Library

Syndetics cover image
Image from Syndetics

Middle Age: A Natural History "Bainbridge, David"

By: Material type: TextTextPublication details: United Kingdom Granta Books 07/03/2013Description: 336 PaperbackISBN:
  • 9781846272684
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 305.244 DAV
Online resources:
Contents:
Self-help & personal development
Summary: "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."
Star ratings
    Average rating: 5.0 (1 votes)
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
General Books General Books Colombo General Stacks Non-fiction 305.244/BAI Available

Order online 		CA00015994
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A vet turns forty and discovers sound - and surprising - zoological evidence that he's about to experience the best years of his life.

Self-help & personal development

"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."

General (US: Trade)

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Introduction: A New Story of Middle Age (p. 1)
  • Part I From Savanna to Suburbia: Why middle age has never been about growing old (p. 9)
  • 1 What makes middle-aged people? (p. 11)
  • 2 What breaks middle-aged people? (p. 22)
  • 3 Are people really meant to die at forty? (p. 37)
  • 4 Why is middle age so important? (A first attempt at an answer.) (p. 48)
  • 5 Saggy? Wrinkly? Grey? Why? (p. 61)
  • 6 Middle-aged spread is normal, isn't it? (p. 76)
  • Part II Still Crazy After All These Years: The triumph of the middle-aged mind (p. 91)
  • 7 Over the hill or prime of life? (p. 93)
  • 8 Why does time speed up as you get older? (p. 110)
  • 9 Is your mind 'complete' by the time you're forty? (p. 126)
  • 10 Do middle-aged people really get sadder? (p. 139)
  • 11 Is the middle-aged mind fragile? (p. 154)
  • 12 So...what is the secret of a flourishing middle-aged mind? (p. 166)
  • Part III Older and Bolder: Romance, love, sex, babies and life after forty (p. 179)
  • 13 The end of sex? (An introduction.) (p. 181)
  • 14 Why does women's reproduction just 'switch off'? (p. 195)
  • 15 Crisis? What crisis? (p. 215)
  • 16 Should middle-aged people have babies? (p. 232)
  • 17 Is the 'empty-nest syndrome' real? (p. 246)
  • 18 Will you still love me tomorrow? (p. 258)
  • Conclusion: The View from the Summit (p. 279)
  • About the Author (p. 284)
  • Acknowledgements (p. 285)
  • Selected Bibliography (p. 286)
  • Index (p. 309)

Excerpt provided by Syndetics

In this book I want to find out what middle age is and what it is for. On our journey, we will try to define 'middle age' - that in itself is no easy matter. If you ask a doctor to define middle age, they will probably talk about the menopause. If you ask a sociologist, he may mention empty nests and tolerating teenagers. If you ask an economist, she will explain careerpeaking, maternal return to work, and provision for old age. If you ask a friend, he might tell you it was the moment he looked into the mirror and realized he was turning into a replica of his parents. But do any of those things truly define middle age any more? After all, men do not have a menopause - well, not in the same way women do. Also, many middle-aged people now care for young children, adult children, new partners' children, or no children at all. In addition, many people's careers do not peak in middle age, and many mothers return to work a long time before middle age. In short, people do so many different things with their lives that none of these oft-suggested definitions seems to crystallize the phenomenon we are trying to explain. So what is my solution? I am a reproductive biologist and a veterinary surgeon with a zoology degree, and I believe I can offer an approach to middle age that will sort out all this confusion. Excerpted from Middle Age: A Natural History by David Bainbridge All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.