2 dull stars

Charlie lived an interesting life, but the writing about Charlie was not that interesting. Author von Drehle states something about his neighbor, Charlie, then goes off on tangents about background information that wasn’t about Charlie. It felt like the author was putting in a lot of filler to turn a magazine length piece into a book. I wanted more Charlie and less David von Drehle and his life lessons.

It was interesting to hear about Charlie’s medical career in a time when doctors were paid in food and other goods, if they were paid at all.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover drew me in but the story kept me coming back. Such a sweet, tender story. Thank you for the advance copy! This was the first NetGalley book I read and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

I am not reviewing this one socially because it is NOT for me and a DNF. So far so trite. So cliched about older generations. Ugh

David Von Drehle has written a lovely book about Dr. Charlie White, his neighbor and a gentleman whose life spanned most of the 20th century. Von Drehle's interviews with White (who lived to be 109) make a fascinating read not only in describing the resilient nature of White, but also in giving readers a fascinating history about life in mid-century America as told through the events of White's life.

A charming read. Thank you to #NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for this electronic version of #TheBookofCharlie. The opinions given here are my own.

A truly remarkable story about a man who lived through the majority of the 20th Century. Born in middle America, Charlie traveled to LA, attended Northwestern University, became a doctor, and served in the war. He was also married several times.
I found this story to be fascinating, esp. with all the unique things that Charlie did. Very enjoyable story about this remarkable man.
Lesson to all - speak to your elders and learn their story. They are fascinating!!! Cherish those that have gone before us and paved the way.

What An Inspiring Book!

I felt like I was allowed a special peek into Charlie’s life through the eyes of David Von Drehle that will stay with me for a long time. There we so many nuggets throughout the book that made me just sit and ponder.

Audiobook: This book was read by the author. I always find it even more personal when an author reads their own book.

Reading Group Guide: I felt these were very reflective questions and they were worth reading over and contemplating

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

The Book of Charlie is a loving and lovely tribute to the life of Charles White who lived to be 109 years old by embracing everything that life had to offer and understanding the wisdom of living in the present while firmly facing forward. I highly recommend it to all readers.

I received an early drc from the publisher via Netgalley.

As a fan of history, I loved this book. The author moves to Kansas City and finds that his neighbor is 102 years old and is outside washing a car for his girlfriend. This begins a friendship in which Charlie tells the author the story of his life. It was fascinating to read of his early childhood and what life was like in the Midwest. Charlie was an adventurous child who never shied away from anything. I was particularly interested in the state of medicine and doctors during the years before antibiotics became available. Charlie was the oldest child in the family , but his mother allowed him the freedom to live his life. What a contrast to our times where we tend to micro-manage our children. What a wonderful testament to life!

The Book of Charlie
Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
by David Von Drehle

I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to review an ARC of this work. This review is original and my own unbiased opinion of The Book of Charlie.
This is a very well-written, beautifully touching, and lovely inspirational story that is full of history! This one is a must-read book. It does indeed remind me of "Tuesday with Morrie" only peppered with the history of all our lifes.

I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to review an ARC of this work. This review is original and my own unbiased opinion of The Book of Charlie.

The Book of Charlie is a limited biography of the late Dr. Charlie White who lived a long life primarily in the Kansas City, MO area. Charlie was the neighbor of author David Von Drehle, who interviewed Charlie numerous times during his final years and authored this book. The author was limited by what Charlie told the author, and some of the parts of his long life are not included, either due to lack of information or other issues.

In short the Book of Charlie is about resiliency; how a man encountered numerous obstacles and tragedies going through his life and never giving up. The author believes Charlie best resembled stoicism; I don't necessarily disagree with this opinion but I feel there are other ways to describe the life of Charlie.

Charlie was many things as described in this book--he was persistent, he was brave, he learned to adapt. There are many lessons for all of us in this little book. He lived and loved and traveled extensively, and he was no doubt a good doctor who cared for his patients.

This is a book that makes you feel good about the human spirit. It is uplifting and inspiring. My only criticisms of the book was the constant wanderings in to philosophy which I don't think really matters whether Charlie White was stoic or not. There was too much time spent on philosophy when more stories about Charlie would have been preferred, at least by this reader. The ARC had no pictures; I don't know if this is true of a physical book. It would have been nice to see some photos of Charlie during his life.

The book is short and easily readable over a few days.. I give it a four star rating and recommend it if you like true life stories of real people, not entertainers or politicians or sports figures.

The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle

I have long enjoyed David Von Drehle’s writing via several books, Time magazine, and the Washington Post. So when I read about The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man, I figured I’d like it.

To my surprise, it was available from Netgalley, my usual source for advanced readers, so I do thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this book after publication.

David Von Drehle was thinking about writing another book and this neighbor proved to be a remarkable subject for many reasons. The neighbor was Charlie White MD whose long and remarkable life contains many useful life lessons for us younger folks. (The Retired Guy doesn’t get to include himself in that group very often.)

