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The Living Heart in the 21st Century
by Michael E. DebakeyThis authoritative guide on common conditions affecting the heart and circulatory system provides essential knowledge and lifesaving tips to help both healthy persons as well as heart patients improve their cardiovascular health. Based on the combined experience of two experts who have played leading roles in defining the field of heart health, this is a completely revised and up-to-date volume in the bestselling Living Heart series. For over four decades, the authors have set the standard in these books for reliable information on heart disease and cardiovascular health. Organized in an approachable, easy-to-understand format, the engaging text covers the latest guidelines on reducing cardiovascular risk. The authors clearly explain the scientific rationale for these guidelines and advise patients on how they can translate the information to their own lives. They also explain how doctors detect, diagnose, and treat coronary heart disease if it does occur, so that patients can take charge of their own healthcare and communicate more effectively with their medical providers. In addition, the book describes other common forms of heart disease, including arrhythmias, valvular disease, and heart failure. The authors conclude by discussing genetic research, emphasizing the most promising developments likely to affect medical practice in the near future. For anyone seeking the latest information on cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, this is the essential resource.
The Living I Ching: Using Ancient Chinese Wisdom to Shape Your Life
by Ming-Dao DengFrom the author of 365 Tao and a leading authority on Taoist practice and philosophy comes a completely innovative translation of the classic text of Eastern wisdom, the I Ching.<P> The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is an ancient manual for divining the future. Its basic text is traditionally attributed to the Chinese King Wen, the Duke of Zhou, and the philosopher Confucius. By tossing coins, rolling dice, using a computer, or, more traditionally, counting yarrow stalks, one can create a seemingly random combination of heads or tails, odd or even, yin or yang, to construct six lines (for example, solid for odd numbers or broken for even numbers). These six lines make up a hexagram that provides advice, predictions, and answers to questions on topics from love and career to family and finance.<P> While known mostly as a tool of divination, the I Ching is also a repository of centuries of wisdom. Most of the existing translations offer either dense, scholarly commentary or little more than fortune-cookie platitudes, but in The Living I Ching Deng Ming-Dao takes a more holistic approach. His new translation recovers the true wisdom and philosophy of this ancient classic, so that the I Ching becomes more than just a book of fortune-telling -- it becomes a manual for living.
The Living Kitchen: Healing Recipes to Support Your Body During Cancer Treatment and Recovery
by Tamara Green Sarah GrossmanFrom two experts in cancer care cooking comes an informative, inspiring, and empowering guide that will educate cancer patients and their caregivers about the healing power of food. With nearly 100 nourishing recipes designed to combat side effects related to cancer therapy, this book is an essential resource for anyone experiencing cancer, undergoing treatment, or in remission.A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, frightening, and uncertain. You'll want to learn what to expect from chemotherapy and radiation, how you'll navigate the often debilitating side effects that come with treatment, and what you should eat to support your body at a time when eating and cooking may be too challenging. The Living Kitchen will help cancer patients and their caregivers navigate every stage of their cancer therapy journey, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. Within the pages of this indispensable guide, certified nutrionists Sarah Grossman and Tamara Green provide easy-to-understand, research-based nutritional information on the science behind how food relates to your health and the effects of cancer, and offer strategies to prepare your body, life, and kitchen for treatment. With nearly 100 stress-free, healthy, freezer-friendly, and flavorful recipes specially designed to relieve specific symptoms and side effects of cancer and its therapies (including loss of appetite, sore mouth, altered taste buds, nausea, and more) and to strengthen your body once in recovery, The Living Kitchen is accompanied by stunning photography and a simple, user-friendly design. With energizing snacks and breakfasts; superfood smoothies, juices and elixirs; soups and stews, and nutrient-rich, flavorful main dishes, these are recipes that you, your family, and your caregivers will all enjoy. The Living Kitchen will give you comfort in knowing that your body will be nourished and supported during (and even after) cancer treatment.
