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John Caldwell Holt
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Never Too Late: My Musical Life Story Paperback – September 12, 1991

by John Holt (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 55 ratings
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"If I could learn to play the cello well, as I thought I could, I could show by my own example that we all have greater powers than we think; that whatever we want to learn or learn to do, we probably can learn; that our lives and our possibilities are not determined and fixed by what happened to us when we were little, or by what experts say we can or cannot do."




Best known for his brilliant insight into the way children learn, John Holt was also an intrepid explorer of adult learning. At the age of forty, with no particular musical background, he took up the cello. His touching and hilarious account of his passionate second career demolished the myth that one must start an instrument (or a sport, or a language) in early childhood, and will inspire any reader who dreams of taking up a new skill.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 12, 1991
  4. Dimensions
    8.51 x 5.68 x 0.61 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0201567636
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0201567632
  7. Lexile measure
    1090L
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Best known for his brilliant insight into the way children learn, John Holt was also an intrepid explorer of adult learning. At the age of forty, with no particular musical background, he took up the cello. His touching and hilarious account of his passionate second career demolished the myth that one must start an instrument (or a sport, or a language) in early childhood, and will inspire any reader who dreams of taking up a new skill.

About the Author

John Holt (1927-1985), one of this country's leading educational and social critics, was the author of ten influential books which have been translated into fourteen languages. Known both as a passionate reformer and as "the gentle voice of reason" (Life magazine), John Holt offers insights into the nature of learning that are more relevant today than ever before.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo; Reprint edition (September 12, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0201567636
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0201567632
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1090L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.51 x 5.68 x 0.61 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

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John Caldwell Holt

John Caldwell Holt

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
55 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspirational, with one noting it provides great life lessons on music journeys. Moreover, the literary content receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as well-written. Additionally, the book's value for money is appreciated, with one customer highlighting its emphasis on hard work. However, the narrative style receives mixed reactions, with one customer finding it overly personal.

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14 customers mention "Inspiration"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, describing it as a life-changing and timeless encouragement. One customer notes how the stories provide enormous inspiration, while another mentions it offers great life lessons on the music journey.

"...This book is refreshingly honest and humble. Older people considering starting an instrument might enjoy this book. I did." Read more

"...But, I was wrong. This is a timeless tale about following one's star no matter what your age, finding ways to overcome obstacles and using your..." Read more

"...Ultimately the stories did provide enormous inspiration and experiences I could deeply identify with. Very genuine and thoughtful. Highly recommend." Read more

"Interesting read that restored my faith in the passion for music and the value of working hard and putting yourself out there." Read more

5 customers mention "Literary content"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one customer noting it is well-written.

"...It isn't literary and doesn't appear to have been proofread...." Read more

"...I won't take anything away from his writing, as it was well-written and certainly keeps your interest...." Read more

"...Interesting memoirs with overlay of adult education. Great read...." Read more

"If you played or taught earlier in your life this is a good read. Some good philosophy here you might want to think about.." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be worth the money, with one customer highlighting the value of working hard.

"...read that restored my faith in the passion for music and the value of working hard and putting yourself out there." Read more

"What a fabulous book, especially for late blooming musicians in their 40s-60s. It really IS never too late...." Read more

"I loved this book. I've read it many times and I continue to be inspired by the wisdom Mr. Holt has left with us...." Read more

"A worthy effort, but........" Read more

4 customers mention "Narrative quality"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the narrative quality of the book negative, with one customer noting that the story never really got off the ground, while another mentions that it is rather dated.

"...Like music, it is not a narrative, but an enveloppe to be trusted." Read more

"...fully 200 pages too long and crammed with very personal and entirely useless stories of the author's own musical journey...." Read more

"...On the other hand, the story never really got off the ground. Perhaps this is because he never quite reached a goal...." Read more

"...The context in which the story is told is rather dated, there are few music-related gems to be found and it is hard to empathize with the author's..." Read more

3 customers mention "Narrative style"0 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the narrative style of the book.

"...book review, at 233 pages it is fully 200 pages too long and crammed with very personal and entirely useless stories of the author's own musical..." Read more

"...Much of the book is biographical and is disappointing because the author really is not much of a musician...." Read more