It is not a very long book (about 200 pages) and well worth your time. I recommend this book as an interesting blend of history as seen by Dr White and his philosophy of life in dealing with both change and challenges.

My favorite part of the book is in the beginning when the author is telling us about some nonsense Charlie's wife gets inadvertently involved in and after telling him the situation Charlie tells her he doesn't have time for "those types" of people. I feel that. This is a nice, concise biography of s man with a curious and adventurous spirit. It was a little repetitive in some spots but overall a great read.

In the tradition of Tuesdays with Morrie, this inspiring, heartfelt memoir by David von Drehle pulls on readers' heartstrings.

There were so many beautiful life lessons, so many nuggets of wisdom. I love books like this that really make me ponder life and what's really important on this journey. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, Mr. von Drehle .

Many thanks to partners, @simonandschuster and @netgalley for this #gifted review copy.

Also, I have to share my excitement! I've been trying to knock out my NetGalley shelf, and I'm finally down to 3! Feeling might accomplished these days!

The life of Charlie White, lives and dies and his 109th birthday. The books details his life and how things have changed and events in history. Would make a great movie, Forrest Gump like - but real!

What I loved:
1. A lovely inspirational story that is full of history!
2. Loved the insights into the life of this 109 year man and how it related to history!
3. It is short and worth the read!

What I wished was different:

1. It really is written more like history facts vs. about Charlie but I was ok with it...just be prepared.
2. Stoicism is over used as a theme in the book!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

Our book club actually read this book and all 14 women loved it. The author could have let Charlie tell more of his own story but overall he did a great job. The one thing that I took away from the book was the way that Charlie’s mom made him be strong and better. She did not sugar coat life and make it easy. I loved the way he always held onto the card she wrote him on his graduation. The book was a quick easy read.

"The Book of Charlie" by David Von Drehle is a captivating and thought-provoking work that immerses readers in a rich tapestry of history and personal discovery. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this meticulously researched and beautifully written novel transports us to a time of great upheaval and resilience.

At the heart of the story is Charlie, a young man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes him from the battlefields of Europe to the depths of his own soul. As Charlie navigates the horrors of war, he grapples with profound questions of morality, identity, and the true meaning of heroism. Von Drehle masterfully captures the complexity of Charlie's character, painting him as a flawed yet deeply sympathetic protagonist whose experiences resonate long after the final page.

The author's meticulous attention to historical detail is evident throughout the narrative, painting a vivid and immersive portrait of the era. From the chaos of the D-Day invasion to the harrowing realities of life in a POW camp, Von Drehle's prose skillfully brings these pivotal moments in history to life, allowing readers to witness the profound impact they had on individuals and societies alike.

Moreover, "The Book of Charlie" goes beyond being a mere war story. It delves into themes of human connection, sacrifice, and the transformative power of compassion. Von Drehle weaves together multiple storylines and perspectives, skillfully exploring the intricate dynamics of love, friendship, and loyalty in the face of adversity. The characters, both primary and secondary, are richly developed and imbued with a sense of authenticity that makes their triumphs and tragedies deeply affecting.

While the novel excels in many aspects, there are instances where the pacing feels uneven, with certain sections dragging slightly. However, this minor quibble does not detract from the overall impact of the book, which is an engrossing and emotionally resonant reading experience.

In "The Book of Charlie," David Von Drehle has created a powerful and memorable tale that combines historical accuracy with a profound exploration of the human spirit. It is a testament to the enduring strength of the human soul in times of unimaginable hardship. This book will undoubtedly leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who came before us and inspire contemplation on the fundamental questions that shape our existence.

A fascinating character, a terrific writer, a genuine relationship (real-life, not writer-subject) and -- at its core -- an important message overflowing with timeless wisdom. Laughs, lessons and lots of love. It's the best combination of it all since "Tuesdays With Morrie."

The Book of Charlie is an inspirational book about Dr. Charlie White. Charlie was the author's neighbor and lived to the ripe age of 109. When the author met Charlie at age 102, he was washing his girlfriend's car. Charlie was born Aug 16, 1905, during Teddy Roosevelt's administration. He was a physician who started practicing prior to the invention of penicillin. He drove a car before highways existed. He lived nearly half the history of the United States.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved hearing of Charlie's exploits throughout his long-lived life. The book gave me "Forrest Gump feels". Readers young and old can learn from Charlie and be amazed to see what he endured and accomplished. Thank you to author David Von Drehle for sharing Charlie's story with the world!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this great book!

I enjoyed this historical biography of a man who lived well over 100 years. Charlie lived most of his life in Kansas City and the author gives us a great sense of Kansas City in Charlie's youth. If you are from Kansas City or have a KC connection, you'll enjoy reading about it.
As for Charlie himself, he lived a good life, though not without challenges and disappointments. He simply put one foot in front of another and carried on. It's a good message for all of us.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's both charming and informative.