Cave has produced a strikingly original and compelling exploration of the age-old conundrum: Can we live forever, and do we really want to?John Horgan, science journalist and author of The End of War
Immortality is a fascinating history of mans greatest obsession and poses a stunning theory of society. The Daily Beast
In Immortality Stephen Cave tells wonderful stories about one of humanitys oldest desires and comes to a wise conclusion. Stefan Klein, author of The Science of Happiness and The Secret Pulse of Time
A beautifully clear and entertaining look at life after death. Cave does not shrink from the hard questions. Bold and thought-provoking. Eric Olson, author of The Human Animal and What Are We?
A must-read exploration of what spurs human ingenuity. Every once in a while a book comes along that catches me by surprise and provides me with an entirely new lens through which to view the world. . . . Such is the case with Stephen Caves book Immortality. . . . Cave presents an extremely compelling caseone that has changed my view of the driving force of civilization as much as Jared Diamond did years ago with his brilliant book Guns, Germs and Steel.S. Jay Olshanksy, New Scientist magazine
Informed and metaphysically nuanced. . . . Cave presents his arguments in a brisk, engaging style, and draws effectively upon a wide-ranging stock of religious, philosophical, and scientific sources, both ancient and contemporary. Weekly Standard
In his survey of the subject, Stephen Cave, a British philosopher, argues that mans various tales of immortality can be boiled down into four basic narratives. . . . For the aspiring undying, Mr Cave unfortunately concludes that immortality is a mirage. But his demolition project is fascinating in its own right. . . . If anything, readers might want more of Mr. Caves crisp conversational prose. The Economist
Cave explains how the seeking of immortality is the foundation of human achievement, the wellspring of art, religion and civilization. . . . .The author is rangy and recondite, searching the byways of elixirs, the surprises of alchemy, the faith in engineering and all the wonder to be found in discussions of life and death. . . . Luminous. Kirkus Reviews
A dramatic and frequently surprising story of the pursuit of immortality and its effects on human history. Booklist
Cave is smart, lucid, elegant and original. Immortality is an engaging read about our oldest obsession, and how that obsession propels some of our greatest accomplishments. Greg Critser, author of Eternity Soup
An epic inquiry into the human desire to defy deathand how to overcome it. Cave traces the histories of each of his four immortality narratives through the worlds great religions, heroes, leaders, thinkers and stories. Its an epic tale of human folly, featuring a cast of characters including Gilgamesh, Dante, Frankenstein, the King of Qin, Alexander the Great and the Dalai Lama. Cave, a Berlin-based writer and former diplomat, is an admirably clear elucidator, stripping down arguments to their essences and recounting them without any unnecessary jargon. The Financial Times
Immortality plumbs the depths of the human mind and ties the quest for the infinite prolongation of life into the very nature of civilization itself. Cave reveals remarkable depth and breadth of learning, yet is always a breeze to read. I thoroughly enjoyed his bookits a really intriguing study. David Boyd Haycock, author of Mortal Coil and A Crisis of Brilliance
[Caves] sort of nonfiction writing is exciting. It gets the juices flowing and draws one into the material. What Cave does so well throughout Immortality is to take the reader by the hand and carefully guide her or him through each concept, ensuring understanding before exploring assorted variations and difficulties. Hes writing for searchers, not people collecting knock em-dead refutations of positions theyve already rejected. And his appeal is to intellectual curiosity. The Humanist
I loved this. Cave has set himself an enormous task and accomplished itin spades. Establishing a four-level subject matter, he has stuck to his guns and never let up. As he left one level and went to the next, I was always a little worried: Would he be able to pull it off? This was especially true as he approached the end. There is a sense in which each level, as he left it smoking in the road, looked easy as he started the next. In fact, the last level, while it is the most difficult, is the best, the most satisfying. I am happy to live in the world Cave describes. Charles Van Doren, author of A History of Knowledge
This book by Stephen Cave offers a helpful framework for understanding the various different kinds of immortality. Cave employs this framework to analyze these types of immortality and to argue that the quest for immortality is misguided. Caves insights throughout the book are deep, and his argumentation is compelling and well-informed by all of the relevant literature. It is also a beautifully written and highly accessible book. I recommend it highly.John Martin Fischer leader of the Templeton Foundation's Immortality Project, and author of Near-Death Experiences
The rest is here:
Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization ...