"...Really just an everyday memoir with few interesting highlights...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • hedgesd
    5.0 out of 5 stars Learning is more fun
    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Holt is one of the great voices in education. In this book, he isn't advising teachers, he is both teacher and student. The bio-feedback he experiences through his relationship with the cello is an inspiration to anyone who wants to produce, not just consume, music. His attention to detail imparts his childlike genius to the reader. You don't have to pick it up in a single reading. Left on the table, you will reread pages or flip through to find new perspectives. Like music, it is not a narrative, but an enveloppe to be trusted.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Rebecca Richardson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read for Adult Beginners
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is an inspirational book for adult beginners. It refutes the notion that adults can't learn to play an instrument. It isn't literary and doesn't appear to have been proofread. The beginning of the book makes it quite clear that the author appears to have spent an unhealthy amount of time living in his own head; his long-winded descriptions of teaching himself to whistle made him seem like someone who needed to engage with the world outside his head more. But as the book progresses we see that learning the cello helped him to do exactly that. This book is refreshingly honest and humble. Older people considering starting an instrument might enjoy this book. I did.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • rebecca drouilhet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless encouragement
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book was written in the 1970s and covers a time period considerably before that. At first I was put off by feeling of an age gone past, thinking the book would not be relevant for me. But, I was wrong. This is a timeless tale about following one's star no matter what your age, finding ways to overcome obstacles and using your gifts for the larger good. I would highly recommend it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mark Heckler
    3.0 out of 5 stars A worthy effort, but.....
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased the Kindle version of this book, and I have wasted far more on far worse. Having tried and failed five times to learn guitar I suppose I was hoping for a magic bullet of inspiration to guide me one final time. Peavey has come out with an innovative instrument called the Power Slide, which is a very cool upright lap steel guitar at an incredibly affordable price, and I am very close to pulling the trigger. But at age 62 I fully realize this will be my last attempt at learning to play a musical instrument. Getting back to the book review, at 233 pages it is fully 200 pages too long and crammed with very personal and entirely useless stories of the author's own musical journey. That said, I believe I can cull back through it and cut and paste a concise motivational guide for "over the hill" music lovers trying to learn how to make their own music. And undoubtedly the second and perhaps even third time through it I will notice useful tidbits I missed my first time through. A final comment and caveat: this tome is poorly edited and contains an unacceptable numbers of typos and words that should be separated by spaces but aren't. If that won't particularly bother you, go for it!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • J. Silver
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not Happy
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    This book really did not meet my expectations. The author, an educator actually gave very little insight into his learning of the cello as an older adult. Much of the book is biographical and is disappointing because the author really is not much of a musician. He really had very little musical background. It is confusing because one moment he is talking of his proficiency playing difficult pieces and the next it is clear that he is having trouble with the basics of reading music or understanding music theory.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • LovetoLearn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Genuine thoughtful and inspirational for adults learning musical instrument
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderfully inspirational story and great life lessons on your music journey. I did find the first half of the book a bit slow so I admit to eventually skipping a few chapters in the middle since it had too much story telling that seemed irrelevant to music (and i was looking for inspiration withy return to piano as an adult) . Ultimately the stories did provide enormous inspiration and experiences I could deeply identify with. Very genuine and thoughtful. Highly recommend.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • S. A. Gibbs
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read for those who dream of being a musician.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting read that restored my faith in the passion for music and the value of working hard and putting yourself out there.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dagny Taggart
    5.0 out of 5 stars He's right, it isn't too late
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I started violin lessons at 58 and am thoroughly enjoying it. Some days I'm good, other days I'm not so good - but his book has inspired me to quit kicking myself when I can't get fingering right or am out of tune. Whether you're young or old, this is a great book to read to keep you on track with whatever difficult project you may be working on. If your heart is in it-you can do it. Thanks!
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • D. Aguero
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un excellent livre, à posséder si vous êtes un musicien débutant adulte
    Reviewed in France on October 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Je viens de finir de lire ce midi, pendant la pause, le livre de John Holt "Never too late" (1979, en anglais des Etats-Unis). Décédé prématurement d'un cancer à 62 ans, alors qu'il avait plein d'énergie et de projets dans cette musique qui lui passionnait, sa voix résonne dans ma tête. Il a vraiment parcouru un chemin formidable, il m'a fait réfléchir, émouvoir, rire, sourire... trois décennies après son decès.

    Je pense à son violoncelle de luthier qu'il s'est fait construire; il doit se sentir très seul. Je pense à tous ces amis avec lesquels il partageait sa passion, je pense à ce fauteuil vide dans l'orchestre qu'il aimait mais qu'il n'arrivait pas à suivre, comme moi.

    Cela m'a fait du bien. Ce soir j'ai un peu travaillé ma musique, pas trop car je suis très pris par mon travail, mais que n'ai pas manqué le rendez-vous.

    Je recommande ce livre de tout mon coeur. Si vous êtes débutant adulte comme moi, et si l'anglais ne vous pose pas de problème, achetez ce livre. Il restera pour toujours dans votre bibliothèque.
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  • Rakesh R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on January 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent
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  • Jenny G Heimerdinger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly joyful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderfully helpful and companionably inspiring book for the adult learner of or returner to a musical instrument. I was familiar with this author from his books on the reasons for failure and success of children in education, and much encouraged by his advice to teach children at home rather than have them suffer a counter-productive school system. His careful attention to the learning process as he takes up a muscial instrument is as much in evidence here, with a refreshing and joyful freedom from the conventional restraints of educational philosophy.
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  • Kent miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful account of a man developing a life long love ...
    Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful account of a man developing a life long love of music from his earliest years then taking up an instrument and pursuing his own musical development for several decades. Holt writes about his own learning process but speaks to all of us as he tentatively plays the first notes on the cello to joining amateur groups and attending summer music camps. As the father of home schooling he speaks to the condition in all of us to follow our passions and develop our skills throughout our life and to view learning as a continual journey that has no end game.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An inspiring story of learning to play music in mid-life when most adults consider they have waited too long.
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