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deepkiwireader's review
5.0
Brilliantly written book, advanced topics of biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, data science being well interpreted, anyone able to read should be able to get the message which is that....
Aging can be prevented and perhaps reversed. Far too long have we seen aging as an inevitable part of life, yet we allow medical interventions to prolonge life and willingly extend suffering. There is nothing natural about it, as the superior beings on this planet we have gained power over nature, we can prevent disease, bring people back from the dead, modifying our environment to benefit us - what part of this sounds natural? Where have we put the limit in terms of ethics? What do we consider as natural anymore?
That brings us to the point of this book which is that aging is a disease and we could prevent it, the science is promising and the natural world has no rules on it. This is an exciting field that everyone should be concerned about.
Many quotes stuck with me such as:
- "the fight against aging isn’t about ending death; it’s about prolonging healthy life and giving more people the chance to meet death on far better terms" - Sinclair explains with a real life example of how people wouldn't want to become old, being old is seen as unattractive, however, if they were to retain their age, they would want to live indefinitely. It brings to the point that death is inevitable but the diseases and suffering associated with aging doesn't have to be inevitable.
-"adults who get sick stop making money and contributing to society at the same time they start costing a whole lot to keep alive" - A case against the concept of retirement, allowing people to work until they choose when not to, enabling a sense of purpose after 65 - in all honesty it's a lot of wasted potential that could further advance society.
Aging can be prevented and perhaps reversed. Far too long have we seen aging as an inevitable part of life, yet we allow medical interventions to prolonge life and willingly extend suffering. There is nothing natural about it, as the superior beings on this planet we have gained power over nature, we can prevent disease, bring people back from the dead, modifying our environment to benefit us - what part of this sounds natural? Where have we put the limit in terms of ethics? What do we consider as natural anymore?
That brings us to the point of this book which is that aging is a disease and we could prevent it, the science is promising and the natural world has no rules on it. This is an exciting field that everyone should be concerned about.
Many quotes stuck with me such as:
- "the fight against aging isn’t about ending death; it’s about prolonging healthy life and giving more people the chance to meet death on far better terms" - Sinclair explains with a real life example of how people wouldn't want to become old, being old is seen as unattractive, however, if they were to retain their age, they would want to live indefinitely. It brings to the point that death is inevitable but the diseases and suffering associated with aging doesn't have to be inevitable.
-"adults who get sick stop making money and contributing to society at the same time they start costing a whole lot to keep alive" - A case against the concept of retirement, allowing people to work until they choose when not to, enabling a sense of purpose after 65 - in all honesty it's a lot of wasted potential that could further advance society.
the_herbal_carnivore's review
I feel I may be a bit too harsh, however, so much of what "science" teaches has been clearly disproven and I'm so over it. I tried to the book several times and I just couldn't "get into it." The author does share lots of info that's really accessible in many other ways than this book, and many of those ways are much more enjoyable.
danileighta's review
Super interesting read. My book club picked this one up, as member worked with Sinclair on this research. I think he comes off as a bit arrogant (he didn't cite my friend's research in the bibliography, just as an example) and the focus on a pill as the answer freaks me out only just a lot, but the science is explained very clearly and I appreciate the section dedicated to "okay, what can we do now to slow down the aging process".
Overall, I'd say read Part I, then skip ahead to the advice on what you can do now, but if you are really interested in the science-y bits, by all means, this is a book worth reading.
Overall, I'd say read Part I, then skip ahead to the advice on what you can do now, but if you are really interested in the science-y bits, by all means, this is a book worth reading.
adambatten's review
3.0
I could have been 4 stars, but I think the last couple chapters discussing the outcomes of long lifespans weren't very strong.
selina__gilbert__'s review against another edition
This was a total drag. One of my reading goals this year is to not force myself to finish books I’m not enjoying, so this is a DNF for me.
booksbikesnpoms's review
Felt there were other more relevant and reputable books out there to start with