The Force of Character: And the Lasting Life

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Soul’s Code presents profound and revolutionary reflections on aging and navigating life’s second half.

“This is a book that will comfort someone afraid of getting old. Its gentle messages shine through.”—Los Angeles Times

“Marvelous . . . For a book about longevity, The Force of Character is just about perfect.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Character requires the additional years,” declares renowned lecturer James Hillman. “The last years confirm and fulfill character.” Far from blunting or dulling the self, the accumulation of experience concentrates the essence of our being, heightening our individual mystery and unique awareness of life. Drawing on his grounding in Jungian psychology, Hillman explores the archetypes and myths that govern the self’s realignment in our final years.

The Force of Character follows an enriching journey through the three stages of aging—lasting, the deepening that comes with longevity; leaving, the preparation for departure; and left, the special legacy we each bestow on our survivors. Along the way, Hillman explores the meanings and often hidden virtues of characteristic physical and emotional changes, such as loss of memory, alterations in sleep patterns, and the mysterious upsurge in sensual imagination.

Steeped in the wisdom of a lifetime, and radiant with Hillman’s scholarship in philosophy, poetry, and sacred texts, The Force of Character is a book that is sure to change—and affirm—the lives of all who read it.