Long for This World - The Strange Science of Immortality

“[A] searching and surprisingly witty look at the scientific odds against tomorrow.”

—Timothy Ferris

Jonathan Weiner—winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and one of the most distinguished popular science writers in America—examines “the strange science of immortality” in Long for This World. A fast-paced, sure-to-astonish scientific adventure from “one of our finest science journalists” (Jonah Lehrer), Weiner’s Long for This World addresses the ageless question, “Is there a secret to eternal youth?” And has it, at long last, been found?

The Science of Aging: Journey from ancient myths to the cutting-edge labs of modern gerontology, where scientists are unlocking the secrets of why our bodies decline. Cellular Biology Explored: An accessible look at the microscopic machinery that dictates our fate, from the energy-producing mitochondria to the "Garbage Catastrophe" that clutters our cells over time. Genetics of Aging: Discover the evolutionary reasons for our limited life span and meet the controversial figures who believe we can engineer our way to a longer future. Narrative Nonfiction: From a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, this is a masterfully told story of science, history, and humanity's oldest question, blending deep research with vivid, character-driven reporting.