Immortality, Inc.

September 23, 2019
Readers will find out where humanity stands in the quest to prolong life and outwit aging in this easy-to-read, journalistic work from Walter (Last Ape Standing), a journalist, documentarian, and former CNN bureau chief. He opens by describing Alcor, an institution dedicated to preserving, and possibly one day resuscitating, the recently deceased. However, his focus is elsewhere—on the goal of avoiding death in the first place. Walter reveals an ongoing effort spearheaded by a group of Baby Boomer Silicon Valley entrepreneurs—Aubrey de Grey, Ray Kurzweil, Art Levinson, Larry Page, and J. Craig Venter, among others. Having arrived at a rejection of death’s inevitability via various paths—computing, medicine, and hard science—together they’ve embraced a view of aging as a disease, and thus as being curable, or even preventable. So far, not much definitive has come out of their efforts, Walter acknowledges, but vast resources have been poured into researching the diseases associated with aging, by looking at DNA, stem cells, and the microbiome. Not deeply technical, Walter’s study works best as an admiring, if sometimes amused, look at these idealistic, possibly overreaching visionaries. His fascinating account will interest those who want to know more about Silicon Valley’s rainmakers, as well as where science now stands on preventing and curing disease.

November 1, 2019
Defying death and the pursuit of perpetual youth have a distinct position in literature, history, and imagination. Think Ponce de Leon, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Shangri-La. It's no surprise, then, to learn that Silicon Valley has embraced extending life and "curing" aging as its newest Holy Grail. Readers are introduced to entrepreneurs, scientists, physicians, and investors who believe they can stymie senescence. Certain companies, notably Calico, are throwing lots of cash and man-hours into researching health and aging. Prominent players include Arthur Levinson (chairman of Apple, former CEO of Genentech, current CEO of Calico) and Larry Page (cofounder of Google, CEO of Alphabet). Bowhead whales can live for 215 years, and Greenland sharks may reach 500; the oldest recorded human lifespan is 122 years. Most centenarians profess no secret behind their longevity, which is likely due to fewer lousy genes and lots of luck. Is aging actually a curable condition? Walter's overview suggests that perhaps it's best to focus on healthier lifestyles and an improved environment to ensure better quality of life and maybe even a few extra years.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)