What's Worth Knowing

by Wendy Lustbader

Book Overview

Colorful and enlightening vignettes about life by everyday people in their seventies, eighties, and nineties.

When social worker Wendy Lustbader was asked to take down the histories of residents in a retirement community, she discovered that "the man with Alzheimer's in room 410" was actually ninety-six-year-old Ole Harlen, a former concert pianist. "The woman who people-watches in the lobby" was really Lila Lane, who eloped to Tijuana with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585423726
• ISBN13: 9781585423729
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

If you don't like it now, you will once you are older

I think those who gave this book a poor review did not give it a deep enough reading to see depth in this book. What's worth knowing addresses mundane topics, but that is the point. Some people go through life looking for what isn't there, missing out on what is. Those same people finding something missing in the book. This book won't tell you the cosmic answers for how to live your life. It will show you that there aren't any cosmic answers, just simple ones, and different ones for different folks. And the book shows that elders are just folks, regular folk in older bodies. This book is a valiant effort to combat ageism.

A beautiful and instructive book- simple, not trite.

I could not disagree more with the reviewer who gave this book a single star. I consider myself a deep thinker, and very well read on these matters as well. I found a depth here, as well as a simplicity-- and it was very true to life. I was touched by the author's intention as well as her presentation. This is a book I definitely plan to keep in my personal library-- I can't imagine why anyone would ever sell it! I feel grateful, and very enriched, for having read it. My deep appreciation goes to the author for her humanity and courage.

A Book Worth Owning

Too many times these days you find that youth has no respect for their elders. But as you can see reading this book, that these are the people with a wealth of knowledge and life experiences, both good and bad. The gems in this book are valuable knowledge to help guide your life, so that by the end, you can look back with smiles instead of regrets.

The Truth Is All Around Us

Wendy Lustbader has created a remarkable book. These collected reflections and stories reveal the profound wisdom of our elders. As I read the book I was struck by the simple truth of so many of its lessons. We can learn much from the people Wendy introduces us to in this book-- and we should.This book twinkles with the wisdom of the old and the wise. It is a powerful antidote to the ugly ageism that of our day. It made me stop and think about my own life and how I am living it. It reinforced my belief that the elderly are a gift to all of us, they are our best teachers.I can not think of any higher compliment I could pay to any book or its author.This book shines like a night sky full of stars.Dr. William H. Thomas

WORTH READING!!!

Wendy does it again. She brought out laughes, smiles, and tears. She brought gems to words. She brought the elderly out and in front for us to see and admire. We all can learn from her wisdom. We all can learn from the elderly given the chance, like Wendy shows us in the book. A must read for all. I look forward to more from this wonderfully talented author.