Why We Die

A major exploration of the science of why and how we age and die - from a Nobel Prize-winning biologist and former president of the Royal Society.

'Utterly fascinating. Clear, enthralling and packed with insights.' BILL BRYSON

'A thrilling ride through the science of ageing and death. A must read.' STEPHEN FRY

Would you want to live forever?

Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnan transforms our understanding of why we age and die - and whether there's anything we can do about it.

We are living through a revolution in biology. Giant strides are being made in our understanding of why we age and die, and why some species live longer than others. Immortality, once a faint hope, has never been more within our grasp.

Examining recent scientific breakthroughs, Ramakrishnan shows how cutting-edge efforts to extend lifespan by altering our natural biology raise profound questions. Although we might not like it, does death serve a necessary biological purpose? And how can we increase our chances of living long, healthy and fulfilled lives? As science advances, we have much to gain. But might we also have much to lose?


‘I have so enjoyed reading this spectacular book - it’s full of hope and fun and extraordinary research. It beautifully answers the question at the core of every life. Understanding why we must die helps us understand how we must live. It changed my perspective on the whole living world but most of all myself and the time I have left.’ - Chris van Tulleken, bestselling author of Ultra-Processed People

‘Utterly fascinating. Venki Ramakrishnan’s ability to take the most challenging subjects and make them clear, enthralling and packed with insights fills me with awe.’ - Bill Bryson

‘Riveting and revealing. Why We Die takes us on a thrilling ride through the science of ageing and death. Venki Ramakrishnan, a Nobel laureate at the very cutting edge of molecular biology has an extraordinary gift for explaining the science behind ageing and death with clarity, wit and enviably entertaining narrative flair. A must-read.’ - Stephen Fry

‘Ramakrishnan’s writing is so honest, lucid and engaging.’ - Siddhartha Mukherjee, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies

‘For a book about death, Venki Ramakrishnan’s Why We Die is joyfully alive. The story he tells is one of aging and death, but along the way he covers a huge range of biology, evolution, genetics, chemistry, and medicine. This is science writing at its finest: readable, authoritative, and impactful.’ - Steve Brusatte , author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs