Ratings3
Average rating4.3
I'm uncertain how to rate this book. On the one hand, it's well written and brings us up to date (in considerable detail!) on the science of aging: what's happening in our bodies as we age, what could be done about it, and what is the current state of research on these methods (in 2020). It also points out usefully that to delay aging (extending youth) would be very valuable in terms of health, because much ill health is age-related, so extending youth much improves general health.
On the other hand, it doesn't tell you anything that will be of much use in extending your own youth. Chapter 10 has practical recommendations, yes, but they're recommendations that most people will already be familiar with, if they have any interest in the subject: don't smoke, don't eat too much, exercise, get enough sleep, get vaccinated, wash your hands, clean your teeth thoroughly (apparently this affects general health!), avoid sunburn.
The high level of technical detail in some chapters of the book gives it credibility, but it's overkill for me and probably for many other general readers who aren't scientists. I resorted to skimming to get through this stuff; it would be indigestible if I tried to read every word of it.
In the end, I value the book because I simply didn't know that science had advanced this far, so that practical techniques for youth extension should become available in the short to medium term: within this century, I suppose.
Also, I was fascinated to read that some techniques could not just slow the process of aging, but reverse it: restoring youth. This would enable anyone to benefit who was not actually dead at the time of treatment.