In Our Prime by Patricia Cohen Page A

for University Relations at Cornell University
    â€œThe notion that middle age is essentially a cultural construction is not one that will be surprising to historians. But New York Times journalist Patricia Cohen makes this case with breadth and verve. . . . In Our Prime is a serious and useful survey in the subject likely to remain a standard of its kind for some time to come.”
    â€”Jim Cullen, George Mason University’s History News Network
    â€œBefore allowing yourself another distressing look in the mirror, I recommend Patricia Cohen’s magisterial new book on the social construction of middle age. Cohen moves seamlessly from the origins of the concept to the newest scientific findings, all the while sustaining a fascinating narrative.”
    â€”Juliet Schor, author of Born to Buy: The Commercialized
Child and the New Consumer Culture and True Wealth: How and Why Millions of Americans Are Creating a Time-Rich, Ecologically Light, Small-Scale, High-Satisfaction Economy
    â€œWith intelligence and wit, Patricia Cohen has written a wonderfully readable book that details the untold history of middle age and its surprising journey through the popular culture and the research lab. A brilliant analyst and keen observer, she connects the story of middle age to the story of America’s emergence into the modern world. Anyone who is, has been, or will be middle-aged will want to read this book.”
    â€”Barbara Strauch, author of The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain and science editor at The New York Times
    â€œPatricia Cohen has written the liberation anthem of middle age. She shows us that there is nothing inevitable about spending middle age in the panicked pursuit of youth; we do it because the ad men tell us to. It is a cultural fiction that middle age need be approached with dread. In this carefully researched and skillfully told history of middle age in America, Cohen shows us that our middle years can be years of prestige, autonomy, and confidence—the best years of our lives.”
    â€”Tina Rosenberg, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World
    â€œPatricia Cohen deftly examines the shifting definitions of middle age. She demonstrates how TV, movies, and advertising have shaped us. Most intriguing of all is Cohen’s critical assessment of our huge self-help industry and its ability to manipulate midlife anxiety. In Our Prime is an important book, fascinating, gorgeously researched, and extremely readable.”
    â€”Patricia Bosworth, author of Jane Fonda:
The Private Life of a Public Woman

Advance Praise for In Our Prime
    â€œWith intelligence and wit, Patricia Cohen has written a wonderfully readable book that details the untold history of middle age and its surprising journey through the popular culture and the research lab. A brilliant analyst and keen observer, she connects the story of middle age to the story of America’s emergence into the modern world, bringing to life the filmmakers and admen, scientists and hucksters who have shaped our understanding and experience of the middle years.”
    â€”Barbara Strauch, author of The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain

“In this extraordinary, comprehensive book about middle age, Patricia Cohen provides us with a wise and unique appraisal of recent scientific research on human development during midlife and describes how it has dealt a deathblow to false myths about the midlife crisis.”
    â€”Orville Gilbert Brim Jr., former director of the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development
    â€œPatricia Cohen has written the liberation anthem of middle age. She shows us that there is nothing inevitable about spending middle age in the panicked pursuit of youth; we do it because the admen tell us to. It is a cultural fiction that middle age need be approached with dread. In this carefully researched and skillfully told