Coming of Age in Retirement
An Advertising Executive’s Story of Enlightenment and Revelation
From Tom Marks, Best-Selling Author, Literary Titan, and Best Non-Fiction Book Award Winner.
A masterpiece that takes a close look at the history of retirement including its
oddities, retirement communities and HOAs, how the advertising industry
completely distorted our perceptions of retirement, and Tom’s personal struggles with transitioning into retirement after working more than 180,000 hours. Marks, who is one of America’s finest authors, a literary titan, and thought leader has turned his attention to the retirement industry as no one, and we repeat, no one, has ever written about. His now famous Encounters in Retirement is the new
benchmark by which all retirees and prospective retirees should view their lives with a little Buddhism tossed in for good measure.
“A MASTERPIECE”
“AN OUTSTANDING BOOK”
“FASCINATING AND ENTERTAINING”
“HALL-OF-FAME WORTHY”
“IT AMAZES”
“TOM’S KNOWLEDGE IS PRICELESS”
“ELEGANT AND SCHOLARLY”
“BOLD, WITTY AND HILARIOUS”
Chapters
Part One:
OUR PERCEPTIONS OF RETIREMENT ARE NOT OUR OWN
1. An Extremely Brief History of Retirement from the Perspective of an Ad Man Who Doesn’t Know Much About Retirement
2. Ad Agencies, Ageism, and the Irony They Can’t Live Down
3. The Great Escape (that’s the movie), Reimagined for Retirement
4. Del Webb Finds His Home in the Sun
5. Each One of Us Needs Our Own Definition of Retirement
6. Del Webb Spins It Right
Part Two:
MY PERCEPTIONS OF RETIREMENT ARE GETTING CLOSE TO BEING MY OWN
7. I Was Born to Retire
8. The First Mistake: Senior HOAs
9. The Second Mistake: The Hamster Wheel Syndrome
10. The Third Mistake: Misery Loves Company, Assuming
You’re the Company
11. When in Doubt, Try the Therapist Route
12. The Last Thing You Need Is a Plan, Man
13. Do Yourself a Kindness
14. The Birthright of Retirement: A Do-over for the Over-the-Hill
15. If You Make One Friend in Retirement, Make It The Buddha
BIO
Tom Marks is the founder of TMA+Peritus a nationally recognized marketing,thought leadership, and corporate ethics firm. Tom has been honored by Success.com and Upcity for being one of the leading advertising agency CEOs in the industry. He is a frequent guest on many business podcasts that have been delivered to 80 different countries. Although Tom achieved great success in the advertising industry, he failed quite remarkably in the retirement world.
Tom Marks survived 48 years in the advertising business and has lived to write about it. He’s the bestselling author of the number one new business book in America, The Second-Best Business Book Ever Written: The Pursuit of
Thought Leadership in Sales, Marketing, and Life published by Inc Magazine which was one of only eight books published by the magazine in 2024 after receiving 5,000 submissions. Marks has won the Gold Medal for Best
Nonfiction Book from the Nonfiction Writers Association, three International Impact Book Awards, the POTY Award, two Literary Titan Awards, the Reader Views Award, and two American Book Fest Awards for best business book. Tom and the TMA+Peritus team are the recipients of more than 65 American Advertising Awards for their marketing, digital, and thought leadership efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a way to purchase books directly at a discount for larger quantities?
Yes. Several organizations from retirement communities to therapists, and from universities to retirement organizations are purchasing books directly at a discount. For quantities of 25 books or more, please contact us directly and we’ll will quote you a discounted rate based on the quantity and the shipping costs.
Can I order multiple copies of Tom’s book and send them to different locations?
Yes. The shopping cart will allow you to do that. However, please remember that with larger and bulk direct orders, only one shipping address is permitted. If your bulk orders require more than one shipping address, please use the contact form to send us a message and we’d be delighted to estimate the shipping charges for multiple locations based on quantities, weight of the package, and final shipping destination
Do you offer refunds on orders placed for Tom’s bestselling book?
We do not offer refunds, but we will send you a new book if you do not receive your order within 30 days of order placement, or if you receive the book in damaged condition. Because we need to show the delivery service the damaged goods, please attach a photo of the book you received in the contact form on this website.
Does Tom do book signing events and speeches?
Yes, but his availability is limited. After decades on the professional speaking circuit, Tom is an audience favorite, but he no longer gives speeches. Many speakers, Tom included, are now scheduling what the industry calls “fireside chats” even though there’s no fireside. These chats are interviews between Tom and a moderator followed by audience questions and answers. Most of these events are followed by book signings, although book signings can also be scheduled without chats.
Is there an audiobook in the works?
Not at this time, but Tom is not opposed to the idea as long as he’s not voicing the audio.
Is Tom planning on writing another book?
He’s thinking about it as long as he hasn’t lost all of his marbles.
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