First published 2016
Entertainment icon Dick Van Dyke approaches aging with the same energy he brought to song and dance routines throughout his career. Now in his nineties, Van Dyke argues that growing older should mean growing more enthusiastic, not less. He draws from personal stories to illustrate his philosophy, including how he defied a doctor's prediction that he would need a walker after injuring himself during "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" filming. Van Dyke performed a soft shoe dance in response and never looked back. The book weaves together his own experiences with insights from his brother Jerry Van Dyke, "Dick Van Dyke Show" creator Carl Reiner, and other close friends and family members. Van Dyke describes finding love later in life with Arlene, recovering from a near death experience, and taking pleasure in simple activities like grocery shopping. His central message challenges conventional notions about age appropriate behavior. The book offers readers permission to dance to store music, sing when moved to do so, and pursue new ideas regardless of their age.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, health, 21st-century, personal-development, inspirational
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: inspirational, personal-growth
263 pages · Hardcover · Thorndike Press Large Print