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The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting Hardcover – September 6, 2022

by Steve Hendricks (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 148 ratings
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A journalist delves into the history, science, and practice of fasting, an ancient cure enjoying a dynamic resurgence.

When should we eat, and when shouldn’t we? The answers to these simple questions are not what you might expect. As Steve Hendricks shows in The Oldest Cure in the World, stop eating long enough and you’ll set in motion cellular repairs that can slow aging and prevent and reverse diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Fasting has improved the lives of people with epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis, and has even protected patients from the worst of chemotherapy’s side effects.

But for such an elegant and effective treatment, fasting has had a surprisingly long and fraught history. From the earliest days of humanity and the Greek fathers of medicine through Christianity’s “fasting saints” and a 19th-century doctor whose stupendous 40-day fast on a New York City stage inaugurated the modern era of therapeutic fasting, Hendricks takes readers on a rich and comprehensive tour.

Threaded throughout are Hendricks’s own adventures in fasting, including a stay at a luxurious fasting clinic in Germany and in a more spartan one closer to home in Northern California. This is a playful, insightful, and persuasive exploration of our bodies and when we should—and should not—feed them.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harry N. Abrams
  4. Publication date
    September 6, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.75 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1419748475
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1419748479
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“An illuminating exploration of the rich and varied history—and myriad health benefits—of fasting . . . Mr. Hendricks, a freelance reporter, is a deft stylist . . . and he excels at describing the experience of going without food . . .”
―The Wall Street Journal

“[A] thought-provoking survey . . . The author weaves a fascinating personal narrative . . . with a comprehensive history of the practice, from prehistoric humans who fasted from necessity up to modern-day clinics that use it. While enthusiastic, Hendricks is careful not to oversell fasting’s benefits . . . and he pulls no punches when highlighting flaws in research, as with studies that emphasize ‘profit rather than health.’ His levelheaded, irreverent approach and sharp reporting set the book apart. The result is a winning mix of captivating storytelling and fascinating science.”
―Publishers Weekly

“Hendricks’s book is a remarkable blend of authoritative history, illuminating science, and endearing storytelling. In The Oldest Cure in the World, Hendricks gives us the wonders of fasting—too long neglected by doctors and scientists, too often misunderstood by most of us, yet so potent a therapy—with marvelous clarity, page-turning crispness, and appealing humanity.”

―Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies

“Steve Hendricks set himself the Herculean task of weaving together the long history and deep science of fasting with his own revealing self-experiments—and has succeeded brilliantly in turning out a captivating tale. The Oldest Cure in the World is an engrossing tour de force and offers a bona fide strategy for slowing the aging process.”

―Dan Buettner, New York Times–bestselling author of The Blue Zones

“Few people know that science has shown fasting is a key that unlocks ancient restorative systems and mobilizes some of the body’s most powerful regenerative mechanisms. In The Oldest Cure in the World, Steve Hendricks proves to be a master of explaining the multitude of benefits that various kinds of fasting can unleash. Fasting is a core part of my integrative cardiology practice. This book is a must-read for those looking for a long healthspan.”

―Dr. Joel Kahn, author of Your Whole Heart Solution

“A smart, narrative look at a very hot topic, offering a fascinating look at the science behind the counterintuitive concept of going without food for our health.”
―The Next Big Idea Club

“I was blown away by this book. . . . There is so much information in this book that I had never even remotely, possibly, even briefly heard of. It’s honestly mind blowing [and] a page turner. There were literally times my mouth dropped open. . . . Get the book, read it, read all of it.”―Melanie Avalon, The Intermittent Fasting Podcast

“A literary gem, with fantastic lines scattered like laugh-bombs throughout its pages. . . . What’s especially joyful about this book is Steve’s insistence on getting the science right. He argues against unsupported claims no matter where they come from: vegans, keto promoters, you name it. He doesn’t overstate the power of fasting, noting that hype is one of the enemies of widespread acceptance by the scientific community. . . . Steve Hendricks is at least three things: a tenacious reporter, a brilliant and hilarious writer, and a truly good dude.”―Howard Jacobson, Plant Yourself Podcast

“Fascinating . . . an important book.”―Boulder Daily Camera

About the Author

Steve Hendricks is a freelance reporter and the author of two previous books, one of which, The Unquiet Grave: The FBI and the Struggle for the Soul of Indian Country, made several best-of-the-year lists. He has written for Harper’s, Outside, Slate, and the Washington Post and lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife, a professor of family law, and his dog, a border collie cross.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams (September 6, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1419748475
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419748479
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.52 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 148 ratings

About the author

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Steve Hendricks

Steve Hendricks

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Steve Hendricks is a freelance reporter and author of, among other books, The Unquiet Grave: The FBI and the Struggle for the Soul of Indian Country, which made several best-of-the-year lists. He has written for Harper’s, Outside, Slate, and the Washington Post. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife, a professor of family law, and his dog, a border collie cross.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
148 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

greg wickenkamp
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, incredibly researched. Good nonfiction that's a romp to read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Steven Hendricks accomplishes many rare things with this expansive and entertaining work. Informed with multiple dissertation’s worth of research, and written in a way that is engaging and a joy to read, I imagine this book might have broad influence. It has certainly influenced the way I think about my relationship with food.

Taking a skeptical and sometimes contrarian view, Hendricks approaches the history and science of fasting, and the ideas surrounding it. His arguments come from a depth of research which is seamlessly woven into delightful narratives. The large temporal and spatial focus, combined with voluminous research and an essayist’s wit allow Hendricks to tell complicated and long histories through accessible and compelling stories. Occasionally including himself in the narrative, he takes a vulnerable, even handed, and sometimes funny approach. These thoughtfully crafted narratives allow for the text to shift from past to present, from deep historical dives to reviews of the latest scientific studies, while holding my attention.

