Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

30 True Things You Need to Know Now

By: Gordon Livingston

Narrated by: James Jenner

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

From a psychiatrist who has spent the past 30 years listening to other people's most intimate secrets and troubles comes an eloquent, incisive, and deeply perceptive book about the things we all share, and which every one of us grapples with as we strive to make the most of the life we have left.

After service in Vietnam as a surgeon for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 1968-69, at the height of the war, Dr. Gordon Livingston returned to the U.S. and began work as a psychiatrist. In that capacity, he has listened to people talk about their lives, what works, what doesn't, and the limitless ways (most of them self-inflicted) that we have found to be unhappy. He is also a parent twice bereaved. In one 13-month period, he lost his eldest son to suicide, his youngest to leukemia.

Out of a lifetime of experience, Livingston has extracted 30 bedrock truths: We are what we do. Any relationship is under the control of the person who cares the least. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Only bad things happen quickly. Forgiveness is a form of letting go, but they are not the same thing. The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas. Livingston illuminates these and 24 others in a series of carefully hewn, perfectly calibrated essays, many of which emphasize our closest relationships and the things that we do to impede or, less frequently, enhance them. Again and again, these essays underscore that "we are what we do", and that while there may be no escaping who we are, we also have the capacity to face loss, misfortune, and regret and to move beyond them, that it is not too late.

©2004 Gordon Livingston (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Among the many blithe and hollow self-help books available everywhere, this book stands out as a jewel." (Publishers Weekly)

Spoke to me

The narration was wonderful and the story was excellent. I felt as if he was speaking directly to me about me. When I loaned this to a friend they felt the same way. Information is concise and very helpful.

Serious & Thought Provoking

I would have given this book 5 stars, had I read it in hardback. There were many parts I think I needed to listen to multiple times in order to get a full appreciation for what was being said.

The author offers very sound, serious advice that really made me think. Every lesson brought to mind someone I knew, and I couldn't wait to tell people the advice I'd learned from Dr. Livingston.

Recommended for those who are looking to learn how to view their lives more positively.

Not recommended for those looking solely to be entertained.

life changing discussion. A++++

read/performed by a pro.

will read again and share with people I love.

what good. advice

Too Not Subtle

For the most part the book gives good knowledge if you are abole to listen past the rhetoric. The chapter titles are intriquing, to say the least, but the chapter content leaves the reader (listener) lacking. There are parts where he is eloquent and informative to the non-medical listener and other parts that belong in a Journal of Psychiatric Medicine.

Although the author is a psychiatrist, it is obvious that he has a particular bias which repeatedly apprears throughout the book. This detracts greatly from the listener's enjoyment and ability to take in the important information. For example, it is obvious that he has not properly or fully researched Adult ADD and discounts its viability in society allowing his preconceived notions to show through. Unfortunately, he repeats this type of error throughout the book.

All in all though, it is a good value for the price, especially if you are prepared to listen to it more than once or even twice to get the entire depth of his original intent.

Fourth time I’ve read/heard this book.

Every time I’ve read it or heard it I’ve learned something new or had the ideas reinforced. I’ve have re-read this over a 20 year period and would highly recommend it.

Gordon was a very wise man

And with that wisdom a experience he tells a very very good and story. I could not put this down and it brought a few tears to the eyes of this old salt who hadn't shed and for decades. As the proverb says "With all your getting, get wisdom". Big dose shared in this book.

I will listen again and again.

I listen to this book 2 times and I will definitely listen to it several more a lot of great reminders on how to live life.

Worth reading twice

It’s presented like stories from your grandparents, if they were as educated, wise, well read with a lifetime of experiences they learned from. And had the desire to share.

a valuable perspective on our confused species

i enjoyed listening to someone who could take such an experienced, compassionate yet very practical view on our thought processes and traps that are so common and block happiness..to know these things is to at least know they exist, or even better to let go of our own fabricated dysfunction...and just live

Well worth the listen

This is a great book. I listened to it in its entirety twice, and found every minute worthwhile. The sentence structure is at times a little formal, but it all rings true. Compassionate and hopeful, this book is the gift of a brave and generous spirit. Even a great ending!!