Don?t even think about turning 50 without this book! A compilation of short articles, musings and reminiscences written by experts and celebrities from all walks of life on the subject of turning 50. Includes valuable information on important medical tests, estate planning, insurance strategies, as well as a healthy dose of poetry and humor. A partial list of contributors includes Garrison Keillor, humorist; Bobbi Brown, beauty expert; Wendy Wasserstein, playwright; Robert Thurman, Buddhist scholar; Diane von Furstenberg, clothing designer; Taressa Stovall, belly dancer; Kat Lane, astrologist; Gary Jobson, America's Cup winner; and Lorna Wendt, philanthropist. Everything you should know and a lot more that will make you laugh and think. A ?must read? for those turning 50, this book will help you make the most of a milestone year. All royalties will be donated to benefit cancer research. This is a fabulous 50th birthday gift, and a lot more useful than an ?Over the Hill? coffee mug and black balloons!

"Erica Jong, Marianne Williamson, Harold Kushner and many lesser-known contributors to this volume offer a heap of advice, urging readers not only to 'keep a sense of adventure,' (29) but to 'get smart about the IRS' (151) and to 'read the Torah.' (225). Each of the chapters is brief, ranging from practical financial advice (129-164) to less concrete tips on spirituality and mindset. Religious scholar Robert Thurman says, 'To understand the meaning of life, I think you have to confront and deal with the meaning of death'; (220) public radio personality Garrison Keillor urges readers to 'start telling the truth' and says that being 50 earns one the right to 'dare to express simple preference. (Do you want to go over to the Swansons for dinner? No, I don't.)' (15) The contributors here range from a playwright and a poet (17-20, 26-28) to a professional astrologer (197-203) and an estate planning attorney (140-144), giving this collection the benefit of diverse points of view on various aspects of aging. Not all of the suggestions will appeal to all readers (you simply may not have the funds to invest in real estate(155)), but those who want reassurance that 50 is the age at which you start reaping the benefits of your labors will find much to appreciate here. " Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)