- Messages of Hope from a 2,800 Year Old Man [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Kumbh Mela 2010 - the Festival of Immortals [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Census Finds 157 Year Old Woman in Indonesia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2010]
- Happy 130th Birthday Antisa Khvichava ! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2010]
- Anyone Have Any Samples of These Ancient Symbols / Letters? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Is this a 2,500 Year Old Coin? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Knights Templar Benediction [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2010]
- My Interview on the Mysterious Universe has Been Posted. Where is the Evidence? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Time Traveler in Charlie Chaplin Film [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Time Traveler in Charlie Chaplin Film - Last Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Remote Viewing - Remote Sending Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2010]
- Eating Out vs Eating In [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Better Ways to Answer “How are You?” [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- She’s in Fashion [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Major Book Status Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Celine Dion - Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- DJ Fresh 'The Immortal' - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- "Highlander (1986)" Theatrical Trailer #1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- DJERV ~ IMMORTAL - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Solitary Experiments - Immortal (Single Edit) (Video) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- MyGrain - Of Immortal Aeons music video HD - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality (London '09) HD - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Blade of the Immortal - Criminal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- My Immortal, a very dramatic reading of chapter 17. - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Can a blood test really tell you when you'll die? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Seeking immortality - Doctor Who - BBC classic sci-fi - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Blade of the Immortal - Conquest - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Harry Potter -Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- Immortal (2004) Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- [New]Thomas J. Bergersen - Immortal - Two Steps From Hell (2011) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- StarCraft 2 - Immortal Quotes - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Immortal (Adema) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- City Of The Fallen - Immortality (From Volume 2 - Exsilium) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Freddy Krueger's Immortality - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Immortal Technique - the prophecy - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2011]
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - Official Trailer - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- Immortal Serpent - Morgana (2006) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- ATMA - IMMORTAL BRILLIANCE - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- Immortal - The Rise of Darkness - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- 18. The badness of death, Part III; Immortality, Part I - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- 7. Plato, Part II: Arguments for the immortality of the soul - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- Immortal Technique - Death March *Lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2011]
- My Immortal; The Series Part 1! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- DDM - Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality (SBD) - 4.12.94 Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2011]
- Happy Rhodes - Bee Gees' Immortality (New Haven house gig) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2011]
- Justin Beener COH vs Landa ARB @ Battles for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- 'Immortality' by Coca Brew - High Risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Minecraft - "The Fountain of Immortality" Episode 1 - YU No Lever? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Minecraft: The Fountain Of Immortality Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- jlhe's IMMORTALITY AND UTOPIA DELUSIONS - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Let's Play - Fountain of Immortality - Ep.1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- My Immortal - Chapter Thirty Seven - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortal Antichrist - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- The GUNN Shop - EpicMealHat | Immortal | Pool Sex | The Last of Us - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- IMMORTALITY AND THE PROGRAM OF AGING - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortality - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortal HD Plays Facade - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Two Steps From Hell - Immortal Avenger (Nero) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Two Steps From Hell - Immortal Avenger (Archangel) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Physical immortality conquering death - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- The (R)evolution of Immortal Technique (Trailer #1) [2011] Official Documentary - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Evanescence - My Immortal lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Alfredo EEK vs Juan HyE @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Dannyy vs Alex @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Oscar COH vs Vampiro @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Troll Science IRL 1 - Immortality in 3 simple steps - Troll physics/logic/science - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Kurl-e LK vs Alexisz MTUSA @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- [Battlescape]Immortality | Saturday Trip 07/01/12 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Lord Vadermort is Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- [110709] Immortal Song 2 Hongki , Heechul ( no edit) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- The Spektrum - Diatharna Thoron (The Seeds of Immortality) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Johnny EDU vs Rango @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Lil Rex LK vs Pato @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Troy - Achilles Speech - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2012]
- Djokovic closes in on sporting immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2012]
- Belichick and Brady playing for Super Bowl immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]