The Second Half of Your Life

by Jill Shaw Ruddock

The Second Half of Your Life is a groundbreaking book which offers advice and answers to women in the second half of their life. Using the hormonal changes that occur around menopause as a springboard to transition from a woman’s reproductive years to her self-productive years, Shaw Ruddock gives positive, life-affirming guidance on how to make the second half of life, the best half. Drawing on extensive experience, research and interviews, Jill Shaw Ruddock explores what can hold women back at this important stage in their lives, and how to harness the new-found focus this stage in life brings i.e. the rest of your life. This revised and updated edition (including The Science of Hormones and the new chapter, Looking Your Best without Plastic Surgery) will inspire women to rethink what it means to grow older. The book has been heralded as ‘one of the most important women’s books for a decade’, ‘ground-breaking’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘the manual for women in the second half of their life’.

Providing practical hands-on advice on how to harness the power of the oestrogen-free mind to make the most of new opportunities, Ruddock covers everything from money to the mind, dating to divorce, exercise to eating, and the libido to looking your best. The Second Half of Your Life is an inspiring, motivating read that gives women a framework to create a game plan to help overcome many of the obstacles faced in the second half of life.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2011

Reviews

[Vanessa Jossel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great go to reference book which I heartily recommend to every person in the second half of their life. It covers every relevant topic such as menopause, physical and mental health, exercise, financial issues and how to deal with most eventualities in an informative, helpful and cogent fashion. I know I’ll be referring to it often in years to come. Excellent read.

[Françoise Winton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that every woman should read as part of their education!!!

[Linda Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of referring to "The Second Half of your life" vs using the term retirement, or retired.

This book covers many of the same topics I've read in other books, yet Jill did a good job of pulling all the different topics together in one piece. For any woman (or interested man) who has not read much about menopause it is a good resource. As an American, I enjoyed reading the perspectives from "the other side of the pond" and found most of the issues remain the same.

Because so many women at this stage of life are actually part of the baby boomers, I appreciated her reference to us as the "golden generation." Pointing out that as a generation, we've been defining things all our lives. No wonder that we will redefine what old means.

[Jennifer Hazlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book on menopause, very thorough. I enjoyed how Jill went in depth into the life changes and deep reflection women go thru at this stage in their lives and the wisdom and sage advice she shares. It helped me to embrace & work through it & look to grow rather than ignore & move on status quo.

[Wulan Suci Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought by reading this book, I could get unique point of view from more senior and experience women. Turn out it was just common sense information/tips for female that can be applied in any life stages.
Nonetheless, summarizing my key take out points here for any female in the world:
1. Have life purpose - what ever your role/age is, have a purpose! Sense of purpose will help you to overcome any obstacle in life
2. Keep learning and keep moving on - age doesn’t define us. Some people achieve success early, some achieve later in life. It doesn’t matter, just keep learning and do something
3. Exercise regularly - your future self will thank you now
4. Eat healthy - (can anyone reinvent Indonesian food to be less carb, no coconut milk, less fat yet still same tasty please?)
5. Embrace your true self - recommend not to do face surgery or injection (no offense to anyone who did)
6. Spend your money wisely - saving for your rainy day, invest invest invest, and spend under your means

[Cherine Helmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘It is how you decide to live the rest of your life that will make a difference to how you grow older”
Jill Shaw Ruddock combines common sense, positivity and practical solutions to guide you through the potential pitfalls that face women approaching that second chapter.. Menopause, empty nests, sex, midlife crisis , divorce and loss she tackles it all with wisdom and humour. Essential reading for anyone approaching 50 and over !!

[hazel collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book.... and it won’t do men any harm either. Jill says it how it is, offering sage advice, with a view point that radiates positivity shining a light on life after the menopause and how to live and enjoy it to the full.

[Stephen Winningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I’m so glad it was written. It is personal, informative and analytical. Directly addressing the lives of women, it has broader, holistic applicability to us all. It’s about all our lives and I was privileged to read it.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book so informative. definitely will get for my daughters and her friends who are approaching the second half of their lives.

[Nava Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well informed excellent research

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, positive look at post 50. It is full of practical ideas, and inspires the reader with relatable tales of other women. Above all, the subjects you don’t want to discuss with anyone, not even best friends, are all there.
I recommend this to all women facing the darkness of ageing, so uplifting.

[Carol Sopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read which offers answers and great advice to women in the second half of their life.
Jill gives practical, positive guidance on how to deal with menopause and how best to harness your skills in order to live a productive and happy life.
Highly Recommend!