The Longevity Project

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 Want to live longer? You've probably heard the common advice (don't work so hard, think positive thoughts, eat your broccoli, etc.) As the fascinating analysis in The Longevity Project shows, much of this advice is wrong. Based on one of the longest-running longitudinal studies ever conducted, The Longevity Project describes, in its lively and accessible pages, the personality traits most common to those who lived long lives - and how to shape them in yourself. It's a great read for anyone interested in the burgeoning research on psychology and health. -- Jean M. Twenge, author of Generation Me 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, M.D. Incredibly, no one until now has chronicled and interpreted the findings from the monumental almost century-long longevity project for the general public. Is living a long life associated with being married, daily jogs, having a pet, or faith in God? At last, with lucid prose and rigorous yet crystal clear analysis, Professor Friedman and Professor Martin have succeeded beautifully. -- Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph. D., professor of psychology at the University of California/Riverside, and author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want The surprises in this fascinating book begin in the introduction and don't let up. I found it chock full of compelling, well substantiated evidence that is both counter-intuitive and immediately beneficial to readers. The Longevity Project is scholarly without being jargon-y and clear without sacrificing data, as the authors explain eloquently not only what we know about the keys to longevity but how we know it-and how readers can test themselves as they go along. This wise, warm book will delight and inform readers of all ages. -- Carol Tavris, Ph.D., coauthor of Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) The Longevity Project is about why some people thrive well into old age while other people become ill and die young. Psychologists Friedman and Martin go beyond the usual suggestions that it has to do with eating vegetables, avoiding stress, being happy, and exercising. They show how important it is to be persistent, responsible and conscientious. And they tell us why. Anyone interested in living a longer and healthier life ought to read this terrific book. -- Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, University of California/Irvine, and author of The Myth of Repressed Memory From this report of the results of a one-of-a-kind study of human development from birth to death over the course of nearly 100 years (from 1910 to the present) we learn that much of what we "knew" to predict longevity was wrong. The content of this book will prove fascinating, not only to social, behavioral, and clinical scientists and practitioners and their students, but to the general reading public as well. The writing is crystal clear as it compels us to go on reading because we know that there will be an illuminating vignette as an example, or another fascinating finding, just around the corner, on the next page. -- Robert Rosenthal, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California, Riverside and Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Harvard University