Book & podcast collection

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man

byDavid Von Drehle

David Von Drehle tells the life of his neighbor Charlie White, who lived to 109 and experienced more than a century of American change. Childhood tragedy, medicine, work, family, war, technology, and loss become sources of practical wisdom rather than a formula for longevity. Von Drehle connects Charlie's resilience with historical transformations he witnessed, showing how character develops through adaptation and attention to others. The book is both biography and meditation on aging, arguing that a long life gains meaning not from avoiding hardship but from continuing to choose curiosity, usefulness, and connection.

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

Publication date

2023

Format

Print edition

Pages

—

ISBN

9781476773926