Golden Years

“Essential…Chappel expertly examines the changes that might allow a reimagining of old age in the shadow of ‘the gray, hot century to come.’”

“Writing in clear, accessible prose, [Chappel] surveys a century’s worth of evolving understandings and experiences of old age in America…What is revelatory is his account of Black activism on these issues and various efforts over the decades to push the system toward greater fairness.”

“A pellucid, unsparing account of the ends of life…Golden Years is most compelling when it walks right up to the line between scholarly distance and social justice and offers, if not solutions, then goals: much higher pay for home health aides; safe, regulated nonprofit nursing facilities; decent senior housing; better pensions all around.”

“Compelling [and] informative…Chappel offers a thought-provoking glimpse of how America has tried to imagine the needs and value of an aging population in the past, and how it might best understand and deal with a graying populace.”

“Are you now, or will you someday be, retirement age? Then treat yourself to Golden Years. Learned and lively, it’s a fascinating story filled with surprises about the varied ways Americans have experienced—and altered—the meaning of aging over the last century.”

“As America ages, the numbers of us who need attentive care will only grow. Overstretched family members and severely undervalued care workers shoulder this immense responsibility with little to no public support. In Golden Years, James Chappel expertly uncovers the historical roots of this crisis of care while also offering a powerful vision for aging that is more secure and dignified for all.”

“Today, there are more Americans aged sixty and older than under age eighteen. What kind of future do they face? Chappel’s balanced discussion of the advances we've made and the ones we failed to make is a must-read for any age.”

“Aging in America is often depicted as a looming disaster, with terms like ‘silver tsunami’ and dire warnings from officials that we must work longer and harder to balance budgets. Golden Years challenges us to look at history and see that aging doesn’t have to be this way. Aging is a collective and social experience, and our aging needs require social solutions: not-for-profit, safe, and regulated nursing homes; well-paid home health aides; and decent pensions and housing. These goals are within our nation’s reach.”

“Who deserves to retire, and under what conditions? What should this retirement require of others? Going beyond cliches about Social Security as the ‘third rail of American politics,’ Florida, and nursing homes, Golden Years illuminates how the struggle to define old age has proven central to the meaning of citizenship and inclusion in America, touching every aspect of our common life.”