The Living Kitchen: Healing Recipes to Support Your Body During Cancer Treatment and Recovery
by Tamara Green Sarah GrossmanFrom two experts in cancer care cooking comes an informative, inspiring and empowering guide that will educate cancer patients and their caregivers about the healing power of food.With nearly 100 recipes - all stress-free, healthy, freezer-friendly and flavorful - specially designed to relieve specific symptoms and side effects of cancer and its therapies (including loss of appetite, sore mouth, altered taste buds, nausea, and more) and to strengthen your body once in recovery, The Living Kitchen is accompanied by stunning photography and a simple, user-friendly design. In this indispensable guide, certified nutritionists Sarah Grossman and Tamara Green provide easy-to-understand, research-based nutritional information on the science of how food relates to your health and the effects of cancer, and offer strategies to prepare your body, life and kitchen for treatment.You will find recipes for:- Energising snacks and breakfasts- Superfood smoothies, juices and elixirs- Soups and stews- Nutrient-rich, delicious main dishesThese are recipes that you, your family, and your caregivers will all enjoy. The Living Kitchen will give you comfort in knowing that your body will be nourished and supported during (and even after) cancer treatment.A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, frightening and uncertain. You'll want to learn what to expect from chemotherapy and radiation, how you'll navigate the often debilitating side effects that come with treatment, and what you should eat to support your body at a time when eating and cooking may be too challenging. The Living Kitchen will help cancer patients and their caregivers navigate every stage of their cancer therapy journey, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery.
The Living Maya
by Patricio Balona Robert Sitler Gaspar Pedro GonzalezAuthor Robert Sitler's immersion in Mayan culture began with a transformative spiritual experience more than three decades ago in the ruins of Palenque, Mexico. Led by a local to a nearby Mayan village, Sitler discovered firsthand what traditional Mayan life was like--a community of people living in peace with each other and their physical surroundings. In The Living Maya, he shares this experience and many that followed. In the process, he immerses readers in a rich indigenous culture and offers a fresh view of the 2012 phenomenon, focusing on the valuable lessons Mayan culture can teach us in this time of transition. Personal anecdotes are interwoven with factual information about the roots of traditional Mayan customs and traditions, presenting a rare multifaceted view of their simple yet profound way of life. The book showcases Mayan infant care, community building, ties to nature, attitudes toward the elderly, and orientation to spirituality. In The Living Maya, Sitler shows how following "the Mayan way" can help us ground our lives in harmony with nature, broaden our perspectives on human existence, connect us with our capacity for compassion, and use the vaunted cataclysm of 2012 as a unique chance for growth.
The Living Spirit
by Sheryl Iris GlickI have written The Living Spirit not just for healers, but for anyone who wants to awaken to their soul's mission and to the incredible plan God has for them. It is intended as a compassionate and supportive guide for others beginning their spiritual journey as mediums, psychics, and energy healers or simply for those with questions about who they are, what life is all about, and whether there is indeed life after death. In short, it is the book I wish I had on that night all those years ago. In gratitude for my spiritual gifts, I made a commitment to live according to the universal laws of energy and to share all I've learned with others. This includes helping others to conquer their childhood fears and limitations so their souls can mature. As our souls grow and expand, our physical lives expand and abound in abundance. It is my hope that by reading the personal stories shared by a host of people and those from my daily life, it will become apparent to you that each of us is more than we appear to be. We can transform our selves and our world into a place that reflects the best of our divine gifts. When one shifts to living in conjunction with spirit, and to moving through their emotional issues with new vision and expertise, anything is possible. Another major emphasis of this book is to share the miraculous happenings and coincidences that have proven to me, a former skeptic, that life is not random, and all our experiences are the way to a higher understanding of self. There are three main points that I hope readers take away from The Living Spirit: -We are divine soul beings interconnected to each other and to the universal energy that supports all of us. -Life is not random. Throughout our lives we will experience a series of coincidences that are not coincidental at all, but Spirit, whispering words of love and guidance in our ears. -Our loved ones in afterlife guide us to expand our understanding of our soul nature and our physical lives. I invite readers to share this journey with me and learn to let go of any restriction preventing their full enjoyment of life. Once we become aware of how we can recognize and utilize coincidences, synchronicities, and higher guidance, we ca we can begin our exploration of what these mean in our lives and in our role in the world. We all have the Divine-given abilities to repair our wounds and misguided thinking. Through meditation and energy work like Reiki, we can learn to quiet the mind of negative chatter and learn to find that place within where we are sure of God's love and guidance.
