8000 Years of Wisdom: 100 Octogenarians Share Their Lessons Learned from Life

by Michelle Abadie (Author), Mike Cast (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2010

  $3.25

  What words of wisdom gained from your own life experience would you pass on to future generations? That was the question put to 100 octogenarians from all over the world, some famous, others ordinary - all extraordinary. The answers of a generation who grew up between two World Wars form a documentary of wise words and fascinating first-hand social history of life before the invention of mass-production cars and planes and a time prior to the birth of the National Health Service. Real-life stories include: the husband who was captured by the Gestapo on his wedding night, the alcoholic who became a philosopher, the founder of Iyengar yoga, the man who created Paddington Bear, a member of the Dambusters' raid, survivors of Auschwitz, Nazi labour camps, Japanese death marches and the blitz, the lady who listened in on Winston Churchill's war-time telephone conversations It is a living history seen through the eyes of those who have lived through fascinating social and historical events over the last 80 years or so and reflects the dramatic changes that the world has seen over that time, as experienced by people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some stories reflect on major world events, such as the two world wars, or significant social developments, such as the advent of widespread car ownership and commercial air flights, opening up travel to the everyday person. On a more domestic level, memories include simple home remedies in widespread use before the arrival of the NHS, such as onion gruel, bread poultices, mustard baths, goose fat and brimstone and treacle. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, to support the Chelsea Pensioners.