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Product Description: A New York Times Bestseller!
With the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are that you may live up to a decade longer. What’s the prescription for success? National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner has traveled the globe to uncover the best strategies for longevity found in the Blue Zones: places in the world where higher percentages of people enjoy remarkably long, full lives. And in this dynamic book he discloses the recipe, blending this unique lifestyle formula with the latest scientific findings to inspire easy, lasting change that may add years to your life.
Buettner’s colossal research effort, funded in part by the National Institute on Aging, has taken him from Costa Rica to Italy to Japan and beyond. In the societies he visits, it’s no coincidence that the way people interact with each other, shed stress, nourish their bodies, and view their world yields more good years of life. You’ll meet a 94-year-old farmer and self-confessed "ladies man" in Costa Rica, an 102-year-old grandmother in Okinawa, a 102-year-old Sardinian who hikes at least six miles a day, and others. By observing their lifestyles, Buettner’s teams have identified critical everyday choices that correspond with the cutting edge of longevity research—and distilled them into a few simple but powerful habits that anyone can embrace. Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-23
Interesting, engaging
I read Dan Buettner's book with great interest. He has spent much time studying "pockets of longevity" and his stories are informative and entertaining. We can learn much from the book, the value of caloric reduction, eating mostly plant based foods, working all your life etc.
From a scientific standpoint however, his approach is badly lacking. Studying an outlayer group (black swans) does not lead to valid conclusions for the majority. Summarizing commonalities (called "lessons,strategies")among four groups of centenarians does not constitute science. No doubt there are good conclusions, as mentioned above. But it also leads to "soft" conclusions (e.g. "explore a new tradition", "create family shrine", "be likable", "craft a personal mission statement".....), which are questionable. Good journalism, but mediocre science. But do buy the book. Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-22
The Geography of Healthful Living and Extreme Longevity
Let's begin with content unmentioned by previous reviewers. In the United States, only about one male per 20,000 reaches age 100 (p. 44). The almost-daily consumption of nuts is important to good health and long life (e. g., p. 130). On the other hand, supplementation with DHEA, human growth hormone, or melatonin is questionable and probably harmful (p. 13). Friendly intestinal bacteria are important, and these are thwarted by processed foods, excessive consumption of meat, surgery, etc. (p. 92).
The geographical format of this book takes the reader to "Blue Zones" (areas with high concentrations of long-lived people) all over the world. One of them is right in the USA--the Seventh Day Adventist community 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Now consider the Okinawans. Though not Japanese themselves, they had been conquered by the Japanese, and forced to fight against the Americans. Many Okinawans, frightened by tales of American atrocities, committed suicide upon the approach of the American forces. Instead, the Americans helped the Okinawans. Ironically, however, the Okinawans were subsequently hurt by the Americans--but in a totally unexpected and unintentional way. Americans built a lot of fast-food joints, and the health of the Okinawans--especially the younger ones--began to decline.
This book not only provides suggestions for extending one's lifespan, but also gives the reader an invaluable set of geography lessons. In the end, centenarians really cannot tell us why they lived to an age of 100 or more (p. xxi). But this book is fascinating nonetheless. There is a bibliography at the end of the book for further reading on the topics of longevity, better health, stress-free living, etc. The citations come from magazine articles, books, and scientific and medical journals.
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Date: 2008-06-09
INSPIRATIONAL, MOTIVATIONAL READING
I know we all have the capability to extend our lifespans if we are motivated to do so. I have spent the last ten years or so reading everything I could on the subject longevity. Even though I thought I "knew it all", this book taught me much. I especially enjoyed the personal stories and specific information on living a longer, happier, healthier life. I highly recommend it. Pamela D. Blair, author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond Rating:
Date: 2008-05-27
A Quick and Enjoyable Read
I really enjoyed the book. As a student and teacher of geography I do not know if I buy into the notion that these "Blue Zones" are truly scientifically significant. I think that people living well past 100 can be found just about anywhere on the globe if they can remain in relative good health...from Chihuahua Mexico or Northern Burma, East Texas or South Whales. It has little to do with a "zone" per se, and much to do with lifestyle. Having said that, I liked the wisdom and advice found within the pages of the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a way to grow old with grace. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-17
Well researched, well written and important for us all
This book is important for everyone interested in sorting through the patterns of our society that lead to ill health and a unnaturally shortened life. There are so many self help and diet books that approach this subject and many have pieces of the puzzle but "The Blue Zone" is a wonderful and quite unbiased look at the lives of centenarians who live in four regions of the world where there are high concentrations of centenarians. I would highly recommend this book and also "The China Study" to any friend. |
