Overview

Anyone who has watched a wrinkle slowly gouge their face like a strip mine, or has been disturbed by a loss of memory, has uncomfortably confronted the human ageing process. The inexorable march of time on our bodies begs an important question: why do we have to grow old? Written in everyday language, The Clock of Ages takes us on a tour of the ageing human body - all from a research scientist's point of view. From the deliberate creation of organisms that live three times their natural span to the isolation of human genes that may allow us to do the same, The Clock of Ages also examines the latest discoveries in geriatric genetics. Sprinkled throughout the pages are descriptions of the aging of many historical figures, such as Florence Nightingale, Jane Austen, Bonaparte and Casanova. These stories underscore the common bond that unites us all: they aged, even as we do. The Clock of Ages tells you why.

Full Product Details

Author:   John J. Medina (University of Washington)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing)
ISBN:  

9780511585050

ISBN 10:   0511585055
Publication Date:   05 August 2012
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Undefined
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction; Part I. Who Ages?; Introduction; 1. A slippery overarching definition; 2. Humanizing ageing and death; 3. Why age at all?; Part II. How Do We Age?; Introduction; 4. How the skin and hair age; 5. The ageing of bones, muscles and joints; 6. The ageing of the brain; 7. How the heart ages; 8. The ageing of the lungs; 9. What happens to the digestion; 10. How the senses age; 11. The ageing of the reproductive system; Part III. Why Do We Age?; Introduction; 12. A tale of two theories; 13. Error accumulation; 14. Programmed death; 15. Winding back the clock; Conclusions; Further reading; Index.

Reviews

'This is simply a fantastic book ... the best biology book written for the lay public for many years.' Eric D. Albright, Library Journal '... a tour around the ageing human body, conducted with elegance and verve.' Susan Aldridge, Focus 'A tour of human ageing that aims to educate and entertain.' Nature 'An entertaining and edifying book with a cast of characters ...'. Roy Herbert, New Scientist '... an enjoyable as well as very informative book'. T. Franklin Williams, Journal of Urban Health '... this fascinating book takes us on a comprehensive tour of our ageing bodies, inside and out ... Clearly illustrated and very readable, the book approaches what is often a taboo subject with both humor and humanity.' The Good Book Guide

'This is simply a fantastic book ... the best biology book written for the lay public for many years.' Eric D. Albright, Library Journal '... a tour around the ageing human body, conducted with elegance and verve.' Susan Aldridge, Focus 'A tour of human ageing that aims to educate and entertain.' Nature 'An entertaining and edifying book with a cast of characters ...'. Roy Herbert, New Scientist '... an enjoyable as well as very informative book'. T. Franklin Williams, Journal of Urban Health '... this fascinating book takes us on a comprehensive tour of our ageing bodies, inside and out ... Clearly illustrated and very readable, the book approaches what is often a taboo subject with both humor and humanity.' The Good Book Guide

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