The Living Spirit: Answers for Healing and Infinite Love
by Sheryl GlickThe Living Spirit is not just for healers, but for anyone who wants to awaken to their soul's mission and to the incredible plan God has for them. It is intended as a compassionate and supportive guide for others beginning their spiritual journey as mediums, psychics, and energy healers or simply for those with questions about who they are, what life is all about, and whether there is indeed life after death. The author, Sheryl Glick, has made a commitment to live according to the universal laws of energy and to share all that she has learned with others. This includes helping others to conquer their childhood fears and limitations so their souls can mature. As our souls grow and expand, our physical lives expand and abound in abundance. It is her her hope that by reading these stories, it will become apparent that each of us is more than we appear to be. We can transform our selves and our world into a place that reflects the best of our divine gifts.
The Living Well With Cancer Cookbook: An Essential Guide to Nutrition, Lifestyle and Health
by Fran Warde Catherine ZabilowiczWhen authors Fran Warde and Catherine Zabilowicz met at the Maggie’s centre at Charing Cross Hospital in London, they quickly discovered they shared a passion for good food and healthy eating. They also realized that with their combined knowledge and experience – Fran as an acclaimed food writer, and Catherine as an experienced nutritional therapist working at Maggie’s – they could provide invaluable guidance for anyone living with cancer, their families and friends. The Living Well With Cancer Cookbook, published in support of the Maggie’s charity, is the result of Fran and Catherine’s collaboration. Aimed at helping readers through each stage of their journey – diagnosis, during and after treatment – this essential guide is packed with advice on nutrition and health and offers a range of delicious recipes. There are healthy twists on classic favourites and tempting new treats to try, with every ingredient considered for its health benefits. Positive and empowering, the book contains a wealth of information on the best food choices to make, and reveals why many scientists today believe that certain foods and a balanced diet are crucial in sustaining strength throughout treatment. Taking a holistic approach, this book also seeks to alleviate anxieties, such as those concerning weight-loss, loss of appetite and the changes in how food tastes. Above all, the simple, comforting recipes will help both experienced cooks and novices to create nutritious, easily adapted meals – from breakfast right through to dinner – each one designed to nourish and sustain.
The Living Wisdom of Trees: A Guide to the Natural History, Symbolism and Healing Power of Trees
by Fred HagenederA definitive guide to the sacred place trees hold for cultures around the world, exploring the natural history, folklore and symbolism that give each genus of tree its unique character and fascination.Throughout time, trees have stood as sentinels, wise yet silent, patiently accumulating their rings while the storms of history have raged around them. Trees and humankind have always had a symbiotic relationship. Throughout the centuries trees have offered us shelter from the cold and the heat. They have provided us with a multitude of nutritious fruits, leaves, flowers and roots for food and medicine. They have given us wood with which to make our tools, weapons and toys, not to mention timber for houses, fences, boats and bridges. But perhaps most significant of all, trees have provided us with fuel for fire, which, once it was tamed hundreds of thousands of years ago became the engine of civilization. Trees are our strongest allies. The Living Wisdom of Trees is a richly illustrated guide to the cultural significance of 55 trees, from Acacia to Yew, looking in particular at their botanical characteristics; their place in world myth, magic and folklore; their healing properties; and their practical contribution to society. Featuring beautiful hand-drawn evocative illustrations, The Living Wisdom of Treesis for all who seek acquaintance with the fascinating lore and the profound spiritual wisdom of trees.
The Locavore Way: Discover And Enjoy The Pleasures Of Locally Grown Food
by Amy CotlerEating food grown close to home is not only tasty, but comes with great benefits for the health of your family, your local community, and the environment. Learn how and where to find local foods, how to eat locally on a tight budget, what questions to ask at the farmers’ market, and how to grow your own food in small spaces. With shopping tips and simple guides to preparing what’s in season, The Locavore Way makes eating locally as simple as it is delicious.
The Logical Alien: Conant And His Critics
by Sofia MiguensIs our logical form of thought merely one among many, or must it be the form of thought as such? From Kant to Wittgenstein, philosophers have wrestled with variants of this question. This volume brings together nine distinguished thinkers on the subject, including James Conant, author of the seminal paper “The Search for Logically Alien Thought.”
