Do Not Go Gentle — Katie Ashley

At age 50, Dr. Richard Kownacki was out of shape and unhappy, fearing the best years of his life were over. He believed advanced age meant living a sedentary life, plagued by depression, disease, disability, and the prejudices of a society driven by youth. But after the chance discovery of a 67-year-old bodybuilder, Dr. Kownacki began to wonder if it was possible to age well after all, and that maybe life after 50 wasn't downhill. So began a journey of discovery that would propel him into a stage of life more fulfilling than he ever dreamed possible. What Dr. Kownacki discovered on his quest for the secret to successful aging forms the core of this clever and inspirational new book. He changed his attitude about aging, adopted a healthy diet, and reacquainted himself with vigorous exercise. As a result, at the age of 56 he looked and felt decades younger. By drawing on his own transformational experience, he offers readers a role model for healthy aging. Yet he never glosses over the difficulties inherent in his plan: his methods are simple, but they require serious commitment to combat decades of poor lifestyle choices. As living proof that we're never too old to be healthy, Dr. Kownacki challenges baby boomers, who once defined what it meant to be young in America, to now define what it means to age well. Unlike most books about aging, which tend to be either esoteric and overly academic or dangerously unscientific, Do Not Go Gentle skillfully balances history, scientific truth, and psychological insight with an ample dose of humor. And in addition to benefiting Dr. Kownacki's readers, 50 percent of profits from the book's sale will be donated to programs like Meals on Wheels and other charitable causes for needy elders. Whether attempting to reverse physical deterioration or simply trying to stave off the psychological effects of time, readers of every age will be delighted to find that they are never too old to live a full and meaningful life.