The Ninth Decade is a path-breaking and timely book on aging: the first to focus explicitly and at length on eighty-somethings, the fastest-growing demographic in the industrialized world. Covering eight years in lively six-month installments, Klaus tells a vivid story not only of his own ninth decade and survival routines, but also of his loving companion, Jackie, who is strikingly different from him in her physical well-being, practical outlook, sociable temperament, and vigorous workouts. Cameos of their octogenarian friends and relatives near and far add to a wide-ranging and revelatory portrayal of advanced aging, as do bios of notable octogenarians.
The multi-year scope of his chronicle reveals the numerous physical and mental problems that arise during octogenarian life and how eighty-year-olds have dealt with those challenges. The Ninth Decade is a unique, first-hand source of information for anyone in their sixties, seventies, or eighties, as well as for persons devoted to care of the aged. Though the challenges of octogenarian life often require specialized care, The Ninth Decade also shows the pleasures of it to be so special as to have inspired Lillian Hellman鈥檚 paradoxical description of 鈥渓onger life鈥 as 鈥渢he happy problem of our time.鈥
鈥淐arl Klaus, to whom all American essayists should be indebted for his ruminations on the form, has blessed us with a scouting report of what lies ahead for those lucky enough to make it to our eighties鈥攊n prose that is intimate, warm, impeccably honest, flavorful, and attentive to the minute surprises of daily life.鈥濃擯hillip Lopate, editor, The Glorious American Essay: One Hundred Essays from Colonial Times to the Present
鈥淎n intimate yet hands-on lesson on how to face the inevitable infirmities and losses of our eighties with grace, resilience, and composure. In place of the usual stoical bromides, these contemplative journals offer a different, more constructive message: the key to a satisfying old age may be simply a matter of learning to maintain the enthusiasms that have long sustained us. The Ninth Decade is a major contribution to the growing literature of aging.鈥濃擱obert Atwan, editor, The Best American Essays
鈥淎s one by one, beloved friends and family members meet their demise, Carl Klaus perseveres, as he must, his acute mind making as much sense as can be made of each challenge and loss while savoring life鈥檚 remaining pleasures. With this honest account, he ensures that our own journey through old age will be a little less daunting and a little more conscious, principled, and fulfilling.鈥濃擩ulene Bair, author, The Ogallala Road: A Story of Love, Family, and the Fight to Keep the Great Plains from Running Dry
鈥淎n eminent scholar of the essay, Carl Klaus is also a fine practitioner of this versatile art form, as he demonstrates once more in these reflections on old age. Facing bodily ailments, quirks of memory, and funerals of friends, he writes with verve and wisdom about life鈥檚 final phase.鈥濃擲cott Russell Sanders, author, The Way of Imagination
鈥泪苍&苍产蝉辫;The Ninth Decade, Carl Klaus gives the reader an insightful look into what it means to age in place and deal with the challenges of life in one鈥檚 eighties鈥攆rom medical issues, to housing, to relationships, to finances, to planning for major transitions. With courage, wisdom, and a huge dose of realism, Klaus shows us what it means to be an active, involved, elder. A comforting read from a master of creative nonfiction.鈥濃擬ary Swander, author, The Maverick M.D.
