A fascinating work of popular philosophy and history that both enlightens and entertains; Stephen Cave’s Immortality investigates whether it just might be possible to live forever and whether we should want to. But it also makes a powerful argument; which is that it’s our very preoccupation with defying mortality that drives civilization. Central to this book is the metaphor of a mountaintop where one can find the Immortals. Since the dawn of humanity; everyone – whether they know it or not – has been trying to climb that mountain. But there are only four paths up its treacherous slope; and there have only ever been four paths. Throughout history; people have wagered everything on their choice of the correct path; and fought wars against those who’ve chosen differently. While Immortality takes the reader on an eye-opening journey from the beginnings of civilization to the present day; the structure is not chronological. Rather it is path driven. As each path is revealed to us; an historical figure serves as our guide. In drawing back the curtain on what compels humans to “keep on keeping on;†Cave engages the reader in a number of mind-bending thought experiments. He teases out the implications of each immortality gambit; asking; for example; how long a person would live if they did manage to acquire a perfectly disease-free body. Or what would happen if a super-being tried to round up the atomic constituents of all who’ve died in order to resurrect them. Or what our loved ones would really be doing in heaven if it does exist. Or what part of us actually lives in a work of art; and how long that work of art can survive. Toward the the book’s end; we’re confronted with a series of brain-rattling questions: What would happen if tomorrow humanity discovered that there is no life but this one? Would people continue to care about their favorite sports team; please their boss; vie for the title of Year’s Best Salesman? Would three-hundred-year projects still get started? If the four paths up the Mount of the Immortals lead nowhere -- if there is no getting up to the summit -- is there still reason to live? And can civilization survive? Immortality is a deeply satisfying book; as optimistic about the human condition as it is insightful about the true arc of history.
#48645 in Books imusti 2016-10-25 2016-10-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.17 x 1.26 x 6.04l; 1.31 #File Name: 0307475948640 pagesVintage
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Custer Lives!By Jeff M. Schwehn"Custer Trials" by T. J. Stiles is a comprehensive; complex retrospective of the life and times of GA Custer. In-depth research; stellar prose; and balanced interpretation quickly wrap us in Custer's inner and outer mid-19th century American world. Custer's strong romantic frame of reference and self-made philosophy collide against America's increasingly rational meritocracy creating the dynamic irony of a life straddling two worlds. Custer's checkered personality and history are explored in the context of family; marriage; military action and civilian politics. Such are Custer's strengths and weaknesses; successes and failures that when he rides out of our sight on his final Indian campaign any outcome seems possible. This gem of a biography is a must read.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. I enjoy the history of the westBy Rick PhillipsI enjoy the history of the west. I have been to the little big horn twice. I have read many books on Lt. Col Custer. This book gives very good insights into Custer's life including the Civil war up to the Little Big Horn. I believe it secures his legacy as a war hero. It also explains how he fit into the 1860s to the 1870s.The period was a time of cronyism and political favors. Custer seemed to fit into that. I would not draw the same conclusions the author did but I would recommend reading it with an open mind.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Man of Changing TimesBy BirdmanTypically well detailed by Stiles; this book describes how the very complex Custer was very much a man of the times; and those times were changing so fast that he found it difficult to adjust. Not a perfect man; especially when having to deal with the heroic celebrity placed on him by the press; some of those character flaws started to erode his status; especially his feelings towards african-americans and native americans. He is still somewhat unlikable for me; but I understand him better now.
