THE VIRTUES OF AGING.

• Author: Fallows, James A.
• Position: Review

THE VIRTUES OF AGING by Jimmy Carter Ballantine, $18.95

An embarrassing presidential defeat was followed by financial reverses back in Plains. Jimmy Carter had no fixed plan for his coming years. Gradually a satisfying way of life evolved. This book tells of the spirit and philosophy that has brought Jimmy Carter to say "Now ... is the best time of all." He describes the title word, Virtue, as "The blessings that come to us as we grow older and what we have to offer that might be beneficial to others."

I have followed Jimmy Carter's career since my son worked as his chief speechwriter. I am also the same age as Carter, and as a physician I have been a part of patients' lives as they aged. "When are we old?" asks Carter. "[W]e are when we accept an attitude of dormancy, dependence on others, substantial limitation of physical and mental activity, and restrictions on the number of people with whom we interact." He encourages the stimulation and satisfaction of adult studies, Elder hostels, talking books, family history, a cleanout or change of house, a get-away-from-it-all adventure, and the Internet. His sound advice to preserve health includes proper diet, moderate exercise, and a listing of sensible health habits. In my medical practice as I followed patients for thirty to thirty-five years, body, mind, and spirit--all affected a person's retirement years.

Those who exercised within their limits were more alert and exuberant. In the same way that I phased from football and wrestling in college to tennis and horseback riding in the middle years to my present bicycling, most people can adjust their exertions to the physical changes of passing years. Aside from the health benefits of fitness, the increase of zest and alertness from exercise makes it worthwhile.

I have noticed that those who pursued absorbing goals kept a younger attitude, a more cheerful approach, and an eagerness for each day. Each of us has special talents or past...