Must I die?

Science writer Paul Bracken embarks on a lighthearted assessment of the human condition, to explore what it means to be mortal, and what our fate may be. This scientific reimagining of the ancient Gilgamesh quest delves into a multitude of topics including the origin of life, the workings of the human mind, and the possibilities for life prolongation.

Advance Praise

"We human beings instinctively resist the notion of personal extinction. In his thoughtful and hugely readable Gilgamesh in the 21st Century, Paul Bracken canters effortlessly through an amazing range of science to help put this fraught human proclivity in perspective, both for himself and for us."

--- Ian Tattersall
American Museum of Natural History, NY.

About the Author

"Back in the eighties, astronomer Carl Sagan established a space advocacy group called The Planetary Society, based in Pasadena, California. Author Paul Bracken was the society's representative in Ireland, and he become a leading planetary science educator and presenter. In 1993, Bracken was recognized by The Planetary Society's founders for his extraordinary initiative and effort in support of the exploration of the solar system, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Bracken now lives in California, and works in the biotechnology industry. He is also an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, exploring the cosmos from his backyard observatory, and actively contributing to NASA's Exoplanet Watch program. As a certified Climate Reality leader, Bracken works with Al Gore's Climate Reality Project to increase awareness of climate change and to encourage clean energy policies to address this planetary emergency."