Keep Moving Lib/E: And Other Tips and Truths about Aging

by Dick Van Dyke (Reader)

In this entertaining and inspirational memoir, Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke shares his secret to staying resilient in old age.

Beloved Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke will celebrate his ninetieth birthday in December 2015. He s an established legend, having starred in "Mary Poppins," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." And yet he s still keeping himself busy, entertaining America on television, in movies, on the stage, and on social media. Everyone wonders, How does he do it? For the first time, Van Dyke shares his secrets and tips on old age just keep moving.

With a fun and folksy way of addressing its audience, "Keep Moving" serves as an instruction book on how to embrace old age with a positive attitude. The chapters are filled with exclusive personal anecdotes that explore various themes on aging: how to adapt to the physical and social changes, deal with loss of friends and loved ones, stay current, fall in love again, and keep moving every day like there s no tomorrow."

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Memoir, Humor, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

Audio CD

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Dick Van Dyke, the star of Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show, has received five Emmy awards, a Tony, and a Grammy. In 2013, he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. He is also the bestselling author of My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business. He lives in Malibu, California.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you call an old guy like Dick Van Dyke, who, when he turned ninety kept right on with his strenuous daily workouts down at the gym? No fool like and old fool? Or a guy who KEEPS ON TRYING TO LIVE HIS LIFE TO THE FULLEST?

Watch out: your answer will speak volumes about you...

Some guys always see their glasses as half-full! If you're one of those, count yourself lucky. You may not even have to work out to keep your blood pressure under control, if you're like that -

And you'll SLEEP nights!

Fairy tales can come true -
It can happen to you -
If you're young at heart.

And if you should survive
To a hundred and five
Think of all you'll derive
Outta being alive:
And here is the best part:
You have a head start
If you are among the very YOUNG AT HEART.

If old Blue Eyes were roasting Dick now, he'd sing that.

When I was working and living downtown in my twenties, I used to love to watch Dick and Morrie Amsterdam firing off their one-liners at a canned audience, on the old Dick Van Dyke show I used to watch as a High School freshman.

Dick, of course, would later rocket to superstardom as Happy Go Lucky Bert in Mary Poppins.

The demands - and the walls themselves - started to close in on once-happy Dick, though, with heavy work time and one too many Happy Hours, and for a brief time his fizzle faltered. But now he’s come clean about his alcoholism! It’s out in the open. How does he keep it at bay?

He Keeps Moving!

And the big guy upstairs always looks kindly on backsliders who have hearts of gold, and before too long his happy mojo was workin’ like a charm again. We all love him and wish him well, as entropy takes its inevitable course to a necessary exit, Stage right:

Oh, he has his detractors - you know them, sad sacks all - but from all of us to whom he’s given so much, with little more than a few laughs (and a bit of the Old Soft Shoe)…

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, DICK!

[Banner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some random thoughts I had of this audio book (yes it was cool listening to him read his own book).

Gracious. Dick Van Dyke definitely had his opinions about life, religion, politics, marriage and I enjoyed the telling. But what made this book so appealing to me was his kind manner that he demonstrated throughout.

History. As much as he experienced he never seemed to have forgotten where he came from. It was a pleasure hearing his witness to history.

Humor. I think his humor seemed so natural because it is. He really seems to enjoy life.
Most of my favorite bits involved his brother, Jerry.

"Keep moving", was more than a title to a book, but a philosophy of life for Dick. It was an inspirational book by a beloved actor from what I call, "the good old days".

[Anna Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I don't know if I've ever admitted this on here, but I love Dick Van Dyke. He's my old man celebrity crush. He definitely is interesting enough to qualify as my fantasy Grandpa. There's a lot of interesting anecdotes in this book, that were not in his memoirs. Its like a mini memoir/advice book. I got sucked in right away, happy to spend time with Dick. The voice of the book is distinctively his, and with so many celebrities "writing" books I appreciated that immensely. I also liked the insights from his brother Jerry and his friend of over sixty years, Carl Reiner (amazing men in their own rights). He's a very intelligent man, more liberal than you'd expect from someone of his age and active in rights movements even now. He's 90 years old, still dancing and can use Twitter. What a guy!!! I <3 Dick Van Dyke. Like Stan Lee and Betty White, he must live FOREVER.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from Audible Plus; It’s not too long. It’s Dick Van Dyke’s thoughts on getting old—by which he means elderly, past-your-expiration-date, not “I can’t believe I’m 50 I’m so old” old. It was written as he was about to turn 90. He’s a guy with no dance training who nevertheless has never been able to stop dancing wherever he is.



