David von Drehle promised to write his young children a book, but he failed to deliver. Until now, he says, even if it is not the book they expected or asked for. Instead, he writes, it is the book they will need as they face a future filled with change and challenges. In the story of his neighbor Charlie White, von Drehle offers insights on how to not only survive but thrive the storms of life.

Charlie was 102 years old when von Drehle met him. Over the next seven years of friendship he listened to the story of Charlie’s life. Charlie was a boy when his father died in a tragic accident. He became the ‘man of the house,’ and worked to help out, and was still a stellar student. He attended a summer camp where teens were sexually abused. He taught himself an instrument to earn money by playing in a band. Charlie and his college friends drove from Kansas City to California, and he hopped freight cars to get home. He had just started his medical career and was newly married when WWII broke out and he went into the service. He lost his first wife to suicide, and his second to divorce. His third wife died.

The author saw life lessons in how Charlie thrived in spite of losses. Stick in there. Do the right thing. Stay positive. “Keep your daubers up.” Be self-sufficient. Be patient. In essence, Charlie’s philosophy was Stoicism, the ancient Roman belief that we can only control our own responses to what the world slings at us. Charlie did not let set backs overwhelm him. He let go of what he could not control and persisted to accomplish what he could.

The lessons of Charlie’s life offer a blueprint for living. This slender volume is inspirational.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.