By George E. Vaillant. 373 pp., illustrated. Boston, Little, Brown, 2002. $24.95. ISBN 0-316-98936-3.
An unavoidable task of the living is to change with time. Changeis psychologically painful. Combined with the physical realityof stiff joints, facial wrinkles, and frustrating forgetfulness,aging is neither relished nor revered by our society. We empowerourselves with antioxidant vitamins, wrinkle-reduction surgery,and hair dye to prevent, reverse, disrupt, delay, or disguisethe aging process. We prove our value by maintaining a ridiculouslyfast pace with an effervescent smile. We define our self-worthaccording to the many external modifiers that proclaim our youth.We are caught up in a fantasy that belies reality — everyday, our . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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