On Being 100: 31 Centenarians Share Their Extraordinary Lives and Wisdom

How wonderful it must be to absorb the experiences of an entire century with your own eyes; to be blessed with the strength of character, strong will, and good fortune to be able to one day sit back and reflect on 100 years of life. For most of us such longevity and the wisdom that comes with it are a dream. But there are those with just such a long and delightful story to tell.


On Being 100 is a beautiful collection of photographs and essays, a touching
journey through the memories and insights of 31 extraordinary centenarians. The optimistic attitude, the glorious sense of adventure and wonder, and the pioneering spirit shared by each fascinating individual are sure to touch you deeply. Inside, you will be pleased to meet:

€ Cora Luchetti, a survivor of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
€ Frederica Sagor Maas, a silent-film screenwriter in the glory days of Hollywood
€ Louise Scott, who worked as a dancer at Harlem's famed Apollo Theatre
€ Theodore J. Young, who helped design the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
€ And many, many others!


This intimate collection of photos and interviews celebrates the lives of 31 extraordinary men and women. Centenarians one and all, these remarkable individuals have been chosen not only for their longevity, but also for the richness of their lives and the lessons they can teach us all.


The people here have much to share, especially about living each day to its fullest. They have lived through the most amazing events of human history and endured, persevered, learned, adapted, forgave, forgot, and learned some more€"and through it all have experienced lives full of joy. These stories and photographs are a magical, first-hand account of their incredible memories and moments.


About the Author

Liane Enkelis, a freelance photographer and writer, is the author and photographer of Reflections on a Century 2000 Calendar: Memories of Centenarians, and coauthor and photographer of On Our Own Terms: Portraits of Women Business Leaders. She lives in Pasadena, California. You can visit her Website at /www.lianeenkelis.com