Review: The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity

This book is a bit of an oddity. The core premise is an interesting one ie we are living longer and that the old approach of a three stage life ie education/work/retirement if it ever worked at all will no longer do so. The authors suggest various adaptions featuring periods of renewal, building a portfolio career etc.

As I read it though, it becomes clear that the insights of the book really only apply to the well-educated professional who has the time, resources and mindset to examine and direct their life. Such a person likely has already spotted the these trends, elephants in the room etc. As someone somewhat in that position there was not much here that was new. I did find the sections on building intangible assets a useful nudge - not least because it gives me a name to put to a process I began last year ie finding more social activities and doing more community work.  In other areas, like modifying corporations to take into account the coming changes, it's very thin.

Another mildly annoying element is the assumption of good health and fitness. Super agers are rare and while everyone can do more to reduce lifestyle factors, genetics and luck plays a significant part.

Lastly, if I'm being brutal - the prose is a little dull and even feels repetitious. The fictional case studies liven it up a bit and I mentally settled down for a good story with some flashes of colour. But said case studies turn out to be largely functional after their initial introduction.

Verdict: A little disappointing but there was the occasional nugget which kept me reading in the hope of uncovering more.