Roctogenarians by Mo Rocca and Jonathan Greenberg
Mo Rocca and Jonathan Greenberg assert “80 is the new 60” in their second collaboration Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks and Triumphs.
Their first best-seller was Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Living. This non-fiction book, expanded to print from Mo’s popular podcast Mobituaries, provided remembrances of noteworthy people whose lives had not yet received appropriate and well-deserved acclaim. This time around these multi-talented co-authors provide an entertaining and inspiring collection of essays about the beauty of living life to its fullest no matter what the biological age of a person might be.
Youth most assuredly does not possess sole dominion over zest for life and the passionate pursuit of dreams. These wise and witty co-authors celebrate a multifarious assortment of people ranging from distant history to the present whose personal and/or professional triumphs and greatest accomplishments were fulfilled late in life. Far from accepting closed doors and diminished opportunities, this wide cross-section of later-in-life achievers disregarded conventional thinking to create their own paths.
Succinct, Informative Chapters
Times have changed. As the authors note, “men born in the United States in 1919 lived on average to fifty-three.” More people are reaching the age of 100 while continuing to live fully and thrive creatively. Dick Van Dyke sang “Put on a happy face” on Broadway in Bye, Bye, Birdie in 1960, and at 98 continues to sing and dance, recently being awarded his sixth Emmy award!
Each chapter is breezy, succinct, informative and divided by professions with the first titled “Fast Food Legends: Colonel Sanders and Clara Peller”. Founder of KFC, chicken king and media darling Sanders achieved his success and lasting worldwide recognition in his late 60’s — but far fewer recall the mid-1980’s 81-year old, 4’10” former beautician who barked “Where’s the beef” in deep, gravelly tones in classic Wendy’s commercials.
Chapter headings include: old money, old country (music), winemakers, performing artists, activists, old soldiers, late-in-life true love marriages, painters, architects and a satisfying sampling of other topics.
Something For Everyone
Roctogenerians ranges from well-known celebrities to more obscure but successful business owners and entrepreneurs who are certain to intrigue the reader. The authors have chosen not to overlook some ignominious reversals with individuals including Rudi Giuliani and Phil Spector who were formerly lauded before disastrously destroying their reputations.
The writers section highlights Laura Ingalls Wilder whose Little House series didn’t debut in print until she was in her 60s. Frank McCourt soared to fame with Angela’s Ashes after he had retired from teaching high school, and Peter Mark Roget didn’t complete his eponymous Thesaurus until he was past 70.
Rock star Brian May of the group Queen, considered by many one of the greatest rock guitarists, completed his thesis, “A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,” and earned his doctorate in astrophysics at the age of 60. Dr. May has since lectured and collaborated on projects with NASA while continuing to perform rock and roll in sold-out venues. The primer on lasting friendships, the highly entertaining chapter on “Founding Fathers of Comedy: Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, and Norman Lear” alone justifies acquiring this something-for-everyone book.
Celebrating All Late-in-Life Achievers
Creativity does not cease with lay-offs or retirement and a midlife career crisis may well give rise to a golden opportunity. A side hustle augmenting household income might take off in unexpected ways.
Mo Rocca and Jonathan Greenberg have researched and enlightened us about notable people. However, if you look around to explore your own community, you will certainly find many easily ignored ordinary older folk quietly living their best lives and contributing a tangible difference.
In this reviewer’s small hometown, we have numerous examples including a nonagenarian globe-trotting traveler and tour guide who has visited all seven continents and continues to lead several domestic groups annually as a satisfying second vocation post-retirement.
Our museum and cultural center was co-founded by a military veteran of over 30 years. One multi-lingual housewife and fitness instructor became an international flight attendant after raising her children. A psychology professor switched to fashioning stained glass and jewelry design post-retirement. Many others give back serving as leaders in community and cultural organizations. They may not be famous but our town would certainly suffer some impoverishment without their second career or avocational contributions.
Entertaining, Charming, Inspiring
Roctogenerians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks and Triumphs entertains readers with engaging profiles celebrating late-in-life achievers, past and present, with factual research, fine writing, charm and solid humor. Do not miss the afterword which pays tribute to Mo Rocca’s mother Maria Luisa Rocca, born in Colombia in 1928, without whom we would not have this talented man, and who gave her approval to his eloquent words of admiration.
Just as the final book by Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!!, became a surprising hit for high school and college graduations, Roctogenerians is an ideal gift for many occasions, including retirement, lay-offs, midlife crises, significant birthdays and holidays. Buy one for yourself to place on a nightstand to peruse when upbeat inspiration is required.
About the Authors:
Mo Rocca is a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, host of the hit Mobituaries podcast, and host of The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation. He’s also a frequent panelist on NPR’s hit weekly quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! and host and creator of Cooking Channel’s My Grandmother’s Ravioli. Rocca is coauthor of the New York Times bestselling Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving and author of All the Presidents’ Pets: The Story of One Reporter Who Refused to Roll Over.
Jonathan Greenberg is a professor of English at Montclair State University and the author of two books of literary criticism along with many articles and essays. He is also an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter who has written for children’s shows including Rugrats, Hey Arnold! and Arthur. He is the coauthor of Mobituaries.
