In 1921 Dr Lewis Terman created a study group of 1528 children. Children selected by their teachers to be well adjusted and with potential. The idea was to follow these children for a lifetime to try and determine the traits and lifestyles which might provide predictors to longevity. The study has continued and one product, long after Dr Terman/s death is this book.
There is no poly-pill. Genes matter, life style matters, medical situations matter, and trauma, accidents, matter. Simply, (actually never simply) eating well, exercising, drinking sufficient water, staying trim, are all good – but no guarantee of a long life.
A couple of traits do stand out. Being conscientious. Those children deaned by teachers as conscientious, trying to do right, both maintained the trait over adulthood, but also lived, in general, long lives. Those people with large and solid social networks do well.
Many “myths” about ageing are addressed. The chapters include discussions about catastrophic thinking, divorce, masculinity/femininity, athletics, careers, religion, wars, and a last chapter about individual positive paths.
The book is aa easy and interesting read, full of statistics, and nicely enhanced with personal stories. Their motto; “follow the data.”