The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man by David Von Drehle is a biography of Charlie White, a man who lived through more than a century of American history. White was born in 1902, before radio, and lived long enough to use a smartphone. He witnessed firsthand the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Through it all, White remained resilient and optimistic. He was a man of great curiosity and adventure, and he lived a life full of rich and varied experiences. He was a jazz musician, a paramedic, a surgical technician, and even a guest of the president of Peru.
Von Drehle's book is a celebration of White's life and the lessons he learned along the way. It is also a meditation on the American experience and the resilience of the human spirit.
In the book, Von Drehle identifies several key principles that contributed to White's long and happy life:
- Resilience: White faced many challenges in his life, but he always found a way to persevere. He was able to bounce back from setbacks and learn from his mistakes.
- Optimism: White had a positive outlook on life, even during difficult times. He believed that things would eventually get better.
- Curiosity: White was always eager to learn new things and experience new things. He was never bored with life.
- Gratitude: White was grateful for the good things in his life, big and small. He appreciated his family, his friends, and his health.