to vote"

"More and more people you hate are dead"

"Things that aren't so great about being young: Firm firm breasts-how are you supposed to sleep?"

"You know more than enough Hebrew".

I really can't say any better than that. The author's speak for themselves. I can not recommend this book to anyone who isn't a rapist, a sociopath, or some really bored person high on prescription narcotics, as they are the only people I believe will find this book enjoyable.

[Emily B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In honor of my 21st birthday, I thought I’d read a book about getting older. Even though I’m too young to be in the target audience, I still laughed at a few lines. Some of them reminded me of my grandma’s sense of humor, such as “All your enemies are dead” or “The alternative is worse”. Other lines were surprisingly relevant to me, such as the observation that when you’re 20, “All moral issues are conveniently black and white”. I’ll keep this book around for future years, since more of these jokes will resonate as I get older.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book in 1997 and checked off things that applied. Rereading it in 2016 I found a few more things that applied. Life is now too short to: read Proust. Now that you are retired you can never be fired. And me: You know enough about the Bloomsbury set to last you the rest of your life. This book amused me greatly. Makes growing old funny instead of tragic.

[SOS · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would say that there's very little in this book that is great. It's insulting and condescending to "older people." I didn't finish reading this book as the things it suggests that older people do, are allowed to do, or can't do just made me angry. I know a lot of older people, quite a few in their nineties, who don't nap all day, who still go out and do interesting things, who don't eat dinner at 4:30 in the afternoon. I doubt that even one hundred years ago that many of the things this book implies about older people would be relevant.

Some examples:

Going to bed is simpler now that you can fall asleep in your chair

When you talk, people call it oral history

You are expected to undertip

Hospitals and Fabulous Resort Offer Many of the Same Great Amenities (Capitalization from the book)

You have time to watch all the games on TV

Don't waste you time on this book. Go find a better one to read, or go do something useful. This book is flat out absurd.

I received this book as a birthday gift from a friend who, I'm pretty sure, didn't bother to read it before gifting.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I loved this. And the best thing about it was, most books that try to be funny on this topic say things like, "It's great getting older because you are constipated and have all that time to sit on the toilet and read!" in other words, those books suck.
This book actually had things that WERE great about getting older. It talks about getting older at every age.
An example, "Now you are too old to change planes in Chicago!" Laughed out loud at that one.
It is uplifting as well as humourous.
I read this aloud to my Mom and Step-Dad and they loved it too. This was shortly before my Step-Dad died and it is one of the last happy memories I have of him, that he enjoyed and laughed about this book.
Wish it was in print so I could give it as a gift!
Read this in 2006.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on my shelves, and it seemed like the perfect book to read at this point in my life.
People, myself included, seem to see getting older as a bad thing. And it can be, but there ARE some great things about getting older. I needed to be reminded of this.
"The joys of nostalgia".
"Buy all the candy you want".
"Every new wrinkle improves your chances of beating that speeding ticket".
"Who needs an alarm clock?".
"You don't have to wait up listening for your children to come in at night".
"No more baby-sitters to drive home".
"You have a profound new respect for your knees".

These are but a few examples of what's in store for you if you read all 1,003 suggestions this book offers you.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny and true, all older people should read it

[Briar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, random book full of amusing tidbits to think of.

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining snippets make one laugh while speaking the truth about aging.

[Mary Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, what fun to read while laughing out loud. Cute little book to gift or share.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and clever!