 | Price Comparisons: Rental | | Sorry, the textbook you were looking for is not available as Rental, at any of the stores we searched. | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | The idea behind Kurzweil and Grossman's Fantastic Voyage is that if you can make it through the next 50 years, you might become immortal. How will that be possible? Through some rather science fictional steps, it turns out, including taking advantage of the latest in biotechnological breakthroughs and not-yet-invented nanotechnology. Is all this longing for immortality driven by an obsession with youth or a fear of death? Readers can judge for themselves, as both Kurzweil and Grossman reveal the personal histories that led them to develop this plan. Fantastic Voyage is written in an easy-to-understand tone, with lots of sidebars giving examples of what the future holds for medicine and health. Whether or not you think that science will find a way to keep our bodies or our disembodied minds alive forever, this book is full of diet and lifestyle tips. For instance, the authors suggest carefully controlling the body's overall pH at an alkaline level, meditating, eating a diet composed mostly of vegetables and protein, and taking loads of supplements (Kurzweil downs about 250 pills each day). The dietary options presented here will mostly only be practical for people whose income levels can support buying organic produce, fresh fish and meat, and top-shelf supplements. The authors cavalierly state that we are living in a "time of abundance," but it seems likely that most who are able to follow this regimen will be Americans of a fairly high socioeconomic class. --Therese Littleton |
Average Customer Rating:   So much information, heavy duty reading.. I have only read a quarter of the book, but need read no more to review it! However I have indeed looked at a few parts later in the book that interested me, one of which is the small matter of alcohol. (A little is good for you; you will live longer; too much is bad - most of us know that.)
There is such a wealth of detail that no-one will have any excuse not to enjoy much better health. The detail of the materials of 'the stuff of life', what we are made of, what each chemical, fat, etc does to us, is explained in great detail.
This book goes far beyond any ordinary so called 'diet book'. However although the writers are scientists, nevertheless much of it must be to some extent conjecture, firstly because it was written in 2004 (now is mid 2009) and secondly, therefore, although they say that by 2010 much of what they write must have arrived - I don't see that it's here quite yet!
But then they ARE scientists and it's quite possible that several of those life extending procedures are already taking place, who knows?
I just have to recommend it. If you are into this much detail then you are in for a smörgåsbord. I'm battling through it and, being already 68, hoping to extend my life just a bit. That's why I'm 'doing' it .. so who knows?
PS Anybody reading this book will also be interested in 'The Singularity is Near'. VERY interesting reading. Great title and marketing team Great title and marketing team but it does not live up to the expectations,and it does not offer anything you have not seen free in PBS. Transend to an age where nanobots can help and you may live forever Good News! There will soon be available a new book from these two authors that is both exciting and fun to read! Dr. Grossman's collaborative work with Mr. Kurzweil hit it out of the park with their newest book: "TRANSEND". In it, Baby Boomers (or anyone) interested in understanding longevity, are shown easy to understand ways to improve and extend life. The goal: preserve your body now for the future developments in science. Preserved for what you ask? Science.
Medical science specifically.
In the next 35 years, we will be able to launch nanobots (machines at the molecular level) to shrub arterial blockage at the microscopic level.
Heart attacks and disease will be generally regarded as a rarity. But that is just the start. Medicine can perform better that biology when specific nanobots are created to perform specific tasks.
I urge fellow Amazonian book fans to check out this landmark book. Learning now to follow programs designed to "transcend" the boundaries of our genetic legacy will allow medicine to take over and do the real work with the shared goal of helping all to live well past current limits on human life expectancy. I am very pleased with this book and believe it has real value for anyone interested in extending life expectancy. And who is not? Great book Lots of information about how to stay young and keep yourself healthy until we get the technology to really extend our lives. Fantastic Voyage This book was beyond expectations for information about our bodies and the chemistry of what we eat. |  |
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