Love Stories of Later Life: A Narrative Approach to Understanding Romance
"InLove in Later Life,Amanda Barusch takes the reader on a tour of late life's romantic possibilities - from infatuation to loss, with stops along the way at ecstasy, betrayal, and other complications. Part romance novel, part scholarly work, the book explores love through the ages. In late life, as when we are younger, love changes everything."--Andrew Scharlach, Associate Dean and Kleiner Professor of Aging, School of Social Welfare, University of California-Berkeley"Until recently (when the Baby Boomers came on the scene), scientists have neglected the topic of passionate love and sexual desire in older folks.  In this delightful, personal book -- filled with up-to-date social psychological research -- Dr. Barusch provides a much needed remedy for that omission."--Elaine Hatfield, Professor, Dept. of Psychology, University of Hawaii"This book dispels any notion that only young people enjoy romance. In a fun and engaging read, Barusch weaves cases with the most cutting-edge academic information on love in a thrilling tale about how love changes with age. The book is potentially transformative, as Barusch uncovers how in many respects the best is yet to come. Although the content appeals to a broad audience and includes experiential exercises to enhance readers' awareness about their own experiences, scholars and practitioners from all health professions should read this book."--Virginia Richardson, Professor, The OhioState University College of Social Work"While acknowledging life-course issues of difficulties and losses, and always the problems of trial and error in love, Barusch relates that, in later years, the opportunities are there for strong emotions. Rather than the usual texts on isolated, impoverished, detached, struggling older people, this book brings out the positive aspects of growing older and acknowledges the possibility of being a whole person at every age."--nsight"InLove in Later Life,Amanda Barusch takes the reader on a tour of late life's romantic possibilities - from infatuation to loss, with stops along the way at ecstasy, betrayal, and other complications. Part romance novel, part scholarly work, the book explores love through the ages. In late life, as when we are younger, love changes everything."--Andrew Scharlach, Associate Dean and Kleiner Professor of Aging, School of Social Welfare, University of California-Berkeley"Until recently (when the Baby Boomers came on the scene), scientists have neglected the topic of passionate love and sexual desire in older folks.  In this delightful, personal book -- filled with up-to-date social psychological research -- Dr. Barusch provides a much needed remedy for that omission."--Elaine Hatfield, Professor, Dept. of Psychology, University of Hawaii"This book dispels any notion that only young people enjoy romance. In a fun and engaging read, Barusch weaves cases with the most cutting-edge academic information on love in a thrilling tale about how love changes with age. The book is potentially transformative, as Barusch uncovers how in many respects the best is yet to come. Although the content appeals to a broad audience and includes experiential exercises to enhance readers' awareness about their own experiences, scholars and practitioners from all health professions should read this book."--Virginia Richardson, Professor, The OhioState University College of Social Work"A scholarly approach to a 'fuzzy' concept, the book is enlivened with rich and often touching stories of love past age 50.  Love is seen though the broad lens of historical, cultural, social, psychological and even spiritual eyes.  A 'must read' for educators and practitioners as well as students of life, this book is a major contribution to breaking the stereotypes of what it means to  grow old and how life continues to be meaningful in the later years."--Connie Corley, Professor, School of Social Work and Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, California State University-LosAngeles"While acknowledging life-course issues of difficulties and losses, and always the problems of trial and error in love, Barusch relates that, in later years, the opportunities are there for strong emotions. Rather than the usual texts on isolated, impoverished, detached, struggling older people, this book brings out the positive aspects of growing older and acknowledges the possibility of being a whole person at every age."--Insight"[Barusch] writers for academic gerontologists who have an interest in the study of late relationships...[and] for elders who desire to gain insight into romantic and sexual relationships in later life. Academically, [Barusch offers] new and profound insights...the book is delightful, hopeful and inspiring. It is rare for an author to successfully address two such diverse audiences. I encourage both academic and public libraries to adopt this fine work."--Stephen M. Marson forAge and Ageing