This timeless, courageous book shares the experiences, thoughts and emotions of a diverse population of people, most in their middle to elder years, who live solitary lives, by choice or situation. The author interviews people across the U.S., and includes his own life story, to understand why people chose to live in solitude or what led them to that point, and speculates what the future holds for them. The topics covered here are the tough ones, such as death, gender, spirituality, denial, cancer, lonliness, and authentic living. Interviewees are provided a safe space to reveal poignant and powerful histories and emotions that get at the root of what so many people fear, yet others crave: self-examined solitude. The book gave me insight into myself and into my familial desire for sometimes near-hermit lifestyles, and peace and inspiration for continuing my own solo introspective life. This is not a romantic version of solitude, but an honest assessment by the author and the interviewees of themselves, of live alone, and their expectations (if any) about life. A bibliography references quotations throughout the work. ( )