How Peter Attia Wrote His First Book
How I Write
Deep Dive
What challenges did Peter Attia face while writing his first book?
Peter faced significant challenges, including feeling abandoned by his agent, receiving a threatening email from his publisher demanding delivery by April, and struggling with the emotional toll of the process. He also had to navigate the complexities of balancing scientific rigor with accessibility for a lay audience.
Why does Peter Attia emphasize storytelling in his book?
Peter emphasizes storytelling because he believes stories anchor readers to the concepts being discussed. He contrasts the current medical system (Medicine 2.0) with his vision for the future (Medicine 3.0) through narratives, making complex ideas more relatable and memorable.
How did Peter Attia structure his book to ensure clarity and accessibility?
Peter structured his book by moving from objective to strategy to tactics, ensuring readers could follow a clear progression of ideas. He also used frameworks within chapters, such as the 'Centenarian Decathlon,' to make abstract concepts concrete and actionable.
What role did Peter Attia's co-author play in the book's development?
Peter's co-author, Bill Gifford, played a crucial role in refining the book's structure, tone, and depth. They often debated how technical to make certain sections, with Peter pushing for deeper explanations and Bill advocating for simplicity. This dynamic helped strike a balance between scientific rigor and readability.
How did Peter Attia ensure the scientific accuracy of his book?
Peter ensured scientific accuracy by hiring a fact-checker to verify both the facts and their interpretations. He also relied on his research team to cross-reference studies and provide citations, ensuring the book's content was both rigorous and reliable.
What was Peter Attia's approach to writing about emotionally charged topics?
Peter approached emotionally charged topics by drawing from his personal experiences and journal entries. He spent a year writing the final chapter, which dealt with deeply personal themes, and worked with his co-author to distill the narrative to its most impactful elements.
Why did Peter Attia include the 'Centenarian Decathlon' in his book?
Peter included the 'Centenarian Decathlon' as a practical framework to help readers define specific health goals for their later years. By focusing on tangible objectives, such as lifting a grandchild or walking 18 holes of golf, he aimed to make long-term health planning more concrete and actionable.
How did Peter Attia manage the extensive research and references for his book?
Peter managed the extensive research and references by relying on his research team, led by Bob Kaplan. They fact-checked every study and ensured the interpretations were accurate. Peter also used his memory to recall key studies and requested his team to verify them.
What was Peter Attia's goal in writing a book that would remain relevant for a decade?
Peter aimed to write a book that would remain relevant for a decade by focusing on timeless principles of health and longevity, such as the 'Four Horsemen' of chronic disease. He avoided overemphasizing tactics, which evolve quickly, and instead highlighted strategies and frameworks that endure.
How did Peter Attia balance technical detail with readability in his book?
Peter balanced technical detail with readability by working closely with his co-author to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy. They often debated how deep to go into scientific explanations, ultimately finding a middle ground that made the content accessible while maintaining rigor.
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