This is a book that should be on the bookshelf of every gerontologist today.

Harry R. Moody, Director of Academic Affairs, AARP:
This is the biography of Robert Butler we've been waiting for. For those who were privileged to know him, this book brings him vividly to life. For those who recognize his influence, it will illuminate his legacy. For all who expect to grow old, it will bring a lasting message of hope.

Ken Dychtwald, President and CEO, Age Wave:
Considering the enormous impact Robert Neil Butler had on gerontology, I am thrilled that W. Andrew Achenbaum has taken on the very fitting and formidable task of depicting and commemorating Butler's life work. Butler's career was marked by a fundamental optimism toward the aged which brought talent, rigor, and legitimacy to the field of gerontology. I look forward to the insights I am certain to gain from better understanding the life of this great pioneer.

Scott A. Bass, American University:
W. Andrew Achenbaum has crafted a biographical masterpiece about a significant contributor to the ideas and social ideals of the twentieth century. He reconstructs the life and contributions of Robert N. Butler—psychiatrist, foremost authority on aging, Pulitzer Prize winner, and activist—and in the process illuminates the practices, debates, and concerns surrounding aging in America and around the world. This book about a remarkable visionary is a must-read, reaffirming Achenbaum's position as a leading scholar and historian of aging in America.

Leah Rogne, Minnesota State University:
This is not only a personal biography of an iconic figure in the field of aging but also a biography of the discipline of gerontology. The stories fill in the blanks for us and help make sense of our own professional lives as we see more fully the role Robert N. Butler played in the development of the field. Dr. Butler was our hero, and he gave us courage. His story needs to be shared.