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Meet Buddha: Masks, Meditation, and Improvised Play to Induce Liberated States
by Peter Coyote• Shares a series of mindfulness techniques and improv exercises with masks to suppress the ego, calm the mind, and allow spontaneous playfulness and spaciousness to arise from your deepest nature • Draws on Buddhist philosophy to describe how and why the exercises work • Woven throughout with a lighthearted parable of an overweight and out-of-work Lone Ranger and Tonto who meet Buddha and experience spiritual awakeningSharing a series of mindfulness techniques and acting exercises that show how malleable the self can be, award-winning actor, narrator, and Zen Buddhist priest Peter Coyote reveals how to use masks, meditation, and improvisation to free yourself from fixed ideas of who you think you are and help you release your ego from constant defensive strategizing, calm the mind&’s overactivity, and allow spontaneous playfulness to arise out of your deepest nature. Developed through 40 years of research and personal study, Coyote&’s synthesis of mask-based improv games and Zen practices is specifically designed to create an ego-suppressed state akin to the mystical experiences of meditation or the spiritual awakenings of psychedelics. After preparatory exercises, seeing yourself in a mask will temporarily displace your familiar self and the spirit of the mask will take over. Likening the liberated state induced by mask work to &“Enlightenment-lite,&” Coyote draws on Buddhist philosophy to describe how and why the exercises work as well as how to make your newly awakened and confident self part of daily life. In true Zen form, woven throughout the narrative is a lighthearted parable of an out-of-work Lone Ranger and Tonto, who meet Buddha and experience spiritual awakening. Illuminating the lessons of mask work, the transformation of the Lone Ranger mirrors that of the individual pursuing this practice, revealing how you will come to realize that the world is more magical and vaster than you thought possible.
The Lone Star Hiking Trail
by Karen SomersOne of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state's longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Located in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, the trail is well-suited for both short and long hikes (of up to 10 days), appealing to dayhikers, overnight backpackers and long-distance hikers. The LSHT lies between the major metro centers of Houston-Galveston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio--home to more than 8 million people just a 2-hour drive from the trail. The author, a Texas native, is an experienced long-distance hiker who has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and many other nationally recognized long-distance trails throughout the U.S. This is the first guidebook to the trail and is officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club.
The Loneliness Workbook:A Guide to Developing and Maintaining Lasting Connections
by Mary Ellen CopelandThis workbook is a practical, step-by-step guide for addressing, dealing with, and relieving the loneliness in your life.
The Lonely Crowd: A Study of the Changing American Character (Abridged)
by Nathan Glazer David Riesman Reuel DenneyAbridged and revised with a forward by professor Todd Gitlin, "The Lonely Crowd" is indispensable reading for anyone who wishes to understand the social character of the United States. Its now-classic analysis of the "new middle class" opens exciting new dimensions in our understanding of the psychological, political, and economic problems that confront the individual in contemporary American society.
The Long COVID Survival Guide: How To Take Care Of Yourself And What Comes Next--stories And Advice From Twenty Long-haulers And Experts
by Fiona LowensteinThe first patient-to-patient guide for people living with Long COVID—with expert advice on getting diagnosed, dealing with symptoms, accessing resources and accommodations, and more. “The Long COVID Survival Guide aims to give people struggling with long COVID practical solutions and emotional support to manage their illness.”—NPR, It’s Been a Minute For people living with Long COVID, navigating the uncharted territory of this new chronic illness can be challenging. With over two hundred unique symptoms, and with doctors continuing to work toward a cure, people experiencing Long COVID are often left with more questions than answers. A support group in book form, The Long COVID Survival Guide is here to help. Twenty contributors—from award-winning journalists, neuroscientists, and patient-researchers to corporate strategists, activists, and artists—share their stories and insight on topics including: getting diagnosed finding a caregiver confronting medical racism and gaslighting navigating employment issues dealing with fatigue and brain fog caring for your mental health, and more. This vital resource provides the answers and reassurance you need, to take care of yourself and prepare for what comes next. Contributors: Karyn Bishof, JD Davids, Pato Hebert, Heather Hogan, Monique Jackson, Naina Khanna, Lisa McCorkell, Karla Monterroso, Dona Kim Murphey, Padma Priya, David Putrino, Yochai Re’em, Rachel Robles, Alison Sbrana, Chimére L. Smith, Letícia Soares, Morgan Stephens, and Terri L. Wilder
The Long Covid Handbook
by Gez Medinger Professor Danny AltmannUnderstand, manage, and treat Long Covid.Reports suggest that over 100m people around the world are living with Long Covid (more than 1.5m in the UK) yet reliable, clear information and guidance remains scarce. This book is the definitive guide to understanding, managing and treating the condition.Written by the world's leading immunologist Professor Danny Altmann and expert patient Gez Medinger, The Long Covid Handbook translates cutting-edge science, patient-led research and practical guidance with clarity. This book will equip you with expert information and advice on:- Long Covid's 200 symptoms, which include fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness and more- Tips for recovery- Which treatments are most effective and why- Who is most susceptible to the condition and why- What we can learn about Long Covid from other chronic illnesses- The impact on mental healthThis is the essential guide for anyone living with the condition, as well as clinicians seeking to better understand this little-understood illness.