It’s kind of random, just a collection of thoughts, and not all of it is interesting. Van Dyke narrates it himself, which is great because he has a natural enthusiasm. But his diction is declining in clarity, as it happens when we age, so it was hard to understand sometimes.

He gets into politics just a little bit, and I cringed at that. I wish Hollywood would stay out of politics. It almost always makes me dislike actors. Still, Van Dyke comes across as a genuinely gregarious person. I remember a few years ago he was scheduled to attend our local comic con. He was having some health problems and missed a day, and the fans were like “It’s cool; take care of yourself” but he hauled himself over anyway because he’d made that commitment. (I think I ended up choosing to see Brandon Sanderson over Van Dyke. It was nothing personal; I just go where the books are.)

Clean content

[Kurt Pankau · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not prepared for how terrible this book would be. I grew up watching reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show. I borrowed this from the library expecting it to be charming and familiar and warm and fuzzy--like a favorite bedtime story as narrated by Morgan Freeman. Ostensibly a how-to guide for the nonagenarian, I thought it would secretly be a blend of philosophy and memoir. What I got instead was rambling and aimless Hallmark dreck, including such gems as "That Old Senility" set to the tune of "The Bear Necessities" and a grade-card of historical events in Van Dyke's lifetime (spoiler alert: Hitler, the Kennedy assassination, and the 9/11 attacks each got an F). It's like a Jackson Pollock painting of saccharine anecdotes and folksy wisdom.

There is no progression or or organization of thought, so anything that feels vaguely like a theme or memorable factoid shows up often and at random. The text is somehow both stilted and overwritten. Prose problems range from mere redundancy--"...the daily routines that filled her days" and "I wasn't just surprised, I was in shock"--to seriously clunky nonsense--"...they really want to know how I've managed to grow old without growing up, and the answer is this: I haven't grown up." There is no joke that doesn't have its punchline explained to the reader. When describing his own wedding, he ends it with "...it was the best wedding I've ever been to--and the best part is I was in it!" Even chapter titles like "Sit or Get Off the Pot Roast" can't go without being explicitly commented on.

It's like he doesn't trust the reader to laugh in the right spots. Which is why I spent so much of an already short book wishing he would just get to the damned point already. The worst excess was the chapter where he describes the death of his long-term partner Michelle Triola. At this point, we already know that he's re-married, so that cat is out of the bag. And he starts the passage by saying that he and Triola had always assumed he would die first--so we have a pretty good idea of where this is heading. Then we get pages and pages about how they had made plans, but they didn't dwell on it, and it only made sense that she would outlive him, after all he was older and women tend to live longer than men anyway, and he had made arrangements, but it had never occurred... I was ready to tear my hair out, which is not the reaction you want when describing the tragic loss of a loved one, methinks.

Later, when Van Dyke talks about meeting his new wife, the 46-years-his-junior Arlene Silver, it's supposed to have a meet-cute feel. But if you do the math (and I did!) you realize that his fawning over her and taking her to dinner and offering her a job out of the blue all happened years before Triola died. And then it all becomes kinda skeezy. He tries to depict it as a "blossoming friendship" but the creepy-old-man vibe never goes away, especially when he talks about (later, post Triola's death) proposing to her dozens of times and her laughing because she assumes it's always a joke. And that brings me to the other big problem this book has. I don't think Van Dyke has any idea how douchey he sounds.

Early on he describes seeing his wife give a belly-dancing show on his birthday. He was so taken by the music that he just got right up there on stage and danced with her. He talks about not wanting to steal the spotlight, and then describes EXACTLY HOW HE STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT, even doing a little improvised solo dance off to the side while his wife performed. He recounts his many successes and tragedies in that same matter-of-fact tone, eschewing context and struggles. Maybe this is genuine humility on his part, but it reads as though the man's entire life just dropped into his lap and now he's going to give you advice about how to live yours. Fittingly, near the end he shares what he understands to be the single biggest factor in living a long and active life: good genes. *headdesk*

I still like the man, and I would never begrudge anyone their honest-won success and happiness. Hell, I'm happy for him. I hope he lives another twenty years. But if you want to celebrate his life, skip this book and find some reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a concept of silver economy, it's growing into fashion. This flimsy-ish volume is a great take on silver psychology. It's a memoir, of course, but as it's a work of a particularly healthy mind, it's incredibly good in that respect as well.