This book will be of interest to a broad audience - scientists exploring fasting and human health, people curious about fasting or health, those who appreciate quality, creative nonfiction writing and investigative journalism, people looking for entertaining stories, and anyone who enjoys a good book.
8 people found this helpful
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Jhonatan
4.0 out of 5 stars A unique book on fasting and nutrition.
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
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I see that many reviewers complained about the extensive history provided in this book. I appreciate it, as no other book on fasting, that I have read, has explored the historical evolution of fasting with such depth. It’s unique, and not regurgitating the same information found in many books on nutrition and fasting. Even the science was insightful, and it helped me build upon my previous knowledge. I also greatly value that extensive research and provided sources. I am skeptical when bold claims are made, with no references to other works.
2 people found this helpful
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Evan G Harlow
5.0 out of 5 stars Should Be Required Reading For Doctors
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023
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Extremely well researched book. As someone who has practiced fasting on and off for a decade, it’s amazing to find a resource like this where the author is not only an investigative journalist of sorts but also has practiced fasting extensively. It really is an amazing tool in the health toolbox practiced by too few and misunderstood by too many, hopefully this book can help many people. I really appreciate the effort and depth of knowledge shared here. Would give it 10 stars, but 5 is the max!
7 people found this helpful
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Baby
3.0 out of 5 stars Good on history, light on science
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
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This is essentially a review of the history of fasting ...Hendricks' writing is smooth yet occasionally irritating ... as if he is writing with a 19th century cadence with millennial snark. I had expected the book would transition from a history to a scientific review of the current research on fasting ... but no. The nutrition and medical science in the book is chatty and anecdotal, sprinkled with Hendricks' own fasting experiences. That said, the book is worth the first chapter, a delightfully amusing recount of one man's fasting show in the late 1800s.
15 people found this helpful
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JCB
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
It's a rare book that is appropriate for both novices and experts, but The Oldest Cure fits that category admirably. Hendricks tells the story of fasting, weaving together four threads: anecdotes of fasters (both successes and failures), a fascinating history, the latest science and his own often hilarious experiences. He does so with extremely well written prose, but keeps it lighthearted. Fasting is now so popular, one wonders if this is yet another passing fad. But Hendricks argues otherwise, since it has been around thousands of years, dating back to our prehistoric ancestors and accounts that are found in the earliest written records. The Cure debunks popular myths, exposes quackery, warns of uninformed dangerous fasts, and takes a skeptical view of possible, but unproven claims. But it also illuminates the many disorders and diseases fasting can heal, as evidenced in peer reviewed science and medical studies. The digital or hard copy is perhaps the first choice for many readers, since it provides an easy resource to revisit chapters on best practices and the most recent research, but because the book is so comprehensive, it's also an enjoyable sync with Audible narration.
15 people found this helpful
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David P Nightingale
4.0 out of 5 stars great info just have to hold your nose to the author’s hubris
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
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In all honesty I have a love hate relationship with this book. The Author has so much great information on fasting in this book from the history to the science to the why. With his personal experience and all the other first hand testimonials it is really inspiring and motivating. Everyone should read this book and give fasting a try.
The problem will be many won’t finish this book. The author does not like the religious, meat eaters, capitalist and conservatives. The book is full of quips of snarky disdain for all these groups. I worry people will start reading this come across his mockery of their lifestyle roll their eyes and toss this book to the side and never get the treasure of well researched information on the importance of fasting and all we can do to heal ourselves.
This book has a potential to be a catalyst in a great change of healing and our health care system for the good.
84 people found this helpful
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Andrei W
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and altogether very impressive book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
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I knew relatively little about this book’s topic before I began reading it. After getting through only a few pages I was captivated, and by the end I was convinced that Hendricks had lifted the veil on something important and largely overlooked. Along the way I found his story informative, entertaining, and remarkably well written. I don’t know if I’ll be fasting anytime soon, but certainly recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Jirro
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, even if you never fast
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
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Steve Hendricks is an excellent story teller. This is an easy and entertaining way to gain a tremendous amount of knowledge about nutrition, healing, fasting and much more. This is my new favorite gift for family
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

ZC
5.0 out of 5 stars Rating for FabulousMedia
Reviewed in Canada on August 20, 2023
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Book arrived promptly in excellent condition.
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Suzanne
5.0 out of 5 stars informative, eye-opening, potentially life-changing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
This certainly seems a well-researched book. I enjoyed it as much for the critique of western medical care systems as for the information on fasting itself. I was so engrossed in the book I read it entirely over 2 days (normally that type of fervour is reserved for heart-stopping crime thrillers!) I would suggest reading the book cover to cover before taking any action, as the author highlights potential risks of unsupervised long fasts. But my goodness, it has certainly been an eye-opener.
2 people found this helpful
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Larry Lunchpail
3.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, but far from impartial
Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
A compelling read. Recommended. A few problems, though …
- the author is a rabid cheerleader for fasting, this book is anything but a balanced treatise
- the author loves his twenty-dollar words to the point of excess … most annoying
- the author pitches mean-spirited stereotypes (gullible Christianity, pasty Canadians, redneck caricatures, etc.)
- the author is frequently condescending
Having listed these reasons for the 3-star (rather than 5-star) review, I found this book to be a very good read. Compelling, informative, well worth the price.
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