The Long Distance Runner's Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment: How to Avoid Common Problems and Deal with Them When They Happen
by Brian Krabak Grant Lipman Brandee WaiteFor any runner who loves hitting the pavement and conquering half-, full-, and ultra-marathons, getting injured is a terrifying, and often heartbreaking, setback. Yet, almost three-quarters of long distance runners will suffer from a serious injury several times in their athletic career.Although it may be impossible to completely avoid injury, The Long Distance Runner’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment is a vital source to help those who love to run understand some of the most common causes of injuries, and learn how to best avoid and treat athletic ailments. In this book, expert editors and long-time runners Brian Krabak and Grant Lipman combine valuable insights, tips, and tactics from over a dozen medical professionals who specialize in treating endurance athletes.With chapters on important and diverse topics such as proper nutrition, muscular ailments, skeletal injuries, medical illnesses caused by racing and proper recovery, The Long Distance Runner’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment is a must-have on the shelf of every harrier.
The Long Haul
by Ryan PriorAs the global Covid-19 pandemic leaves millions with long-term disabling conditions, the survivors fight for recognition and research, which could ultimately help transform care for many overlooked diseases.To the world&’s public health authorities, Covid-19 would either be a deadly disease for some, or it would be a simple respiratory illness for most—cleared up in a couple of weeks. But then tens of millions around the world got sick and stayed sick. With scientists and doctors caught off guard, these patients often found solace only in themselves, organizing support groups across continents while ill in bed. An innovative band of patients researched the disease themselves, flipping the script and illustrating a new paradigm for research. In these unprecedented times, the CDC and the WHO came to them. Covid &“long haulers&” found their new illness wasn&’t so new. It resembled a number of post-viral syndromes, hard to treat and neglected by science for decades. CNN journalist Ryan Prior weaves in his own life, the stories of activist patients, and the latest science into a captivating tale of regular people crying out for care that actually works. The stakes are high: As Covid continues to circulate, its long-term effects could grow as well, weighing on the health system for decades to come. But getting Long Covid treatments right could help revolutionize care for all complex, chronic illness. &“Ryan Prior brings out the heart of the story simply because he puts his whole self into telling it empathetically and with utmost compassion. Matched with his passion for curiosity, it makes for a story not only worth telling, but worth reading with insatiable interest.&” —Stephanie Land, New York Times bestselling author of Maid, one of President Obama&’s top picks of 2019 and now a Netflix original series &“Ryan Prior&’s years of both living with and reporting on chronic disease for major publications makes him ideally suited to write a book about Long Covid. Because he has led the field by helping author principles guiding other science writers in covering contested diseases, he can cover this topic with all the scientific nuance, literary poise, and human empathy it requires. His book could be an example in future decades of how to cover the new epidemics we will undoubtedly see.&” —Pam Weintraub, author of Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic &“As a CNN features writer, Ryan has shown a keen nose for compelling human stories and the reporting chops to deliver.&” —Brian Vastag, former science reporter for The Washington Post &“Ryan Prior&’s passion, to both get the story right and bring it alive using amazing storytelling skills, makes his work incredibly important and engaging. His experience living with chronic illness, and his years of writing about it, will all combine to make his book on Long Covid an essential read.&” —Tracie White, author of The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist&’s Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole His Son
The Long Life of Magical Objects: A Study in the Solomonic Tradition (Magic in History)
by Allegra IafrateThis book explores a series of powerful artifacts associated with King Solomon via legendary or extracanonical textual sources. Tracing their cultural resonance throughout history, art historian Allegra Iafrate delivers exciting insights into these objects and interrogates the ways in which magic manifests itself at a material level.Each chapter focuses on a different Solomonic object: a ring used to control demons; a mysterious set of bottles that constrain evil forces; an endless knot or seal with similar properties; the shamir, known for its supernatural ability to cut through stone; and a flying carpet that can bring the sitter anywhere he desires. Taken together, these chapters constitute a study on the reception of the figure of Solomon, but they are also cultural biographies of these magical objects and their inherent aesthetic, morphological, and technical qualities.Thought-provoking and engaging, Iafrate’s study shows how ancient magic artifacts live on in our imagination, in items such as Sauron’s ring of power, Aladdin’s lamp, and the magic carpet. It will appeal to historians of art, religion, folklore, and literature.
