A Sunday Times (UK) Best Book of the Year, Jellyfish Age Backwards, written by Nicklas Brendborg, offers a fascinating and enlightening scientific deep dive into the mysteries of immortality. The book explores how plants and animals have already unlocked the secrets to eternal life and the valuable lessons they hold for all of us.

With recent advancements in medicine and technology, our understanding of aging has expanded to encompass the animal kingdom and our own species. As humans are living longer than ever before, the desire for the elusive fountain of youth remains strong. In this captivating debut, Brendborg reveals that the key to immortality may be within our grasp. By sharing mind-bending stories from the natural world alongside our own experiences, Jellyfish Age Backwards uncovers lifespans beyond our wildest imagination and sheds light on physiological abilities that border on magic:

• There exists a Greenland shark that was 286 years old when the Titanic sank and is currently 390, surpassing the age of the United States. Scientists predict it will live for another 100 years.
• Trees and lobsters do not age in the traditional sense; they simply continue to grow larger and larger.
• Certain species have been found to have longer lifespans when exposed to specific forms of radiation, ranging from tortoises to naked mole-rats.
• A tiny species of jellyfish, no larger than a fingernail, has the ability to age forwards and backwards, starting the aging process anew when threatened.

In Jellyfish Age Backwards, molecular biologist Nicklas Brendborg explores extended life cycles in all their wondrous varieties. Drawing on cutting-edge research and stories from diverse habitats around the world, this book delves into the remarkable world of longevity. Readers will encounter individuals who have experimented with extreme fasting, a woman who edited her own DNA, ancient redwoods that have withstood the test of time for thousands of years, and the soil of Easter Island, which holds the secret to eternal youth.

Jellyfish Age Backwards serves as a heartfelt tribute to the immense power of nature and the valuable lessons we can learn from the immortal lives of Earth’s animals and plants. Discover the secrets to longevity and open your mind to the wonders that lie within this captivating book.