Includes bibliographical references (p. [295]-305) and index.

A no-holds-barred, illuminating, and hopeful look at the choices and challenges baby-boomers face and the roads open to them. For many years Davidson was a successful journalist and screenwriter, but in her fifties her life came apart: she could no longer find work, she endured a break-up with her partner, and her children left for college. For the first time ever, she had nothing to do. She felt adrift--but found that she was not alone. Drawing on her own experience and that of others, she explores such questions as: How does a high-powered person learn to step down the ladder gracefully? How can women be sensual and not touch-deprived as the number of available partners dwindles? How can we arrange to grow old with our friends? What will be the fire at the center of our lives? Why are we still here?--From publisher description.