Ageless

The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old

By: Andrew Steele

Narrated by: Andrew Steele

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"A fascinating look at how scientists are working to help doctors treat the aging process itself, helping us all to lead longer, healthier lives.” (Sanjay Gupta, MD)

Aging - not cancer, not heart disease - is the underlying cause of most human death and suffering. The same cascade of biological changes that renders us wrinkled and gray also opens the door to dementia and disease. We work furiously to conquer each individual disease, but we never think to ask: Is aging itself necessary? Nature tells us it is not: There are tortoises and salamanders who are spry into old age and whose risk of dying is the same no matter how old they are, a phenomenon known as “biological immortality.” In Ageless, Andrew Steelecharts the astounding progress science has made in recent years to secure the same for humans: to help us become old without getting frail, to live longer without ill health or disease.

©2020 Andrew Steele (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“During medical school we were taught that aging is a natural process and that people can simply die of old age. The thinking was that age wasn’t just a turning of the clock but an accumulation of mutations, cancer, arthritis, heart disease and dementia. Have you ever wondered, however, if it was possible to address those diseases not just individually, but collectively, by addressing the underlying process of aging itself. Sound far fetched? Well, It’s this audacious way of thinking that propelled Andrew Steele to write Ageless. In this new book, Steele highlights therapies being developed to stymie aging, from rebooting the immune system to repairing DNA to removing senescent cells. This is a fascinating look at how scientists are working to help doctors treat not just one disease at a time, but the aging process itself, helping us all to lead longer, healthier lives.” (Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN)

“Writing with the vim of a Bill Bryson and the technical knowledge of a scientist, Steele gives us a chance to grasp what’s at stake in this dazzling, daunting age where big data meets human biology." (The Independent)

“An optimistic exploration of aging... A diligent scientist, Steele does not ignore flops and fads... Good science in service of a convincing case that vast life extension is inevitable.” (Kirkus)

better living through evidence

So much useful information about how to live longer in good health. I am inspired.

Well worth your time

If you have an interest in the biology of aging You will love this book. Dr. Steele is a talented writer, able to break complex processes into palatable bites for the lai reader. He leases his narrative with humor and short entertaining back stories. Additionally he is a superb narrator.

A very interesting listen

If you’re interested in why we age and possible treatments for aging, this is a wonderful book. It’s well read, has lots of interesting information, and is easy to understand. I think the author is a little optimistic about the time frame for anti aging treatments, but I hope I’m wrong there! I really enjoyed this book.

More General than Dr Sinclair's Book

At first, I thought this book would cover the same things as Dr Sinclair's book. There is some overlap, but I thought the books were different enough to warrant listening to both.

Excellent, albeit technically complex in parts

Very convincing arguments for increased and rapid funding for biogerontology. Technically thorough, yet with occasional, well placed touches of humour.

Great information about the aging process

good narrator. a complicated subject made clear. makes me want to follow the research studies.

Phenomenal

This isn’t a book that’s about hypothetical sci-fi but practices that are happening today that will effect all of human kind forever. It’s definitely though provoking

Excellent read, highly recommended

Steele has clearly done the leg work to compile such a wholistic overview of an otherwise very obscure field, complete with well thought out arguments for why it should be in the limelight.

Somewhat one-sided

A very good general
review but ignores how hormones speed up the hallmarks of aging

Very well researched summary

I enjoyed this summary on the biology of aging. I myself am a scientist and can attest to how difficult it can be to collect this broad array of information, historical context, and insight while presenting it in an organized, thoughtful, and engaging way. This book really shines a spotlight on a lot of research topics that I will be interested in following in the coming years.