The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year Old Man by columnist and editor for the Washington Post, David Von Drehie, is an amazing biography of Charles White, Von Drehie’s Kansas City neighbor.
I felt a kinship to Charles White because he was born the same year as my father, 1905. In telling Charlie’s story, the author brought me through the years of America’s history as my father experienced it, from horse-drawn carriages to the early automobile, the Great Depression, two World Wars, wireless communication, radio and television. My father passed away before experiencing what Charles did: the everyday use of computers and smartphones plus huge strides in the medical world.
As a young boy, Charles experienced a shocking tragedy and through it mastered survival strategies that served him well throughout his long life. He learned how to thrive, not just survive.
Charles, usually called Charlie, put himself through medical school by playing self-taught saxophone at college dances. He became a doctor during the Great Depression, when house calls were considered the normal form of primary care. Charlie experienced a long life as a doctor with years as a general practitioner followed by decades as an anesthesiologist.
Although his life as a physician was fascinating, I found his philosophy of life truly inspirational. His messages: live life right now, the past is beyond our influence, the future is unknown, now is the only thing we can touch so we must always be ready for opportunity. The book is chock-full of such gems including my favorite: “Life unfolds by accident, despite our hopes and plans.”
The Book of Charlie is a wonderful, refreshing story of a man who lived life purposefully. I would recommend this book to people of all ages— there’s something in it for everyone.
