Steve's Reviews > Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity

My primary care physician mentioned this book at my most recent physical a few months ago. An acquaintance, a retired pathologist, then lent me a hardcover volume. I succumbed to the influence of professional suggestion.

Now at sixty years of age and in good general health, I feel I have accumulated a fairly strong sense of what constitutes a life well lived. Those essential elements are to: eat a sound, balanced diet in moderation, avoiding alcohol, processed foods, tobacco, and recreational drugs; exercise regularly, incorporating cardio, weight, and flexibility training; avoid risky activities and behaviors; engage the mind; seek self-awareness; get regular medical checkups; and participate in a vibrant, lasting community. This effort did nothing to further my preexisting beliefs, although the authors did provide an update on recent research data and medical technology that may be of interest to readers.

Naturally, I’m led to wonder why my current lifestyle lies so far from those basic objectives. Laziness is one word that comes to mind; it’s hard to be on my game day after day. Another is our culture. If a loved one or close friends enjoy baking, and I’m addicted to refined carbohydrates, then guess what – I will eat plenty of cookies, muffins, and cake. And no, I’m not going to draw a line for one simple reason, I’m tired. I just want to get by without a whole lot of fuss, no crowded gyms, no packed swim lanes, no bespoke dietary arrangements, no sore joints – and how about the road rage inflicted on bicyclists even in the pre-dawn hours. If the result is a dad bod, then c’est la vie. I’ll do enough to experience a measure of health, but not much more. Will I live to regret my choices? Since longevity has eluded my ancestors, yes, I will likely have second thoughts eventually.

As for this work, the writing gnawed at me. The book is a mess of a personal journey significantly affected, perhaps even tormented, with elitism and hyper-competitiveness, then combined with reflections on the management of four medical conditions: metabolic dysfunction, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurogenerative disease. In sum, it’s poorly constructed and executed. To cite one irritant, there’s no escape from superlatives, beginning with the dustcover, which leads with “#1 New York Times Bestseller.” Even with the assistance of a professional second, Mr. Gifford, the pages turned uneasily. Best to focus on the medical science or the personal struggles, but not mix the two, I think.