David Bainbridge is a vet with a particular interest in evolutionary zoology - and he has just turned forty. As well as the usual concerns about greying hair, failing eyesight and goldfish levels of forgetfulness, he finds himself pondering some bigger questions: have I come to the end of my productive life as a human being? And what I am now for? By looking afresh at the latest research from the fields of anthropology, neuroscience, psychology, and reproductive biology, it seems that the answers are surprisingly, reassuringly encouraging. In clear, engaging and amiable prose, Bainbridge explains the science behind the physical, mental and emotional changes men and women experience between the ages of 40 and 60, and reveals the evolutionary - and personal - benefits of middle age, which is unique to human beings and helps to explain the extraordinary success of our species. Middle Age will change the way you think about mid-life, and help turn the 'crisis' into a cause for celebration.
Middle Age: A Natural History
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Looking beyond the clichés, veterinary surgeon and reproductive biologist David Bainbridge, who teaches at Cambridge, sets out to discover what middle age is and what it is for . Most of us could have a pretty good stab at the first question, but the latter is where Middle Age gets interesting. Middle age is uniquely human and therefore, evolutionarily speaking, must serve a purpose. Bainbridge's answer lies in the size of the brain and our need for food and ideas with which to feed it ... a fascinating idea. --Financial Times
Fascinating … In almost every area of his research, Bainbridge proposes several possible, sometimes contradictory, answers. As is the way with evolutionary theories, this often raises more questions than it answers, which could be annoying but is actually thought-provoking and should certainly shed some new light on one's own potbellied or menopausal mid-life crisis. --Evening Standard
There's lots of good news for the middle aged ... A very jolly book with clear scientific explanations --Daily Telegraph
Fascinating … In almost every area of his research, Bainbridge proposes several possible, sometimes contradictory, answers. As is the way with evolutionary theories, this often raises more questions than it answers, which could be annoying but is actually thought-provoking and should certainly shed some new light on one's own potbellied or menopausal mid-life crisis. --Evening Standard
There's lots of good news for the middle aged ... A very jolly book with clear scientific explanations --Daily Telegraph
About the Author
DAVID BAINBRIDGE was trained in veterinary surgery and zoology at Cambridge University, where he now teaches Clinical Veterinary Anatomy. He is the author of four previous books: on pregnancy, on the biology of sex and sexuality, on the brain, and most recently Teenagers (Portobello, 2009).www.davidbainbridge.org
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another clear, humourous thoughtful piece of writing from David Bainbridge
28 Aug 2012
By elfinspace
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read (and benefitted from!) his book on Teenagers, I was already well disposed towards other writings by David Bainbridge. I wasn't disappointed. Clear, accessible science without being patronising; an honest appraisal of the positives and negatives of ageing. One I shall read again.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Bluearmy
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This an often witty but always interesting look at the human body as we pass through middle age, from a purely scientific point of view. How have we evolved a middle age and why? Are we alone in the animal kingdom in having a period of middle age when our biology changes, something between young adulthood and old age?
The answer seems to be yes and the reasons why are fascinating. A good read, if you can still see the words without reaching for those specs.
The answer seems to be yes and the reasons why are fascinating. A good read, if you can still see the words without reaching for those specs.
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A man finds his teenage children tiresome. So he writes a jokey pseudo-scientific book about middle age, which he defines as beginning and ending surprisingly young. And drags in a few poorly understood Darwinian 'explanations' to back up his 'theories' (they don't). Okay for a long flight, I suppose.
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