Book Review: The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle

Cover Image: The Book of Charlie

Acknowledgment is due to NetGalley, the author David Von Drehle, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man. This extraordinary book is a profound exploration of resilience, wisdom, and the art of living well. 

David Von Drehle’s telling of Dr. Charlie White’s story

This is more than a biography; it’s a meditation on how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and purpose. Charlie White’s remarkable 109 years offer lessons on thriving through seismic cultural shifts and personal trials, making his life a blueprint for resilience and wisdom.

 

A Stoic Blueprint for Modern Life

As a student of Stoicism, I’m drawn to stories that exemplify its principles. Charlie’s life embodies them effortlessly. From enduring the loss of his father as a child to adapting to monumental societal changes, Charlie offers timeless lessons:

  • Accept what you cannot change.
  • Focus on your actions, not external circumstances.
  • Live with gratitude, humility, and self-reliance.

 

Life’s Trials and Triumphs

Von Drehle captures Charlie’s quiet strength with vivid detail. He faced life’s setbacks—losses, disappointments, and humiliations—without bitterness, instead savoring fleeting moments of beauty and kindness. His philosophy? Control your response, not the chaos around you. It’s a perspective deeply rooted in Stoic teachings yet universally relevant today.

 

Lessons for Everyone

This book transcends its subject to become a modern manual for resilience. We can find inspiration in Charlie’s adaptability, whether enduring the Spanish Flu pandemic as a child or navigating rapid technological advancements as a physician. For anyone seeking purpose, Charlie’s life demonstrates that even amid adversity, joy and meaning are attainable.

 

Why It Matters

Von Drehle writes with clarity and heart, blending history, philosophy, and personal narrative into a rich tapestry. The Book of Charlie reminds us of an essential truth: while we cannot control what life throws at us, we can control how we respond. That, ultimately, is the key to a life well-lived.

 

For anyone yearning for inspiration, adaptability, or a Stoic approach to life’s challenges, this book is a must-read. Charlie’s story is one of triumph over circumstance and leaves us with an enduring lesson: grace and resilience are always within reach.

 

Rating: 5/5

Charles Francis, 1/21/2025

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