Research on aging used to be a stagnant backwater surrounded by charlatans. According to author David Stipp, the discovery circa 1990 of gene mutations that can slow aging in animals revealed that the rate of aging is astoundingly plastic and, just as surprising, is controlled by genes that are almost as old as life itself. The discovery of such “gerontogenes” began the field’s transformation into a hot topic and helped convince its leading scientists that anti-aging drugs are achievable. Stipp, a science writer formerly with Fortune and the Wall Street Journal, tells the story of the transformation of the field and the scientists behind it, revealing how findings on gerontogenes, the anti-aging effect of calorie restriction, the link between dwarfism and longevity, the secrets of weirdly long-lived animals, and revelations from the study of human centenarians are coming together in a way that promises to radically shrink death’s dominion. He also explores the larger social and economic implications of this prospect, which could change life more than any other medical advance on the horizon. Stipp can be reached at 781-859-5254 and http://davidstipp.com. Press representative for the book is Christy D’Agostini at christy.dagostini@us.penguingroup.com.