Independence Day

What I Learned About Retirement from Some Who’ve Done It and Some Who Never Will

By: Steve Lopez

Narrated by: Steve Lopez

"Steve Lopez is insightful, ingenious, and often hilarious as he navigates one of life's biggest questions."—Michael Connelly, New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Hours.

Four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and longtime Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez explores the meaning of work and how it defines us in this captivating book that combines memoir, investigatory interviews, and practical application.

Grappling with his own decision of whether to retire, Lopez uses his reporter skills not only to look inward but also to interview experts and peers to collect a variety of perspectives as he examines the true nature of a person's time, identity, and ultimate life satisfaction.

In Independence Day, Lopez talks to those who have chosen to extend their working life to its (il)logical extreme—people like Mel Brooks, still working at 94—those who have happily retired and reinvented themselves outside of the constraints of work, and those who would like to retire but can't because of financial constraints. He also turns to professionals on the matter, like two aging scientists, a geriatric specialist, and a psychiatrist, to understand the research-based reasons to retire.

With his trademark poignancy, wisdom, and humor, Lopez establishes a useful polemic for himself and others in planning ahead, as he also evaluates questions of identity, financial limitations, and ultimately what to do with your life when the obituary pages are no longer filled with strangers.

©2022 Thomas Nelson (P)2022 Harper Horizon

Another great story from Steve Lopez

Great story as he asks the same questions I have about retirement. And we can certainly relate to his plight about the double whammy of facing retirement and the empty nest syndrome. Highly recommended.

As someone thinking about retiring

This was so compelling and thoughtful. As in I am so full of thoughts now I’m compelled to think about it. Loved this book!

Exactly what I was looking for at 58

Steve Lopez gives a rare and candid insight into the questions of retirement. I love how he is able to make it personal and how we learn about his daughter Caroline and his wife Alison.
From the beginning of the book to the end it will make you laugh and make you think of your own family and situation and perhaps shed a tear or two ,
I think it’s interesting that someone with so much success still struggles with the same issues that many of us face. Steve bleeds in extraordinary life but yet you can tell his passion for the profession drives him, which intern gives us a great listen.
Great voice and intonation as well considering he’s a writer… Lol
The questions answered about aging.
Will we be bored when we retire will our marriage survive, will we die younger than we would’ve if we would’ve kept working, will we be broke, will we be happy, will we end up working in a discount store as a cashier at 70 years of age , because, the economy shifted. All of these questions are answered in a very thorough manner, I highly recommend it for yourself if you are at “that age”
… Great job Steve thank you for writing this book ! It has helped me understand how to make the decision for myself.

Valuable Considerations for the Next Phase

My retirement (sabbatical?) begins on January 1, so I had already made my decision to step away from my current work with the same company after 43 years. This book helped me consider all aspects and gave me validation that I was taking the right steps for me. I also got additional advice to assure my success and happiness in this next phase.

Circuitous, but well written.

Steve likes to go off on tangents – usually entertaining ones, but not always related to retirement. He’s a good storyteller.

Beware: written by a mainstream media journalist

An L.A. Times journalist. That pretty much sums up the filter you'll get. Too much navel gazing, peppered with lefty political views from a lifelong mainstream media denizen. I wanted to like it, kept trying, but... Barf. Had to stop half way. I find books on these types of topics are usually more interesting when written by doers not writers.

Insights & Perspectives I hadn’t Imagined.

Great informal research and story of items I had not considered at 61, and beginning to think about retirement. Most valuable was discussion of identity during employment and after. Great news! There is a wonderful life ahead to the extent you take an active role driving it!

Love it!

I recently retired and hearing about Steve's journey was helpful in affirming my decision. I enjoyed Steve's quips and even laughed out loud at several of them. I highly recommend this book to those considering retirement as well as their family members.

Independence Day by Steve Lopez

This is outstanding book. I recommend it to all ages. Steve Lopez has an impeccable and fluid style easy to absorb yet complex. His experience with different social and ethnic classes, his wide range of interests and people he met gives him special perspective. He is compassionate, has sense of humor.We are all aging and changing. reading Independence day
Gives us instructions how to live at the moment irrespective of age.

Thoughtful processing

I’ve now listened to this book, for or five times. I’m a bit younger but going through the same steps of seeking to embrace what lies ahead. His path gives insight for consideration when making one’s own journey.