"An anthropologist uncovers new evidence for the evolutionary origins of human longevity-and
explains why growing old is an opportunity not a burden. Our ability to live for decades may
seem like a modern luxury made possible by clean water and advances in medicine. In fact human
longevity is a legacy of our unique evolutionary path as a species. Seven Decades challenges
the belief that life in the past was "nasty brutish and short " tracing how our capacity for
long life came to be and transforming how we think about aging. Blending vivid storytelling
with cutting-edge science anthropologist Michael Gurven weaves tales from his years of field
experience among Indigenous societies whose diet and traditional lifeways are closer to how we
all lived prior to industrialization demonstrating how these communities are relatively free
of the chronic diseases of aging such as heart disease dementia and diabetes. He provides
compelling evidence that our longevity first evolved among our hunting and gathering ancestors
and shows how the human body was built to last around seven decades. At a time when people are
more likely to live to old age than ever before Gurven discusses how we can harness this
amazing evolutionary feat through a shift in societal values one that balances self-reliance
with interdependence nurtures multigenerational ties prioritizes women's health and longevity
and enables us to rediscover the wisdom of our elders.Sharing bold new perspectives on human
ageing Seven Decades draws important lessons from our ancestral history bridging the past
with the present to reveal what healthy happy and productive old age could look like for all
generations"-- Provided by publisher.