Illuminating and enlightening. A lot of fun thoughts about age and our skewed take on it. Also a lot of great ideas about love, God, religion, beliefs, history and our perception of it, pro tips on living lovely, dancing through the times.

Q:
Old age should be revered, admired, respected, treated to dinner, opened and allowed to breathe like a fine wine, given aisle seats on an airplane, helped up the stairs, and looked upon with patience, especially in the checkout line at the grocery store. Old people like to make conversation with the checkers. If approached correctly, says this former Boy Scout, old age should be considered a merit badge for a life well lived. (c)
Q:
“My God … I’ve never seen so much arthritis in a single person.”
“What about a married person?” (c)
Q:
Amazing? Why is it amazing that I don’t act my age? Why should I act my age? Or more to the point, how is someone my age supposed to act? Old age is part fact, part state of mind, part luck, and wholly something best left for other people to ponder, not you or me. Why waste the time? I don’t. (c)
Q:
From what I have observed, birthdays get scary as you march through your twenties. At thirty, you don’t know whether to celebrate: what’s to get excited about—the end of youth? The beginning of adulthood? I overheard someone say that fifty is the new thirty. Does that make thirty the new ten? (c)
Q:
Today I don’t worry about anything. At eighty-nine, what’s the point? But I don’t think worrying served much of a purpose when I was younger. It was a waste of time, I suppose. It was an attitude suppressor. The less you worry, the better your attitude is, and a positive, worry-free, guilt-free attitude is key to enjoying life at any age—especially old age. (c)
Q:
This will tell you a lot about me: I do the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen. There are three types of people: those who don’t do the crossword puzzle, those who do it in pencil, and those who do it in pen. I have done the Times’s crossword puzzles for decades, so you would think I’d be pretty adept at them by now. But no, my ability has stayed the same over all these years. (c)
Q:
Age is something you do not think about until it happens, and I am here to inform you it happens slowly, with a sneaky tap on the shoulder. (c)
Q:
I got over it—immediately—as I do most things. (c)
Q:
With the right attitude, age is immaterial. At eighty-nine, I became the executive creative producer of the Malibu Playhouse. The opportunity was unexpected, but I thought, “Why not try?" (c)
Q:
In the dream I am running through an open field, running like a deer—free and fast and wide open without ever getting tired. I dream that a lot, probably because I can’t run like that anymore. It is a spectacular dream: therapeutic, thrilling, energizing, and fun. Then I wake up feeling—”
“Like a kid,” Jerry said.
“Yes, exactly like I did as a kid.” (c)
Q:
… keep your inner child alive and well. Dance with it. Take it out to lunch. Indulge it. Do whatever it takes. (c)
Q:
7. I learn something new every day, like lines from Shakespeare. I make time nearly every day to memorize the lines. I started with King Lear and enjoyed the sound of my recitations as much as I did the accomplishment of having committed them to memory. The language is beautiful, and the writing is full of truth. “Love is not love when it is mingled with regards that stand aloof from the entire point.” …
If Shakespeare doesn’t ignite your curiosity, find another subject—biology, science, history, literature, comedy, music, cooking—the options are infinite. And good for you. (c)
Q:
This is the biggest surprise of all, I suppose. Love is everything when you are thirteen. It is everything when you are in your twenties and thirties. Finding it again is everything if you lose it in your forties or fifties. You cherish it in your sixties and seventies. And it is just as powerful and intoxicating if you are lucky enough to have it in your eighties and nineties.
It is all about love. (c)
Q:
TIP: Look your age. But don’t act it….
TRUTH: Social Security is the only security you have in life. Let’s hope that doesn’t get screwed up.
TIP: Easy Street doesn’t exist. Stop looking for it or wishing you had found it. (c)
Q:
Life is a roll of the dice. You do your best. (c)
Q:
I believe in a higher power that we have to answer to. My higher power has something to do with the inexplicable, massiveness, mystery, and beauty of the universe.
The higher power I believe in does not discriminate and does not tolerate discrimination. The higher power I believe in has left it up to us to figure out how to navigate all the complexities that get in the way of us understanding that the only things that truly matter are compassion and love. We get the gift of life; we have to figure out how to make it matter. (c)
Q:
…
you don’t have to act your age. You don’t even have to feel it. And if it does attempt to elbow its way into your life, you do not have to pay attention.
If I am out shopping and hear music playing in a store, I start to dance. If I want to sing, I sing. I read books and get excited about new ideas. I enjoy myself. I don’t think about the way I am supposed to act at my age—or at any age. As far as I know, there is no manual for old age. There is no test you have to pass. There is no way you have to behave. There is no such thing as “age appropriate. (c)