The Long Life of Magical Objects: A Study in the Solomonic Tradition (Magic in History)
by Allegra IafrateThis book explores a series of powerful artifacts associated with King Solomon via legendary or extracanonical textual sources. Tracing their cultural resonance throughout history, art historian Allegra Iafrate delivers exciting insights into these objects and interrogates the ways in which magic manifests itself at a material level.Each chapter focuses on a different Solomonic object: a ring used to control demons; a mysterious set of bottles that constrain evil forces; an endless knot or seal with similar properties; the shamir, known for its supernatural ability to cut through stone; and a flying carpet that can bring the sitter anywhere he desires. Taken together, these chapters constitute a study on the reception of the figure of Solomon, but they are also cultural biographies of these magical objects and their inherent aesthetic, morphological, and technical qualities.Thought-provoking and engaging, Iafrate’s study shows how ancient magic artifacts live on in our imagination, in items such as Sauron’s ring of power, Aladdin’s lamp, and the magic carpet. It will appeal to historians of art, religion, folklore, and literature.
The Long Ride (Pine Hollow #1)
by Bonnie BryantStevie, Lisa, and Carole are best friends. Stevie concentrates more on her car; Lisa's trying to make her long distance relationship work; and Carole's too busy with her job and the horses. Then an accident threatens a girl's life. Will their relationship stand the tension?
The Long Road Turns to Joy: A Guide to Walking Meditation
by Thich Nhat Hanh Robert AitkenOne of the few books focused completely on mindful walking and walking meditation. This revised edition of the best-selling title (nearly 80,000 copies sold to date) includes over 30 percent new material--including new walking meditation poems and practices--and provides a practical and inspirational introduction to this important practice. Written in Thich Nhat Hanh's clear and accessible style, Long Road Turns To Joy reminds us that we "walk not in order to arrive, but walk just for walking." Touching the earth with our feet is an opportunity to live in the here and now. Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us to enjoy each step and each breath in order to regain peace in difficult moments. The simple practice of walking with attention and mindfulness can bring the spirit of prayer into our everyday life. This book will appeal to anyone who would like to get more out of walking, from long-time meditators to those who are just looking for a way to make their walk around the block more meaningful.Features photographs of walking meditation from around the world.Foreword by Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen
The Long Way Home (Homelanders #2)
by Andrew KlavanAs eighteen-year-old Charlie West continues to elude the law and the group of terrorists looking for him, he tries to remember what happened a year ago and find out who has framed him so he can clear his name.
The Long and the Short of It: The Science of Life Span and Aging
by Jonathan SilvertownEverything that lives will die. That's the fundamental fact of life. But not everyone dies at the same age: people vary wildly in their patterns of aging and their life spans--and that variation is nothing compared to what's found in other animal and plant species. A giant fungus found in Michigan has been alive since the Ice Age, while a dragonfly lives but four months, a mayfly half an hour. What accounts for these variations--and what can we learn from them that might help us understand, or better manage, our own aging? With The Long and the Short of It, biologist and writer Jonathan Silvertown offers readers a witty and fascinating tour through the scientific study of longevity and aging. Dividing his daunting subject by theme--death, life span, aging, heredity, evolution, and more--Silvertown draws on the latest scientific developments to paint a picture of what we know about how life span, senescence, and death vary within and across species. At every turn, he addresses fascinating questions that have far-reaching implications: What causes aging, and what determines the length of an individual life? What changes have caused the average human life span to increase so dramatically--fifteen minutes per hour--in the past two centuries? If evolution favors those who leave the most descendants, why haven't we evolved to be immortal? The answers to these puzzles and more emerge from close examination of the whole natural history of life span and aging, from fruit flies, nematodes, redwoods, and much more. The Long and the Short of It pairs a perpetually fascinating topic with a wholly engaging writer, and the result is a supremely accessible book that will reward curious readers of all ages.