Late Bloomers

Late Bloomers applauds seventy-five individuals whose greatest achievements occurred or were recognized later in their lives. The people profiled have come from different countries and diverse social backgrounds, yet all have one thing in common: They refused to give up their dreams just because they were no longer young, and thus managed to make the second half of their lives rich and fulfilling for themselves and for others.

In sparkling profiles written by veteran New Yorker contributor Brendan Gill, the stories of these resilient people unfold. Some, such as Raymond Kroc (the founder of McDonalds) and Harry Truman changed careers relatively late in life. Others, such as botanist George Washington Carver, worked for years in their profession, finding recognition only later. Many of those profiled, including Julia Child and Gertrude Jekyll, didn't even begin producing their life's work until middle age.

At once timely and timeless, Late Bloomers is an inspiration for everyone who wants to believe that it's never too late.

Publishers Weekly

Gill (Here at the New Yorker), a staff writer at the New Yorker since 1936, defines late bloomers as "people who at whatever cost and whatever circumstances have succeeded in finding themselves." This loose definition gives him license to include anyone he pleases in these one-page biographical sketches of 75 achievers in various fields. Authors Karen Blixen (1885-1962) and Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) are profiled because they pursued other occupations before they began writing, while Grandma Moses, who started painting in her late 70s, and Harriet Doerr, who published a first novel (The Stones of Ibarra) in late middle age, fit the traditional definition of a late bloomer. Other choices, such as Ruth Gordon, who began acting in her 20s and Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun since the age of 18, are clearly a matter of Gill's personal whim. Although this compilation is a pleasant read, the information given on each person is so sketchy, its use will be primarily as a browsing item. Photos. (May)

Brendan Gill (1914-1997), an author and critic, wrote for The New Yorker for more than sixty years, contributing innumerable short stories, poems, profiles, and reviews. He wrote some fifteen books, including his memoir, Here at The New Yorker, which was a national bestseller. Gill chaired the board of directors of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.