Late to the Ball, Gerald Marzorati
Late to the Ball, Gerald Marzorati
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Late to the Ball
Age. Learn. Fight. Love. Play Tennis. Win.

Author: Gerald Marzorati

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Unabridged: 6 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/17/2016

Synopsis

Being a man or a woman in your early sixties is different than it was a generation or two ago, at least for the more fortunate of us. We aren't old . . . yet. But we sense it coming: Careers are winding down, kids are gone, parents are dying (friends, too), and our bodies are no longer youthful or even middle-aged. Learning to play tennis in your fifties is no small feat, but becoming a serious, competitive tennis player at the age of sixty is a whole other matter. It requires training the body to defy age, and to methodically build one's game—the strokework, footwork, strategy, and mental toughness.

Gerald Marzorati started playing the game seriously in his mid-fifties. He had the strong desire to lead an examined physical life, to push his body into the "encore" of middle age. In Late to the Ball Marzorati writes vividly about the difficulties, frustrations, and the triumphs of his becoming a seriously good tennis player. He takes on his quest with complete vigor and absolute determination to see it through, providing a rich, vicarious experience involving the science of aging, his existential battle with time, and the beautiful, mysterious game of tennis.

About Gerald Marzorati

Gerald Marzorati was the editor of the New York Times Magazine from 2003-2010. He previously worked as an editor at the Soho News, Harper's magazine, and the New Yorker. His writing has appeared in the New York Times and many other publications. He is the author of A Painter of Darkness-which won the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for a first book of nonfiction-and the editorial director of Times Live.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Anita

This is an interesting glimpse into what it is like to learn a sport in late middle age once the kids are on their own. I like tennis and have often wondered if it would simply set me up for injuries if I played regularly, but it is compelling how tennis keeps him in good shape (a fitness age of 26......more

Goodreads review by Pop

I enjoyed the book. It resonated with me as the author is roughly my age and facing similar life issues (lose of parents, empty nest, career wind down, aches and pains) and he uses tennis as an outlet. The difference is he was picking up tennis late in life in a big way with lessons, tennis camps, t......more

Goodreads review by David

The author, in his early 60s, says that he wants to push his body--before it starts pushing him. So he sets out to improve his tennis. If you're the author's age, it's a compelling subject. The author spends a little time reviewing the research on how much potential remains in the aging mind and bod......more

Goodreads review by Glenn

I liked the book. But you may not like it so much unless you are a tennis enthusiast. I was expecting a little less tennis and a little bit more on latest research findings on how you stay in mental shape through taking up new challenges and learning new skills. It is well-written and an enjoyable r......more

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