Global life expectancy at the conclusion of the previous big epidemic in 1920 was slightly over forty years. Humans can now expect to live for over 80 years in various regions of the world. In just one century, as a species, we have more than doubled our life expectancy. This extended longevity is one of the most astounding indicators of human development. Steven Johnson's epic account of one of humanity's greatest accomplishments, Extra Life, attempts to explain where that progress originated. How many of those extra years were a result of seatbelts, vaccines, or the decline in famines? What are the factors that are extending our lives today? Each innovation is accompanied with an uplifting tale of collaborative innovation, creative minds supported by robust networks of cooperation and public support, and committed activists battling for real change. But with all its focus on positive development, this book is also a reminder that major differences in life expectancy still exist, and that new threats loom on the horizon, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made plain. Given the extraordinary difficulties facing our public health systems, how can we prevent a decline in life expectancy? What modern innovations or measures can lessen the impact of upcoming disasters are we somehow ignoring? Extra Life is a study of how significant social change occurs and honours the heroes of public health and medicine who are all too frequently overlooked in popular histories of our time. This is the dramatic account of a revolution that has had enormous social and individual repercussions: the doubling of the average lifespan.