Steve Hendricks is an excellent story teller. This is an easy and entertaining way to gain a tremendous amount of knowledge about nutrition, healing, fasting and much more. This is my new favorite gift for family

I knew relatively little about this book’s topic before I began reading it. After getting through only a few pages I was captivated, and by the end I was convinced that Hendricks had lifted the veil on something important and largely overlooked. Along the way I found his story informative, entertaining, and remarkably well written. I don’t know if I’ll be fasting anytime soon, but certainly recommend this book.

I see that many reviewers complained about the extensive history provided in this book. I appreciate it, as no other book on fasting, that I have read, has explored the historical evolution of fasting with such depth. It’s unique, and not regurgitating the same information found in many books on nutrition and fasting. Even the science was insightful, and it helped me build upon my previous knowledge. I also greatly value that extensive research and provided sources. I am skeptical when bold claims are made, with no references to other works.

This is essentially a review of the history of fasting ...Hendricks' writing is smooth yet occasionally irritating ... as if he is writing with a 19th century cadence with millennial snark. I had expected the book would transition from a history to a scientific review of the current research on fasting ... but no. The nutrition and medical science in the book is chatty and anecdotal, sprinkled with Hendricks' own fasting experiences. That said, the book is worth the first chapter, a delightfully amusing recount of one man's fasting show in the late 1800s.

Extremely well researched book. As someone who has practiced fasting on and off for a decade, it’s amazing to find a resource like this where the author is not only an investigative journalist of sorts but also has practiced fasting extensively. It really is an amazing tool in the health toolbox practiced by too few and misunderstood by too many, hopefully this book can help many people. I really appreciate the effort and depth of knowledge shared here. Would give it 10 stars, but 5 is the max!

It's a rare book that is appropriate for both novices and experts, but The Oldest Cure fits that category admirably. Hendricks tells the story of fasting, weaving together four threads: anecdotes of fasters (both successes and failures), a fascinating history, the latest science and his own often hilarious experiences. He does so with extremely well written prose, but keeps it lighthearted. Fasting is now so popular, one wonders if this is yet another passing fad. But Hendricks argues otherwise, since it has been around thousands of years, dating back to our prehistoric ancestors and accounts that are found in the earliest written records. The Cure debunks popular myths, exposes quackery, warns of uninformed dangerous fasts, and takes a skeptical view of possible, but unproven claims. But it also illuminates the many disorders and diseases fasting can heal, as evidenced in peer reviewed science and medical studies. The digital or hard copy is perhaps the first choice for many readers, since it provides an easy resource to revisit chapters on best practices and the most recent research, but because the book is so comprehensive, it's also an enjoyable sync with Audible narration.

I thought this was an interesting history of fasting, but I agree with an earlier reviewer’s comments that the disdain the author has for non-vegans, people of faith, and political conservatives certainly detracts from the message he intends to convey. Nowhere does he address that T. Colin Campbell’s China Study has been debunked as a foundation for the vegan movement (if not an outright fraud), or even mention the most exciting developments in fasting revealed by Dr. Jason Fung, or the research stemming from the Nobel Prize winner in 2016 on autophagy and ketones. Instead of giving us the whole story, we are treated to a view of his prejudices. I give it four stars for an entertaining read on an important topic, but would rate it less on reporting current science of fasting.

Steven Hendricks accomplishes many rare things with this expansive and entertaining work. Informed with multiple dissertation’s worth of research, and written in a way that is engaging and a joy to read, I imagine this book might have broad influence. It has certainly influenced the way I think about my relationship with food. Taking a skeptical and sometimes contrarian view, Hendricks approaches the history and science of fasting, and the ideas surrounding it. His arguments come from a depth of research which is seamlessly woven into delightful narratives. The large temporal and spatial focus, combined with voluminous research and an essayist’s wit allow Hendricks to tell complicated and long histories through accessible and compelling stories. Occasionally including himself in the narrative, he takes a vulnerable, even handed, and sometimes funny approach. These thoughtfully crafted narratives allow for the text to shift from past to present, from deep historical dives to reviews of the latest scientific studies, while holding my attention. This book will be of interest to a broad audience - scientists exploring fasting and human health, people curious about fasting or health, those who appreciate quality, creative nonfiction writing and investigative journalism, people looking for entertaining stories, and anyone who enjoys a good book.