Outlive

The Science and Art of Longevity

by ,

English language

Published March 27, 2023 by Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale.

ISBN:
9780593236598

View on OpenLibrary

5 stars (4 reviews)

A groundbreaking manifesto on living better and longer that challenges the conventional medical thinking on aging and reveals a new approach to preventing chronic disease and extending long-term health, from a visionary physician and leading longevity expert.

“One of the most important books you’ll ever read.”—Steven D. Levitt, New York Times bestselling author of Freakonomics

Wouldn’t you like to live longer? And better? In this operating manual for longevity, Dr. Peter Attia draws on the latest science to deliver innovative nutritional interventions, techniques for optimizing exercise and sleep, and tools for addressing emotional and mental health.

For all its successes, mainstream medicine has failed to make much progress against the diseases of aging that kill most people: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes. Too often, it intervenes with treatments too late to help, prolonging lifespan at the expense of healthspan, or quality of life. Dr. Attia believes …

4 editions

reviewed Outlive by Peter Attia

Stark

4 stars

I agree with another review here that this book should have a different title / tagline. I would not have picked it up except it was recommended to me.

A high level review of why we should be interested in our healthspan, not our lifespan. Plenty of "common sense but commonly ignored" things that you should consider, the earlier the better.

We should not expect to abuse and fail to maintain our bodies for 40 years and then rely on medicine to "fix" it.

I found this more useful than most self-help books - it aims to challenge and change your mindset.

Every time I read a book with a US centric viewpoint which mentions the yearly MOT people have with their MD, I wonder why we don't have that here.

reviewed Outlive by Peter Attia

Important, valuable, useful book ... should have a different title

5 stars

When this book was recommended to me I was put off by the title. The author clears it up in the first chapter: the goal is to live as well as possible, not long as possible. Most people who live into their 70s, 80s or beyond have what he calls "a marginal" decade when their health, strengths, and mental focus decline. But -- unless you are unlucky genetically or from some trauma -- it does not have to be marginal at all. You do have to take responsibility for your health at your current age and "bank reserves" to utilize in your old age. Reserves of muscle, aerobic fitness, neurological pathways and social connections (in real life not online).

I think everyone should read this book, the younger the better

reviewed Outlive by Peter Attia

Tip Top Primer

4 stars

It is a primer for the subject matter, but a very good one. If you are starting off reading about modern longevity studies I'd have a tough time recommending anything else more.

Will it motivate you to put the info into action? That's on you. But if you are not the type to be easily motivated to make some simple changes to temporarily evade merging with the infinite...then probably not. Maybe instead think of it like this: it might give you a better probability of reading an obit for someone you weren't fond of.

reviewed Outlive by Peter Attia

Really useful, actionable, and perspective-shifting

5 stars

This book should pass the test of time, even if some of the specific treatments, routines and advice will likely be outdated in 5-20 years. The goal to live (and the methods to achieve) a rich and active life that you can enjoy in your 80s and 90s is something that most health books don't even consider.

The chapter about Peter's mental health made the book stand out amongst similar "here's how to be healthy" books.