Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life

I was recommended this book to see different perspectives in life cycles. I was not disappointed.Incredible insight.

This book explores life's many passages

When I was 33 I was going thru what I found out, was a pretty predictable time in my life, but was actually experiencing it before most friend. I was a young woman second guessing my life. I was trying to get a career, raise two pre-teen sons (good boys by the way) and getting ready to breakup a 10 year relationship, sell our home and all that goes with it. This was to be my second adult Subdivision as I called it. Depression was abounding.I had a dear friend a few years older and wiser who gave me this book and WOW, how enlightening it was. It made my life come into focus and personal choices aiming more to well thought out.That was in 1982. I have recommended this book to several women throughout my life’s journey, some I knew it could have an impact on as it did me, some it would not.My granddaughter has been floundering for several years and is turning 30 in a few months, so I purchase this in paperback for her. Unfortunately I don’t think it will help, but I can only try. Sometimes you have to take heart and emotions out of the equation and just nut up as my grandson the marine said and do it, which I was able to do, when I needed several time in my life, no matter the situation or people.I just noticed a second book by Gail and just purchased it.I’m turning 74 and have seen and done a lot, still have not made it to the pinnacle I wanted, but got damn close and finally achieved the independence happiness and well being I wanted physical and mind. I achieved it around 50.

Insightful and extensive. Nonetheless, i must say that Mrs Sheehy (through some 'passages' in the book)seems to be projecting too much personal experiences in her conclusions.All that said, this book is, definitively, a masterpiece. A must for everyone who enjoy learning more a moreabout the fascinating suject of human experience and their predictable, but still interesting, ways.

Passages was the first book I ever read that set out the various "passages" that we go through as we begin to mature. I was bowled over, because I had begun to realize how different I was at various ages, going through obvious changes, every 10 years or so. I called these stages "Plateaus", and felt so validated in my own awareness of these stages. At the time it was first published in the 70's, I thought it was brilliant, and best of all, reassuring. I was in my early 30's then, and the book really gave me hope for my future. I have to say I have continued to be very aware of these passages, which seem to occur roughly every 10 years or so (I'm a year away from turning 80, and it's still happening!). I was thrilled when Gail Sheehy actually came out with a follow-up book about what life is like in our 50's and 60's. If you want to understand what the heck has been happening to you and those you know - in a way that clears up so much confusion, read this book - it's timeless!

In my professional life, I study resilience (the ability to cope, adapt, and even thrive in situations where others usually succumb to psychological adversity or negative outcomes) and several people I have met have recommended for me to read Gail Sheehy's books; particularly "Passages."Sheehy's books do touch on resilience and go into details on situations that do contribute to resilience in the adult construct. This book, however, is NOT about resilience (which is why I think I was disappointed/let down). Also, this book is looonnnggg with alot more detail then I really think needs to be given.Overall- this book is about the different events/life situations that we go through in our 20s, 30s, 40s , 50s, etc. There was different chapters and sections where I felt myself relating... but then when she started writing about the older generations (then my own) I was kind of lost.This remains a classic and bestseller.... but was a little heavy reading for me and did not actually cover what I thought it was going too....

I had read Passages 20 years ago, then donated it to a library. From then on, I regretted not having it when I talked with friends about the transitions in adult life. The last time I had that regret, I happily remembered that I could order used books easily on Amazon, so I got two copies. One is to lend and one is to keep.What is so special about this book is that it picks up where other books end. There are thousands of books about infants, young children and teens. We fully understand that growth is a process and that, while each person is unique, there are commonalities in development. However, once we are adults, we seem to think we are static.Passages describes the normal growth throughout life. It is comforting to see, for example, that most people have to seriously reassess their goals in their 40's.This book is especially encouraging for parents of adult chidren. It affirms that we are changing our own priorities and it helps us to see how our needs and the ever changing needs of our offspring can complement one another. Maybe most importantly, we are reminded that their attention to their own careers and children right when we crave more intimacy with them is normal and healthy.

This should be a companion guide for adulthood.

Just buy it! Most important book on my shelf

If you want to grow emotionally this is your hand book. Enjoy your journey.

Very good boom

This book was brought as used, the condition was good.

Real life experiences. Sound advice. While it appears culture specific, at a generality level it covers all human situations cutting across nations, religions, cultures et ell and to that extent it is a great analysis and superior advice. Never to accept anything blindly but compels you modify the observations/advice to your own situations and should one not be able to do so rightly, One could be in trouble In the absence of differentiating the meanings and relating all those to your specific situations, the book could be blamed for no fault of the author. All in all it is an excellent book. Lovers of the subject should take pains to look for "The Path Finders"for more fundamental exposition of the reality!