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It would be great if we could all retire with a nice portfolio of savings and pension income, without having to worry about paying the bills most retired people pay.

Yet...many retirees are living out their retirement on the breadline without much hope for even going on holiday without being assisted by relatives or even handouts. Don't let yourself be one of them...it's never too late!

Title : General Washington's Christmas Farewell: A Mount Vernon Homecoming, 1783
Author : Stanley Weintraub
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : It takes chaos to invent a new order

Let's start on a personal note: I was in Cuba in January 1959, when the brutal dictator Fulgencio Batista fled in the middle of the night and Fidel Castro began making his way across the country to Havana.

The Cuban celebrations of the collapse of tyranny and terror were much like the events described in this book, a continuing rum-fueled celebration that lasted days and days in a nation at last free after years of terror. Castro made a triumphal procession across the country as a godlike liberator, just as Washington was hailed as the greatest man of his times. It is nice to celebrate the end of a war -- think of George Bush strutting across the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, wearing a borrowed flight suit with the banner 'Mission Accomplished' in the background. But, freedom is much more; it generates an ecstasy that stirs every emotion the heart, not merely the limited glory of victory, but also an unbounded hope for a better and brighter future without fear, fright or futility.

Washington, with a knowledge and wisdom rare among revolutionary leaders, went back to his farm. The ultimate tribute came from King George III, who personally knew something about the temptations and dangers of power, when he said that if Washington actually did return to his farm "he will be the greatest man in the world."

Think of Cuba today had Castro retired to a little rancho and learned how to cut cane instead of crushing gusanos. In Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide should have gone back to the priesthood after he tossed out the Duvalier regime. The list of "liberators" who seize power and try to impose their own rules is almost universal; Washington patterned his retirement after the Roman hero Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus "who, victorious, left the tented field, covered with honor, and withdrew from public life, to enjoy civium cum dignitate."

Unlike Cincinnatus, who was twice recalled from his farm to become dictator, Washington was recalled from his farm only to establish an enduring legacy of democracy. It is a rare quality. Weintraub describes those perilous times with painful detail.

Painful? It was a time of chaos in America, much to the satisfaction of the English who thought the independent colonies would collapse of internal confusion. Congress was even flakier then than now. A third of Americans were loyalists who had supported King George; Washington understood the power of reconciliation rather than the retribution of describing anyone who had not supported him as an enemy.

In 1783, Washington kept urging greater power for the central government. He could have become dictator and imposed his own regal solution; instead, he stepped back and let the people and Congress, however slow in their many imperfections, gradually work out the system that now exists. Everyone was slow to listen, waiting until 1787 to even begin writing a new Constitution. But, after trying all other solutions, they finally listened to Washington. The old boy may have had wooden (or ivory) teeth, but there was no wood between his ears.

Weintraub has written a masterful book outlining the chaos, confusion and cupidity of the time; explaining how from the primordial soup of American independence a resolute democracy emerged. This book helps explain the resolute independence of the American spirit, nicely summed up by a departing British officer, "These Americans are a curious, original people; they know how to govern themselves, but nobody else can govern them."

It was a wonderful tribute to an exceptional people, and this book nicely explains the mood of the times.

Title : Live Well in Ireland: How to Relocate, Retire and Increase Your Standard of Living
Author : Steenie Harvey
Rating : 1 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Only for Americans!

I bought this book for my English mother in law who was moving to Ireland but was very disappointed that it failed to address the main issues she faced as a pensioner moving to Ireland.
My main criticism is that it is written soley for the American market and compares living in Ireland with living in America. Secondly it was published prior to Irelands conversion to the Euro so prices are meaningless to the newcomer unfamiliar with the old Irish punts currency.
Thirdly it only touches on the social welfare system (which as a pensioner my mother in law was interested in).
Having lived in Ireland for several years I find the Ireland described in the book is quite far removed from the reality of my life in Ireland.
In my opinion this book does not serve as a useful tool to anyone considering relocating to Ireland and they would be far better served contacting either their National Embassy in Ireland or a local Citizens Information Centre situated in all major towns and cities throughout the country.
If you are American, can convert from punts to Euro and are not considering availing of any form of social welfare, then this book could be useful. If you do not fit these criteria, forget it.

Title : The Old Fool's Retirement Guide
Author : Rob Davies
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Invaluable advice for not much money.

Unfortunately, the majority of people in the UK are rather ignorant of matters financial. As a Nation we are more than happy to delegate the management of our finances to so called "experts":- Financial advisers, pension consultants, Banks, Stock Brokers etc. etc. The big problem with this approach is the inescapable fact that all these middlemen take a big slice out of the individuals hard earned money in fees thereby reducing substancially the overall returns that are possible.

The antidote to this is to adopt the "Pick your own Strawberries" approach to your finances. In the same way that you can get lots of lovely strawberries for less money by picking them direct from the field yourself, (cutting out the middlemen!) you can, with a little time and effort adopt the same principles with your finances.

The Motley Fool series of books are the best I have yet come across to help the would be "Financial do it yourself'er". The OLD FOOLS RETIREMENT GUIDE is the latest in the series and is packed with invaluable information as to how to plan for your financial future. It is written in a concise easily digestible format and conveys it's very relevant points with humour and honesty. Pensions and investments need not be complicated as the City types would have you believe. This book blows a hole in the pomposity that surrounds finance and pensions. A great little read.

Title : The New Golden Door to Retirement Living in Costa Rica
Author : Christopher Howard
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : "This Books is my Right Hand"

This book is my Right Hand, as manager of the Residents Association of Costa Rica (ARCR), I have found that newcomers sometimes seem to know more about Costa Rica than people living here just because they read this excellent book.

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