HarperNonFiction scoops Cavendish's ageing society debut

HarperCollins will publish the debut book of broadcaster and Financial Times contributing editor Camilla Cavendish, Extra Time: Ten Lessons for an Ageing Society, in May.

The award-winning journalist explores the dramatic demographic shift facing the Western World in this “urgent, accessible and deeply human book” which contests taboos around ageing, slated for publication on 2nd May 2019.

Harper-NonFiction publisher Ed Faulkner bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Martin Redfern at Northbank Talent Management.

The book will explore how systems are “lagging woefully behind the new reality” of the ageing population. By 2020, for the first time in history, the number of people aged 65 and over will outnumber children aged five and under.

“Travelling across the world in a carefully researched and deeply human investigation, Cavendish contests many of the taboos around ageing. Interviewing leading scientists about breakthroughs which could soon transform the quality and extent of life, she sparks a debate about how governments, businesses, doctors, the media and each one of us should handle the second half of life,” the publisher said.

“She argues that if we take a more positive approach, we should be able to reap the benefits of a prolonged life and help the elderly play a fuller part in society."

A contributing editor at the Financial Times, writes for the Sunday Times and a senior fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School, Cavendish was formerly the head of the Downing Street Policy Unit and now sits in the House of Lords.

Cavendish said of her debut book: “Fast rising lifespans and falling birth rates are, for me, the big story of the 21st century. I believe we can all live longer better, without ruining the economy, but some profound changes will be needed. I've been fascinated to discover how different countries are responding to the challenge of ageing populations, and to interview so many rebels who are refusing to let age define them."

She added that working with Faulkner and his team enables her to "combine my long-standing expertise in health policy with a very personal quest to discover how my own parents’ lives could have been different".

Faulkner described Cavendish as an “outstanding writer”. He added: “The challenges of our ageing society are issues that affect us all and there is no one better qualified to write this urgent, accessible and deeply human book.”