Healthy at 100
Why do some people age in failing health and sadness, while others grow old with vitality and joy?In this revolutionary book, bestselling author John Robbins presents us with a bold new paradigm of aging, showing us how we can increase not only our lifespan but also our health span. Through the example of four very different cultures that have the distinction of producing some of the world's healthiest, oldest people, Robbins reveals the secrets for living an extended and fulfilling life in which our later years become a period of wisdom, vitality, and happiness. From Abkhasia in the Caucasus south of Russia, where age is beauty, and Vilcabamba in the Andes of South America, where laughter is the greatest medicine, to Hunza in Central Asia, where dance is ageless, and finally the southern Japanese islands of Okinawa, the modern Shangri-la, where people regularly live beyond a century, Robbins examines how the unique lifestyles of these peoples can influence and improve our own.Bringing the traditions of these ancient and vibrantly healthy cultures together with the latest breakthroughs in medical science, Robbins reveals that, remarkably, they both point in the same direction. The result is an inspirational synthesis of years of research into healthy aging in which Robbins has isolated the characteristics that will enable us to live long and--most important--joyous lives.
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What Hacker News says
- There is a really good book out right now called "Healthy at 100" by John Robbins that speaks to this very subject. It looks at several cultures that tend to have a larger % of HEALTHY centenarians, such as the Okinawans and Hunzans. It looks at what they eat, how they live, etc. It is good because he acknowledges the self-reporting errors in such studies ("Yeah, dude, I'm 110 years old!") and the impact of physical activity and social bonds on longevity, etc.
John Robbins is biased (toward vegetarianism/veganism), but his bias is based on sound principles (science, self-experience, environmental impact, ethics, etc.) The book is not preachy or anything, though. His other books are also really good. Especially if you're interested in the food industry, animal cruelty, nutrition and disease, etc.
He's a very interesting guy. He walked away from the Baskin-Robbins fortune to live a simpler and healthier life after his dad and uncle (Robbins and Baskin, respectively) both died of heart disease from eating too much of their own product. His one room, self-built cabin with second-hand furniture was featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and it became one of their most requested shows, to everyone's surprise. He's a pretty inspiring guy.
- I've been trying to get through a book a week recently, and not quite succeeding. Here's the three I'm going through right now (no affiliate links):
Arabian Nights, Hussain Haddawy's translation. Hilarious and many life lessons, strongly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Arabian-Nights-New-Deluxe/dp/039333166...
Healthy at 100, John Robbins. Just started, looks promising. http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-100-Scientifically-Healthiest-...
The Psychology of Self Esteem, Nathaniel Branden. Gosh, Branden's so smart, I just wish he'd use smaller words and sentences so I could get his general ideas faster. http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Self-Esteem-Revolutionary-A...
I just gave up on "Execution" by Larry Bossidy, it seems good but I wasn't connecting with it right now.
I read "Katsuno's Revenge and Other Tales of the Samurai" recently, which was a good, short book. It's like 120 pages, with six stories or so. A few of them were interesting, a few didn't speak to me, but overall worth a read. You'll learn some underpinnings of Japanese culture from it. (Also, it's only $9 on Amazon right now, can just add to cart for next order) - http://www.amazon.com/Katsunos-Revenge-Other-Tales-Samurai/d...
Finished "The Samurai Banner of Furin Kazan" recently - very interesting, it's a look at the more political machinations and presents a dirtier, less ethical picture of the great strategists in the Sengoku era. http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Banner-Classics-Japanese-Liter...
Don't start with it if you're not familiar with the era, though, you'll get the general sense wrong. I'd recommend start with Eiji Yoshikawa if you like Japanese history and want to learn more - of course, start with "Musashi", which is fantastic. If you really like it, "Taiko" is good too.
Musashi (my favorite book, huge for people who have lots of potential and are having a hard time dealing with people close to them because of it) - http://www.amazon.com/Musashi-Eiji-Yoshikawa/dp/4770019572/r...
Taiko (start with Musashi, if you like it a lot, pick up Taiko) - http://www.amazon.com/Taiko-Eiji-Yoshikawa/dp/4770026099/ref...
Also, finished The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing which is the best business book I've read in a long time. Short, simple, to the point. Highly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/22-Immutable-Laws-Marketing-Violate/dp...
