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The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study Audiobook
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(3.05) - 260 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For years we have been told to make lists and obsessively monitor when we’re angry, what we eat, how much we worry, and how often we go to the gym. So why isn’t everyone healthy? Now based on the most extensive study of long life ever conducted The Longevity Project reveals what really matters across the long run—the personality traits, relationships, experiences, and career paths that naturally keep you vital. Gathering key new information and using modern research methods to study 1,500 Californians across eight decades, health scientists Dr. Howard S. Friedman and Dr. Leslie R. Martin bust many old dead-end myths. For instance, • People do not die from working long hours at a challenging job—many who worked hardest lived the longest • Getting and staying married is not the magic ticket to long life, especially if you’re a woman • It’s not the happy-go-lucky who thrive—it’s the prudent and persistent who flourish through the years. See why. With self-tests that illuminate your own best paths to longer life, and a deeper scientific understanding than we have seen before of the true causes of long-term health, this audio book will change the conversation about what it really takes to optimize your chances for a long, healthy life.
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"Really interesting book with a few surprising revelations about what ACTUALLY promotes long life. The text was a bit dry at times, but the conclusions were fascinating and it was overall an accessible, informative read that could promote an interesting discussion among fellow readers about how to lead the "ideal" life."
— Adysnewbox (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Longevity Project uses one of the most famous studies in psychology to answer the question of who lives longest—and why. The answers will surprise you. This is an important—and deeply fascinating—book.”
— Malcolm Gladwell, New York Times bestselling author -
“A compelling and objective assessment of character traits associated with longevity. Only a handful of studies in this field last long enough to give meaningful results, and even fewer remain significant after their primary investigators have passed away. Friedman and Martin have resurrected a remarkable achievement with surprising conclusions. I learned a lot from this book.”
— Andrew Weil, MD, New York Times bestselling author -
“An absorbing and invaluable read.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Lively despite the huge volume of material from eighty years of study, and packed with eye-opening self-assessment tests, this book says there’s no magic pill, but does offer a generous dose of hope: even if life deals you a less than perfect hand, you’re not doomed to an early demise if you live with purpose and make connections with the people around you.”
— Publishers Weekly
The Longevity Project Listener Reviews
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" Easy read with some valuable information. Argues that conscientiousness and social wellness will lead to longest lives as opposed to traditional metrics like diet/exercise. "
— Tom, 2/13/2014 -
" this was a nice follow-up for me after reading a book about personality traits because it identifies clear traits as leading to long life. overall, this book may have worked best as a detailed article, but nevertheless it was interesting to dig into lifestyles and personalities that led to long life for a select sample of people who were followed in a longitudinal study. i think the caveat for the book is that the sample was of american, white, well-to-do people. and i wonder about any moral value someone might place on long life as being somehow "better," but i can understand good health as promoting a good quality of life. "
— Jennifer, 2/12/2014 -
" Conclusions VERY INTERESTING. Way of communicating these POOR "
— Kurosh, 1/27/2014 -
" I found the study INCREDIBLY fascinating, but the book was a little bit dry. I'd love to read more about this, though, as it was such an interesting project. "
— Laura, 1/19/2014 -
" Somewhat repetitive but fascinating information. Rare to find an 80-year longitudinal study on a group. "
— Ruth, 1/18/2014 -
" Research and anecdotal evidence is presented in easy to read chapters. I really enjoyed the self-assessment quizzes scattered throughout the book. "
— Kendrea, 1/18/2014 -
" This was definitely interesting, although I wasn't into it as much as I'd hoped, probably because I had just read another nonfiction book and was itching for more of a story. I guess I just have to take my nonfiction in small doses. Interesting information however. "
— Lauren, 12/15/2013 -
" Common sense approach, and nothing you never heard before, for living a long and healthy life "
— Gina, 12/2/2013 -
" The findings of this study are really fascinating. The study itself, begun by Dr. Terman in 1921 and following its subjects for 8 decades is an outstanding achievement. As a book however its just didn't keep me interested, read the last summary chapter and you should be good to go. "
— Jenny, 11/22/2013 -
" An interesting read though to be honest I would have liked a lot more detail than this actually provided "
— Sally, 12/15/2012 -
" A very interesting book that's now on my 'read again' list. More that a little disconserting for a parent in her 60's. "
— Becky, 11/2/2012 -
" Very interesting book. Most of the arguments are very convincing and backed by good reasoning and common sense. I found some of the studies little hard to follow but overall the book was simple and interesting enough to share with family and friends. "
— Nicole, 8/14/2012 -
" I'm going to use this book with my Adult Development class next semester. Interesting set of studies on the psychological predictors of longevity, and just at the right reading level for undergrads. Plus now I don't feel so bad that I hate exercise; at least I'm highly conscientious. "
— Lisa, 8/7/2012 -
" Interesting read. Basically, don't try to tell everyone there is only one healthy way to live. Build healthy habits into your general lifestyle, and have a good social network. The rest will take care of itself. "
— Zbhall, 7/12/2012 -
" Extremely interesting. Not only the study itself but also the particular people that the book highlighted. "
— Sarah, 4/27/2012 -
" neurosis is the new optimism "
— Kaitlyn, 2/23/2012 -
" Amazing insight and research that started in 1921. The project followed 1500 bright 11 years old throughout their life. Much more enjoyable read than expected, very interesting. "
— Rachelle, 5/27/2011 -
" Very interesting book. Most of the arguments are very convincing and backed by good reasoning and common sense. I found some of the studies little hard to follow but overall the book was simple and interesting enough to share with family and friends. "
— Nicole, 5/14/2011 -
" I really liked this -- hopeful, full of not too detailed but still interesting stories of people's lives -- I particularly like that some long-term sociology pays off at last. Definitely worth a look. Another great recommendation from Sharon Burke. "
— Anne, 5/10/2011 -
" An interesting read though to be honest I would have liked a lot more detail than this actually provided "
— Sally, 5/5/2011 -
" neurosis is the new optimism "
— Kaitlyn, 4/23/2011 -
" None of the findings was really surprising to me. "
— Christina, 4/17/2011
About the Authors
Dr. Howard S. Friedman is distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside. He is the author of The Longevity Project, Foundations of Health Psychology, Personality Disease, and others; he is also the editor of the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior and the Encyclopedia of Mental Health. A magna cum laude graduate of Yale University, Friedman received his doctorate from Harvard University, where he was a National Science Foundation graduate fellow.
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been narrating since 1996 and has recorded over six hundred audiobooks. He is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award and has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His critically acclaimed performances include Elvis in the Morning by William F. Buckley Jr. and Searching for Bobby Fischer by Fred Waitzkin, among others.
About Lloyd James
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.