The promise of a longer life has captivated humans for centuries, even before the first person set out to find the Fountain of Youth. But promises of life extension have long reeked of snake oil, and despite our wishful thinking, most of us regard it as an impossible dream.

In The Youth Pill, science writer David Stipp explores the history of efforts to slow aging, which have been plagued by fits and starts that have led to dead ends, not to mention countless disillusioning hoaxes. But as Stipp shows, we may now be much closer than we think. He takes us behind the scenes and introduces us to key players - in both science and business - who are experimenting with the most promising cutting-edge research to retard the aging process.

This is an informative and provocative book that shows how a small group of optimistic and determined scientists are closing in on drugs that will change the way we live forever.