The Big 100, William J. Kole
The Big 100, William J. Kole
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The Big 100

Author: William J. Kole

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Unabridged: 8 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/03/2023


Synopsis

By 2050, the world’s centenarian population—those aged 100 or more—will increase eightfold. Half of today’s 5-year-olds can expect to reach the same heights. It’s going to upend everything we thought we knew about health care, personal finance, retirement, politics, and more. Whether we’re 18 or 81, this tectonic demographic shift will affect us all. The Big 100 confronts listeners with both the brightness and potential bleakness of a fate few of us thought possible. Journalist William Kole guides us on this journey into our future, an optimistic but sometimes fraught exploration of super-aging as the grandson of a centenarian. Along the way, there are expert sources, like Dr. Jane Goodall, longevity expert Dr. Thomas Perls, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and even 101-year-old influencer and fashionista Iris Apfel, along with surprises. And there’s the troubling truth that those reaching extreme longevity tend to be overwhelmingly white, a product of what experts deem the “weathering theory”: the idea that the health of African Americans begins to deteriorate in early adulthood as a physical consequence of socio-economic disadvantages. How long can we live? How long should we live? And what happens when 65 is merely a life half-lived? The Big 100 explores the most pressing questions of our super-aging future and offers a glimpse of a reality that awaits us, our children, and our grandchildren.

About William J. Kole

William J. Kole is a veteran journalist and former foreign correspondent and AP news editor. The grandson of a woman who lived a few months shy of 104, he has been writing about extreme longevity since the 1990s, when he told the world the extraordinary story of Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain.

About Patrick Lawlor

Patrick Lawlor is an accomplished audiobook narrator, stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. The recipient of an Earphones Award, he has also been a finalist for an Audie Award.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Yamini on October 03, 2023

"Our relationships with ageing if expressed as a relationship status - is complicated" 🤣 Focused on the centenarian age group (above 100), this book was like an explosion of insights into the current state of affairs. Addressed from multiple perspectives, it was an exemplary work of research and the......more

Goodreads review by Read Walk Repeat on September 26, 2023

An intriguing peak into our near future society where a life expectancy of 100 years may soon become the norm while supercentenarians push the boundaries of just how long a human can live. This thoroughly researched and easily consumable book presents topics from a wide variety of areas including, s......more

Goodreads review by Susie on January 11, 2024

Audiobook- I needed inspiration to get back on my heath regime. Listening to this book helped! Although I’m a nurse and already knew some of the information, I was still able to learn about super aging and what may help to live my best life. I recommend this book to everyone over 40. It may inspire......more

Goodreads review by Stacy on October 22, 2023

The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging reflects on the increase in people living longer and how long lives might become in the coming years. By 2050, the number of centenarians is expected to octuple from current numbers. Kole gives examples of current centenarians and looks at some of the previo......more

Goodreads review by Timothy on February 19, 2024

This was both terrifying and exciting to read. If there's one inevitability I'm taking away from this book; I don't want to live to 100. In fact, 80 feels like the right time to check out and hopefully, I will make that goal with my mind intact and my body's betrayals minimal. There are no definite f......more