Embark on a captivating journey that will fundamentally change how you see cancer—and perhaps life itself. Cancer is more than a disease. It is an integral part of who we are—complex biological and cultural beings with a limited life span. You will be surprised, challenged, and even amused by this eloquent synthesis of knowledge. Firmly rooted in science and the principles of evolution, this book is a must-read if you aim to understand cancer.

Jarle Breivik (MD, PhD, EdD) is a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo and a former Fulbright Scholar with a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. He is internationally recognized for his research on the evolutionary dynamics of cancer. His thought-provoking analyses represented in The New York Times, Scientific American, PNAS, EMBO Reports, and Wired Magazine, and have stimulated a profound debate about cancer, research, and biotechnology. In this book, Dr. Breivik brings it all together in a captivating story about humanity.

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“This remarkable book is not simply about cancer. It is a beautiful story about what it means to be human. It took me places I had never thought of and ended on a cliff hanger about the future of our civilization. I eagerly await the follow-up.”

—RICHARD SMITH, former Editor-in-Chief, The BMJ (British Medical Journal)

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“This book grabbed me like a thriller! As a cancer patient, I have asked many questions. My father also had bladder cancer, and my brother died of leukemia. This book helped me understand and accept.”

—ELIN SCHIVE, cancer survivor

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“With his panoramic view of cancer, Breivik’s brilliant writing and thought-provoking reflections will captivate both laypeople and researchers. A must-read that skillfully connects the life sciences in an illuminating manner.”

—MANUEL PERUCHO, professor em., Sanford Burnham Prebys, and Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer.

River Grove Books

Published audiobooks