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/12/19:

I've loved Dick Van Dyke in his roles over the years. I haven't seen him in everything he's done, but I've loved him in everything I've seen him perform. The first was Mary Poppins! At dinner tonight, I mentioned I was reading this book to my family, and I shared with them a few things I found particularly interesting. My son told me that he remembered Dick Van Dyke from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day(2014). I insisted that Van Dyke was NOT in that movie and continued with my story. Later, my husband confirmed that he WAS indeed in the movie, and as soon as he started explaining, I knew he was right. So, of course, I had to apologize to my son. :-) I recommend that movie, by the way. Just be aware that there is a scene at the end which almost for sure will go over the heads of your kids, but it IS there. It's funny, but also shocking. Anyway....

Somewhere, it was mentioned that Dick Van Dyke has a commitment to only being in family-friendly roles/movies/shows. Assuming it's true - and it seems that it likely is - I think that's FANTASTIC!!!

I really enjoyed his anecdotes as well as his thoughts about aging and staying young - and of ageism (which I didn't realize was a word).

I was VERY disappointed when I heard that he left church forever years ago because of one church elder who did not want any black people in the church. Whaaaaat? The prejudice of one church elder does not represent Christianity as a whole!

6/13/19:

I'm very surprised to learn that Mr. Van Dyke is not a conservative, which echoes what he says of himself -- many people approach him and assume that he is politically conservative. Ha!

In general, I love hearing the anecdotes, such as his explanation of why he has turned down multiple requests to appear on Dancing with the Stars.

At one point, he lists of history's notable moments - from his point-of-view. I loved that many of the notables were in the entertainment industry.

LOVED the tale about his old dog! If you're an animal-lover, this will tickle you.

I wouldn't classify this as a book of humor, but I do find myself smiling frequently. :-D

6/14/19:

Finished! At one point, Mr. Van Dyke said he was speaking to an audience, listing what he'd do if he became president. This isn't an exact quote, but it went something like this. He listed all the sort of rights he'd support - the only one I remember for sure is women's rights - and then said that his speech was so far to the left because he kept talking about rights. I thought that was funny, even though I'm a conservative. Basically, I support whatever I feel is in line with the Bible, and I think it odd that women's rights and black rights - is that the right way to say it? - is associated only with left political leanings. That doesn't seem right to me. (Ha! I made my own joke!)

He includes a brief interview with Carl Reiner, which I found interesting. Not mentioned in the interview is a funny fact I found on Wikipedia. Apparently, Carl Reiner plays Carl Reineroceros (voice) in Toy Story 4 (2019). Ha!

One thing I do want to note is that Dick Van Dyke occasionally says OMG, spelled out, which I found unfortunate. One more note about religion. He seems to think that religion and prayer are a good idea, but doesn't believe anything in particular. I always find that odd when I hear someone say something along those lines. What's the point of believing anything if you don't believe it? (That's kind of my take on that whole philosophy.)

Okay. I'm going to wrap up these random thoughts - unless I think of something later. I think I have to give the book 5 stars. I'm not deducting any stars for the OMG references because it's not a Christian book. Another review I read mentioned that the paper copy definitely is in need of edits, but I listened to the audio book, so I can't comment on that.

I don't agree with everything Mr. Van Dyke says, but it is HIS book about HIS philosophy on life, and I found it very entertaining. I come away from reading it still thinking it would be lovely to meet him someday. :-)

[Chaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have quit when he spent two minutes describing how to make a bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, but I'm incapable of abandoning books. Mildly entertaining, since he's such a charming character, and the audiobook narration was pretty good. However, my cranky feminist tendencies come out when a man repeatedly asserts, "I just can't stop myself!" from dancing everywhere, including going up on the stage to steal/ share his wife's spotlight at her dance performance. I get it, he's made dancing a career, and it's awesome that he's still doing it at 89. But dude, let your wife have her moment.

