The Promised Years

An acclaimed historian tells the story of how America invented the ideal of retirement we take for granted as a distinct phase of life: how did the years between work and true old age become a chance to reinvent ourselves one last time?

From our first paycheck, Americans are taught to begin saving for retirement. We look forward with fraught anticipation to the moment when the obligations of career and family have been fulfilled and we are free to lead the lives that feel most authentically ours. A vast industry cultivates this belief that, by age sixty-five, we ought to have earned a snowbirder’s condo in the sunbelt or cruises around the world or leisurely time on the golf course. But this notion is a peculiarly American phenomenon. How did we come to believe that retirement offers us the chance—or, indeed, imposes the necessity—of detaching ourselves from the adult lives we’ve led and starting anew?

Renowned historian Ernest Freeberg reveals how the closely held American ideal of a leisurely stage of life after sacrifice came to be. In the context of postwar prosperity, the combination of rapid industrialization and increased lifespans meant large numbers of middle-class Americans suddenly were leaving the workforce before infirmity required them to. In a culture that prioritizes productivity and has no tradition of reabsorbing elders into the nuclear family, this new period of obsolescence gave rise to a crisis of meaning for millions: who are we when we are no longer contributing value to society in the recognized forms of labor or child-rearing?

In The Promised Years, Freeberg takes us on an enlightening, entertaining, and poignant trip through the invention of retirement as we know it, from the eccentric early experiments in Florida retirement communities to the charlatanic heroes of the movement to establish pension funds, from the unlikely political alliance of Yippies and Gray Panthers in the 1970s to the new flourishing of the humanities in adult education programs even as conventional university educations narrow. With profound historical and human insight, Freeberg helps us understand the American ideal of retirement in a world where that dream feels increasingly out of reach for so many, and fraught even for those for whom it’s financially possible. In telling that story, The Promised Years helps us reopen the question: what do we want our lives to mean?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs