The Life Project

The Life Project

The Extraordinary Story of Our Ordinary Lives

Summary

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2017 ORWELL PRIZE

The remarkable story of a unique series of studies that have touched the lives of almost everyone in Britain today


On 3rd March 1946 a survey began that is, today, the longest-running study of human development in the world, growing to encompass six generations of children, 150,000 individuals and some of the best-studied people on the planet. The simple act of observing human life has changed the way we are born, schooled, parent and die, irrevocably altering our understanding of inequality and health. This is the tale of these studies; the scientists who created and sustain them, the remarkable discoveries that have come from them. The envy of scientists around the world, they are one of Britain's best-kept secrets.

Reviews

  • An elegant mix of science and human drama, The Life Project was - by a considerable measure in my view - the best science book published this year
    Robin McKie, Best Science Books of 2016, Observer

About the author

Helen Pearson

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