Book excerpt: Do you know someone turning the Big 40? Are you approaching the age yourself and worried about being “over the hill”? Are you looking for the perfect birthday gift? Featuring everything you wanted to know about your 40s—and a few things you probably didn’t—The Big 40! offers a chance to reflect on past accomplishments, look ahead to future successes, and completely freak out—all at the same time. Use it to find out how you stack up against other 40somethings, or adapt it into the ultimate trivia party game. For instance, did you know that turning 40 means you are now older than 58% of America, and that you’ve lost 10% of your muscle mass in the last decade? And that almost 90% of 40-year-olds are in debt? But don’t despair—at 40, Lucille Ball’s television career was just beginning, Gandhi’s plan for civil disobedience was just an outline, and John Glenn’s career was about to go into orbit. Chances are you own a home (71%), you feel you’re in good or excellent health (87%), and you are happy (51%). About 91% of women and 88% of men have been married, 82% have children, and, best of all, you’re still gettin’ it on—1.8 times a week. These are but a few of the factoids, demographic stats, quotes, biographical sketches, and sage and not-so-sage observations in this illustrated celebration of this landmark birthday and the decade that follows. Do not panic! The Big 40 could possibly be the best age ever. From the Hardcover edition.