As the authors state "there probably are still more books about very old cars, houses, paintings and even dishes than about very old people." To redress this oversight they interviewed and photographed 100 centenarians currently living in North America, although many were born overseas. The brief essays are well written, convey the essence of the interviewee's life, and contain many quotations from them. The portrait photography is excellent. The humor, mental agility, independence, opinions, and talents of these elders is surprising considering that most suffer from various infirmities of old age. A celebration of life and endurance. Recommended.
- Sondra Brunhumer, Western Michigan Univ. Libs., Kalamazoo