Live Forever?: A Curious Scientist's Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death

by John S. Tregoning

Time wants you dead. Not just you, but your friends, family, pets – everyone you’ve ever met…

'A beautifully written book about life and busts myths, explores the stories of science and history, and ultimately is rich and uplifting.' Dr Adam Rutherford

With over 17,000 known diseases affecting humans, and countless poisons, carcinogens and toxins in our environment, it’s a miracle that our bodies manage to keep us alive. And that is, of course, if they don’t betray us themselves, whether through cancers or autoimmune conditions.

Biomedical researcher Professor John Tregoning tells the unlikely story of how, against all odds, we manage to stay alive. Taking an organ-by-organ tour of the human body, Tregoning embarks on his own experimental quest, testing 'life-extending' diets and exercise regimes to separate fact from fad. Exploring the multitude of ways our bodies can kill us, from inherited genetic conditions, through heart attacks, arrythmias and angina, onto the delicate workings of the brain, Live Forever? offers compelling insight into how our bodies work, how we can best look after them – and ultimately live longer, healthier lives.

***

'I heartily recommend this deep dive into wellness... It turns out that none of us are getting out of here alive, but John has bravely put his mind and body on the line to discover the secrets of staying healthy and happy as we get older. A funny, fascinating and educative book.' Ben Willbond, co-creator of Ghosts

'The idea that a book about death and dying could be a delightful read seems ridiculous, and yet John Tregoning has pulled off this trick with humour, flair and elegance.' Nessa Carey, author of The Epigenetics Revolution

'An enjoyable and entertaining mixture of scientific facts about ageing and completely unscientific self-experimentation... recognizing that although none of us will live forever, there are ways we can improve our chances of living well while we are still around.' Dame Sarah Gilbert

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Science

432 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Prof John Tregoning is the author of Live Forever? The Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Disease and Ageing (Oneworld); in which he explores ageing and what we can do about it. He previously published Infectious: Pathogens and how we fight them (Oneworld) which describes the history and science of infectious disease. John is currently Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Imperial College London, where he has studied the immune responses to vaccination and respiratory infection for more than 25 years. John has written 85 scientific articles and numerous articles on scientific careers including a weekly COVID diary in Nature. He appeared on the Royal Institution Christmas lectures and BBC Radio 4.

Reviews

[Cara Swain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-written summary of how the human body works - that’s about it for me. Why three stars? I must admit to being a little disappointed in it, but I think that is because I had higher expectations. As a doctor myself I really must stop reading popular culture books about the human body and medicine and expecting to learn something new. At least the science in this one was accurate, although it did highlight how much biochemistry/physiology/pharmacology/other basic science principles I have forgotten or eschewed since my last round of exams.
I think this book is probably excellent reading and sufficiently witty for those with a “science curious” mind, rather than a medical professional. The author describes the science clearly without dumbing it down, and inserts anecdotes to keep the reader interested - although I must admit to finding the incessant use of footnotes to provide his internal monologue quite irritating by the end.
Summary: not bad at all, just not for me.

[James Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

John S. Tregoning is such a fun, good writer that almost anything he writes is enjoyable. It's clear that he always does extensive research and conveys tons of information accessibly and with humour. I greatly admire his capacity to convey fundamental information to a satisfying extent and still make it clear that what he says is barely the tip of the iceberg. It creates an enticing space for curiosity and further exploration as a reader, probably one of the best results a popular science book can aim to.

The book itself is good. It's very bare-bones fundamentalist, with little exploration even into relatively well established niche features of health. The book tours through the "critical" organs in the body in terms of causes of death, and gives you the rundown on what's up with each. At times I did find myself wishing there was slightly more nuance to the information - for example the role of muscle mass in health was more or less reduced to "frail people fall more". Whilst keeping the information focused is good for length and digestibility, perhaps a bit more refinement and detail would've been desireable in some parts.

Much of the fundamentalism is rooted in the questionability of health science and studies. The goal of the book is clearly to hammer in the idea that all organs and health features are interconnected, so a few small remedies can't in isolation stave off ageing. By exploring this side, the book also helps develop ones intuition and baseline understanding of truth in this context.

If you're looking for a guide on how to live a healthy life, this is probably not the book for you. If you're looking for a very entertaining, enjoyable book on the fundamentals of health and ageing with an occasional tip or two, this is the book for you. Another important aspect is that the whole 350-something pages of text are driven by curiosity and interest in discovery of information, another appreciatable feature. All in all, a lovely book and an even better read.

[Holly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and researched book on prolonging one’s life via means of personal experimentation. Dr. Tregoning enlightens, entertains and engages his readers/listeners.

John covers so much material in a way that makes it palatable for the reader without any confusion even if you aren’t hugely science-y. You certainly will have your mind expanded and may even be inclined to do some self experiments as well!

I went through so many emotions with this book from shock at some of the figures to enthralment at learning how bits of our bodies operated to annoyingly loud snorts of laughter at the dad jokes (and not so dad jokes).

If you want an engrossing (sometimes grossing) read, please pick up a copy of John’s book. It’ll help you live longer, trust me!! When I started the book I was 18,388 days old and now I’m 18,398 days old! Who knows if I’d have made it in those 10 days?

All I know is life can’t end for me unless I get the chance to involve myself in a sausage duel!

[Lee Allan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tregoning writes in details about the top 7/8 ways humans die. He explains this with in-depth knowledge and it is informative.
The huge issue I have with this book, is that it lacks anything really to do with actual research backed diet and lifestyle suggestions (which there are many, to aid in a long healthy life). There appears to be a disregard for dietary changes and aims for humour rather than listing various research articles on the many foods that lower disease risk.
Check out 'how not to die' by Dr Gregor or 'eat to beat disease' by Dr Li for a much more informative and helpful guide to diet and lifestyle changes to make for a healthier quality of life (and in general, longer one).

[David Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read with loads of useful life and health advice but no real insight or earth shattering revelations. If you’re older than high school age you almost certainly already know everything of any use in this book. The hard part, as the author readily and repeatedly admits, is implementing it. Still, there’s a genuine sense of humor underlying everything and it’s definitely worth the effort.

[Liz Creavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If science isn’t your area so to speak, there are a few references that will go over your head, like the drop of the name ‘Lucy’ with no explanation or context of why she’s important.
I was in it for the facts and studies so it did not disappoint. Definitely worth a read

[Chad Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Maxi-Dixie Normous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable.
Engaging.
Educational.

[Jack Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Made science understandable. Made me question my habits, realise my pro’s and con’s and gave me food for thought. Well done on writing a fantastic book mate.

[Skye Colardelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 — wonderful! Will be revisiting :)

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book! Informative as well as funny and just so readable. Oh, and reassuring! Loved it.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Lots of good info and a dash of self-deprecating humor 😅