There were a fair number of entertaining sections, but overall this wasn't a great read.

[Camille Maio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by a beloved man. I thought that - being fifty years his junior - I would not relate to it, but it had many inspirational moments and motivated me to stay fit and healthy so that I can be 93 someday, too!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke's positivity is truly infectious. He reminds me to be a good person and that life is worth living.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Must Read!
What an amazing book. This was a “sampler” and I couldn’t stop reading. The inspiration and uplifting attitude portrayed in this book will keep you smiling for days – and, even get you up and moving. Having just enjoyed the new music video of Mr. Van Dyke, I was surprised to learn his age! I want to move like that today – let along decades from now. This book makes an excellent gift for the decade birthday parties we attend. Well written and fast paced! Enjoy! NetGalley and Weinstein Books provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a breezy, somewhat lightweight book, endearingly read by the author. I'm probably biased, but it was highly enjoyable to listen to such a familiar voice relaying anecdotes from his life. His tips for aging seem to boil down to curiosity, maintaining passions, or adjusting them when need be, and a hefty dose of luck!

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting old is part of life. Love the way he writes about the topic of age and his life in general. Was he perfect? Probably not, but neither am I. Good to know about regrets and what makes you feel good living your life. And the “eating anything you want after 80” those are some words to live by.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If deciding between this one or My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business, read this one. It is shorter, contains most of the relevant stories, and actually was a little more interesting. Not that I consider that saying much. See my review of My Lucky Life.
Dick Van Dyke gives more opinions in this book. He takes a stand and I like that. He talks about his favorite presidents, historical events he lived through, and his daily routine. It actually provides a picture of who he is, not just people he knows.
But I think it falls into the same trap his earlier memoir does. I really feel like his earlier memoir lost me when he started justifying his divorce from his first wife. 'She didn't understand.' 'He was caught between two strong women.' 'Show business was his life! He needed someone who understood that.' etc. etc.
Here the justification is not why he left his wife but why he married someone 43 years younger than himself.
Frankly, I'm more curious as to why he never "got around" to marrying the palimony woman. There is a good story there. You don't live with a person 30+ years and just "forget" to get married! Especially not her!
But anyway, if this book has a theme besides thoughts on growing old, it is a justification of his new wife (who is about the same age of his grandchildren.) Interesting.
I enjoyed it. It was a fast read. And I think my favorite takeaway came at the beginning where he says, I paraphrase, "When you are in your 20s you have Plan A. When you are in your 40s it is Plan B. And when you make it to your 70s you finally realize there is no plan at all."

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspiring, delightful audiobook, read by Dick Van Dyke himself, was a pleasure to listen to. It's about enjoying life, holding on to a positive attitude, and not losing the playfulness of one's inner child. His anecdotes are fascinating and often funny, and he doesn't hesitate to include his opinions on politics, religion, music, etc. He loves the Beatles. He happily reminisces about the old days, but keeps up with new developments in popular culture, music, and technology. He likes Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse, and does CGI animation on his computer. Keep Moving is an entertaining and uplifting audiobook for all ages.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke Narrates a book he has written about his experiences and tips about aging. Its a pretty good and fantastic read about his life and all that has happened to him as he has gotten older. If you enjoy Dick Van Dyke, be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always absolutely loved The Dick Van Dyke Show, so naturally, I have always admired Mr. Van Dyke. When I happened upon this book, I was thrilled with the title Keep Moving as it has been my own mantra for the last few years. I enjoyed the book and was tickled to find I have a few things in common with my idol.

[Narilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep Moving is Dick Van Dyke's memoir and ode to aging. Written as he was about to turn 90, Dick has a lot of opinions and advice on the subject. Most of it boils down to the title, Keep Moving! Stay active, keep doing those things you enjoy for as long as possible and let your inner child play so you can stay young at heart. I especially enjoyed the chapter where he briefly reviewed the historical events he's witnessed and wish this section had been longer. Still, all the anecdotes and advice are entertaining and enjoyable to read.

I listened to the audio book narrated by the author. Dick's joy and love of life comes through brilliantly both in his writing and narration. There are a couple sections where he reads off long lists and the points kind of blend together, which might have been better reading for yourself rather than listening.

