The new biography by Washington Post Reporter David Von Drehle seems to be an organic idea from David’s meeting his 102 year old neighbor as the latter washed his car one morning. David’s study of Charlie White’s life focuses on how a man makes it to such an age with all his faculties and physical capacities still in place. In Charlie’s case, many of the anecdotes over his life span focus on his lens of seeing life’s challenges through a lens of comedy, joy and/or daring. Not only does the reader receive a beautifully told life story, Von Drehle, being a true reporter, gives one interesting facts about each time period of Charlie’s life, from the miraculous introduction of Ford’s Model T to radio to modern medicine. Besides his optimistic outlook, Charlie also possessed the intestinal fortitude to take action rather than accept defeat (though Von Drehle also chalks Charlie’s pragmatism up to his mother’s caring moral compass). A sub story that might be of interest to Sarasotans is the curating of some of the early Chautauqua programming completed by Charlie’s minister father. Best of all, this book is appropriate for seasoned readers to middle schoolers as The Book of Charlie looks back at less complicated times, yet gives great timeless advice for those of us still in the work world.

The Book of Charlie is available for pre-order at www.sarasotabooks.com or in store starting on May 23, 2023 at 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota.

The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle Publication Date May 2023. ISBN:  9781476773926.