In 2007, longtime Washington Post columnist David Von Drehle and his wife, tired of the "hassles of urban parenting," uprooted their children and moved from Washington, D.C., to the suburbs of Kansas City, Mo. There, where "the skies are bigger than the egos," they settled into a new life. One day, Von Drehle spied a neighbor across the street washing a car in the August heat. That man was 102-year-old Charlie White, self-made, "hale and sturdy and razor-sharp," who would become a very good friend of Von Drehle--and an influence so profound that he inspired The Book of Charlie, a splendidly woven, inspirational memoir that explores the meaning of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
Over the course of seven years, Von Drehle became fascinated by Charlie and his history. He was born when William Howard Taft was president, and he experienced life before the existence of highways, radio, movies, even penicillin. Whip-smart, independent, and crafty Charlie grew up with four siblings in a family that accommodated his father, a Christian pastor--who died at the age of 42 in a freak accident when Charlie was eight. The tragedy forged an indomitable, stoic resourcefulness in Charlie, inspiring him to set off on adventures that included traveling across the country in a Model T and by hopping trains; playing saxophone in Jazz Age bands; putting himself through college; and serving in World War II. Along the way, there was a deeply rewarding career as a doctor, as well as marriages, children, and familial challenges. Through it all, Charlie endured and thrived. He chose not to dwell on unhappiness. He simply "didn't have time to be sad." He understood and accepted that "every life is a mixture of comedy and tragedy, joy and sorrow, daring and fear," and barreled on.
Charlie made an art out of living; in much the same way, Von Drehle--with eloquence, care, respect, and admiration--makes art out of Charlie's life story. As demonstrated in his other books (Rise to Greatness; Triangle: The Fire that Changed America), Von Drehle's appreciation for history shines throughout the narrative. This deeply engaging personal portrait of a remarkable centenarian also offers an absorbing account of the inventiveness of U.S. citizens--and the U.S., as it continually strives to evolve and improve. -- Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines
Shelf Talker: The fascinating story of a remarkable centenarian who lived through decades of U.S. history and forged a life that will greatly inspire others.