In the summer of 2012, Brooks overheard a conversation between a husband and wife while on a plane. The man felt unwanted and no longer useful, and said he’d be better off dead. The couple sat behind Brooks, who didn’t see them until they disembarked. He was surprised when the man turned out to be quite famous, a hero for something he’d done in his younger days. At the time of the plane trip, he was about 85 and still highly respected. The pilot recognized the man, and told him he’d long admired him.

Brooks was incredulous that this esteemed, accomplished man had such feelings. At the time, Brooks was nearing 50 and had enjoyed a rather successful professional life, attaining his goals. He writes: “I had gotten my heart’s desire, at least as I imagined it, but it didn’t bring the joy I envisioned” (xiii). His success took all his time and energy, and he feared not being able to maintain it—whether or not it brought satisfaction. He worried about ending up like the man on the plane. Through research and interviews, he learned all he could about the decline of people who strove all their life for success. Overcoming the negative feelings associated with decline requires transformation and looking at success in a new light, but it leads to greater happiness and meaning.