Currently available on Audible Plus.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay,

I'm a Dick Van Dyke fan. I know him from Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the Dick Van Dyke show (we have dvds). This is a book about how to grow old without really doing it.
I'm about 31 years away from the age group he considers "old," but even as a "young person" I found this book to be enlightening.

There's a part of me that's worried about getting old, and not being as physically capable of doing everything I can do now (not that I'm athletic or coordinated or anything, but I like to do things I know my grand parents can't do anymore, like curl up into a little ball under a blanket, sit on the floor for hours, and be flexible in general). I may be lazy, but this book has inspired me to keep moving anyway. I feel a lot more like it's okay to do things that are fun that don't seem like work, like trying to learn new instruments (I'm a musician, but not that great at having fun).
It was also good to read from the perspective of someone who has not yet reached old age, because I am one of those people who doesn't know what to do with those who've lived for a long time. I have a lot of different views from Mr. Van Dyke, but I feel a lot more comfortable thinking about talking to older folks who have seemed boring or intimidating in the past. I actually wish I had realized this perspective earlier.

[Lee Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have always liked dick van dyke. Now, I'm not so sure. He is exactly the same age as my Dad and is so very different, which brings us to the advice issues. The only advice I will take is to keep moving. I also like to dance. He came off as an egomaniac at times and a bit spoiled and above the common man. He loved letting everyone know that there is no God, and then proceeded telling us what really happens after death. As if! Because he can dance and act, he has inside knowledge of after life?! Next he went on to tell us how healthy and clean he has lived his life, but tells us that he has taken sleeping pills all his life, even to this day. Um Dick, hate to break it to ya, but sleeping pills are drugs. So get off your high horse and stop putting others down for taking anti depressants etc. he married a woman 45 years younger than himself. I just got tired of hearing about it. Politics? Oh please. Dick, you certainly eliminated half of your audience by going into speeches about your political leanings. Very put offish attitude. Yes we should keep moving. He could have sold the book title and that would have been sufficient. All else is moot.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was hoping it was: a primer on how he suggests seniors work out to keep themselves in good shape. Basically he repeats keep moving numerous times and I get the point...I'll try to get a walk in a bit....but I was hoping for more specifics. He does use a gym, I think daily when he is at home. However, there was no info on what he does at the gym. However, even if it wasn't the book I was hoping for, it was an interesting title. I think he is one of the few actors, or as he puts it, song and dance man, who I would enjoy knowing. It also made me want to go back and watch the Dick Van Dyke show and Mary Poppins again!

I don't regret having read the book. It isn't his fault I expected something different. Mostly I'm explaining why my star count might be lower than most on this title. Entertaining read, but not what I had hoped it would cover. Recommended if you know Dick Van Dyke's name. Can you believe there are kids who haven't watched Mary Poppins? Horrors! What IS the younger generation coming to?!

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. A little meandering but neat to hear some of the stories from a television icon who had lived through many eras of change in the country.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable. Dick Van Dyke has a zest for life that is encouraging and inspiring. I certainly don’t agree with him on many things, but he he embodies an ideal of truly living and enjoying life that is admirable.

[Katy Cellucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing perspective on life, Hollywood, aging and love!

[DarkHeraldMage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed many movies and television shows with Dick Van Dyke acting in them and when I saw this quick memoir I figured it'd be a nice way to help round out the end of this year. It was a fun look at his life, told with the typical sense of humor that he's well known for, and gave a great overview of his 90+ years of life so far, with more still to come.

This book was a reminder that "act your age" doesn't mean anything because there is no defined behavior for any age. Live your life and live it well, because when it's over it's over and it would be a waste if you and those around you didn't look back on it with happiness.

[Zoe Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully funny, real, yet optimistic book about aging!! He makes the idea of getting older something to look forward to; not dread! I recommend this to everyone of all ages. Even my 13 year old daughter loved reading it!!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke is a charmer and his pep and optimistic attitude are contagious! Yet seriously, his blessings in life include good genes and the fact that he's always had a partner in his life. Wishing him many more years of good health and happiness!

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick Van Dyke is simply delightful and this book brought a smile to my face.

[Carolyn Pina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone 50 or more. Interesting, funny, inspiring.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, Thought Provoking, Funny, Inspiring & Insightful! An Awesome Read! I Loved It!