From Publishers Weekly
Scott, the Today show weatherman for more than 20 years, sees himself as an active 79-year-old. While he looks back fondly on his earlier jobs, e.g., as the first Ronald McDonald, he says that, with more time to spend with his family, he's quite happy at the moment. Scott declares that the happiest times of people's lives are their childhood and their "old age." To prove this thesis, he sought comments from a variety of individuals-famous and not-on their current lives. These comments provide surprisingly optimistic views among senior citizens. Most people say that they're happier by keeping busy-with volunteer work or jobs. Despite losing spouses or suffering serious illnesses, they feel more relaxed than when they worked because they needed their salary. One man says, "When at the tender age of eighty, I learned of computers and how e-mail worked, I was immediately aroused. I had to be in on this. It forever after became the joy of my life." Former Yankee Yogi Berra says, "You don't have to take any guff from anyone. If you don't want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." The book is a nice gift idea; however, it disappoints. Scott offers just a five-page introduction with very little personal information. The entire book is simply quotes from individuals. Other than Scott's name, there's not much substance here besides the ultimate message-old age can be rewarding.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
What's good about getting older? That's the question "Today Show" personality Willard Scott asked celebrities and a range of people from all walks of life. Scott introduces each piece, with four narrators tackling the voices of the respondents as they share anecdotes and inspirational thoughts. The passages from ordinary people come across better on tape. It's slightly odd to hear the words of, say, Fred Rogers or the former President Bush coming from a less familiar voice. The readers wisely avoid doing impressions and character voices, concentrating instead on capturing emotion and personality. Scott goes for chuckles and smiles, rather than deep philosophy, and his audiobook hits the target. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A humorous and touching look at the joys of getting older, introduced by one of the Today show's beloved weathermen, now available in paperback.

Millions of people watch the exuberant Willard Scott each week on the Today show, where he acts as weatherman and wishes a "Happy Birthday!" to centenarians all across the country. In his book The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune, Willard asks a wide range of people of various ages, "What are some of the greatest things about getting older?" From the delight of having grandchildren to the joys of senior citizen discounts to sage advice on life's challenges, the answers are always surprising, often moving, and sometimes very funny.