The Clock of Ages: Why We Age, How We Age, Winding Back the Clock

by John Medina

A few gray hairs and a couple of wrinkles are often the first visible signs of aging on our bodies. For most of us, however, aging remains largely a mystery. We can only wonder why we have to age and what casualty of age hovers nearby. Written in everyday language, The Clock of Ages takes us on a tour of the aging 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 genes that may allow humans 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, Billy the Kid, Napoleon, and Casanova. These stories underscore the common bond of senescence that unites us all. The Clock of Ages tells us why.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 1996

About the author

DR. JOHN J. MEDINA, a developmental molecular biologist, has a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School" -- a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed. His latest book is a must-read for parents and early-childhood educators: "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five."

Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife and two boys. www.brainrules.net

Reviews

[Cher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been higher, but it's a bit outdated. I bought it online thinking it was another book by John Medina, who is one of my favorite writers on the brain. Read some of his brain rules books. They are fantastic

[Juanita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd read "The Outer Limits of Life" by Medina years ago and remember being pretty blown away by it. The writing in "Clock of Ages" is interesting at times, pedantic at others. The information is useful, but often presented in a straightforward scientific writing style (conclusions at the end of every chapter telling you what he just told you).