Steve Lopez grew up in a neighbourhood east of San Francisco, where his father drove a delivery truck. Graduating in journalism at San Jose State University, Steve Lopez began his writing career as a sportswriter in California and went on to spend over ten years as an award-winning columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Following that he spent a period with Time Magazine but can now be found contributing heavily to the Los Angeles Times.
'Steve Lopez has written a wise, witty and wonderful book on the question of retirement -- something I'll never do unless I'm forced to by the comedy authorities. However, unlike me, if you're considering it, READ THIS BOOK!' * Mel Brooks, actor, comedian, and filmmaker * 'Hugely entertaining and informative, personal and universal, fun and funny, wise and beautifully written, 'Independence Day' is essential reading for anyone contemplating -- or not contemplating -- retirement. It's about why we work and how we live and all that does and does not change as we age.' * Dr. Louise Aronson, geriatrician, author of NYT-bestselling book “Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist * 'Steve Lopez is insightful, ingenious, and often hilarious as he navigates one of life's biggest questions. Independence Day should be read by every boomer on the same path and wondering what comes next.' * Michael Connelly, New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Hours * 'I recommend this book to anybody. Not just a bunch of 67-year-olds.' * Duff McDonald, The Tickle Yourself Podcast: Retirement and the Present Moment * 'In Independence Day, Steve Lopez offers us a master class in decision making. To a brilliant storyteller like Steve, a dry list of pros and cons simply won't suffice. Instead his personal quest becomes a journey of wisdom and soul-searching for us all. This is not only a book for anyone contemplating retirement, it is a book for all of us seeking the courage to make a change with insight and grace.' * Rabbi Naomi Levy, author of Einstein and the Rabbi, founder of Nashuva * 'This is a work full of meaning for everyone measuring the days until they put down the tools of whatever trade they ply and walk off into the last quarter of life. It's proof that Steve Lopez should keep working because he's really good at what he does.' * Mike Barnicle, Morning Joe Contributor and former Boston Globe columnist * 'Steve Lopez is a national treasure. He tackles the question of retirement with the humility, wit and lacerating insight that long ago made him America's best newspaper columnist. This is a smorgasbord of characters, incidents, and ideas, charming, funny, and often quite moving. It will make you think. It is an essential guide for all of us in life's gun lap, deciding whether to speed up, slow down, or wander happily off the track to trace patterns in the clouds.' * Mark Bowden, contributing writer for The Atlantic, author of Black Hawk Down and Killing Pablo *