Try free for 30 days

Preview
  • Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation)

  • The Astonishing Story of How We Doubled Our Lifespan
  • By: Steven Johnson
  • Narrated by: Steven Johnson
  • Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation)

By: Steven Johnson
Narrated by: Steven Johnson
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $13.99

Buy Now for $13.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

A young listeners adaptation of Steven Johnson's Extra Life, the story of how humans have doubled our lifespan in less than a century—and what to do with the extra life we now have.

Humans live longer now than they ever have in their more than three hundred thousand years of existence on earth. And most (if not all) of the advances that have permitted the human lifespan to double have happened in living memory.

Extra Life looks at vaccines, seat belts, pesticides, and more, and how each of our scientific advancements have prolonged human life. This book is a deep dive into the sciences—perfect for younger listeners who enjoy modern history as well as scientific advances.

©2023 Steven Johnson (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"This book will lead students to consider what other medical, scientific, or social events are changing our life expectancy."—School Library Connection

". . . Johnson offers younger reading audiences a highlights reel of, mostly, scientific advances that have worked to reduce mortality rates—from variolation and vaccination to the controversial but famine-reducing effects of producing nitrates and chickens in industrial quantities. . . A refreshing change of pace for readers weary of hearing that things are just getting worse."—Kirkus

". . . a fascinating look at how science and certain politics have improved human life."—Booklist

What listeners say about Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation)

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.