THERE S no magic route to living a longer healthier life – the subject of Peter Altman s new book Stayin Alive. Biochemist Peter is a scientist first and foremost although his hobby – perhaps as a reaction to the hard science – involves magic tricks. Pet

THERE'S no magic route to living a longer healthier life - the subject of Peter Altman's new book Stayin' Alive.

Biochemist Peter is a scientist first and foremost although his hobby - perhaps as a reaction to the hard science - involves magic tricks.

Peter, 68, a member of the Magic Circle, from Ash Copse, Bricket Wood, St Albans, said: "I know there's lots of books about how to stay healthy but this is very simple and easy to understand even though it is science-based."

Dr Sara Jarvis, the TV and radio doctor, wrote the foreword saying: "This book doesn't offer miracle cures or quick fixes; it doesn't pretend to have all the answers. But it does give you all the facts without the flannel, and lets you make up your own mind what to do with them

Want to get healthier one step at a time? This book is a good place to start."

What he has done is bound to appeal to male readers especially in comparing the working parts of a body to that of a car - perhaps being in need of an MOT from time to time.

Peter worked for 20 years in medical research, got made redundant, joined a medical publishing company in 1983 then got made redundant again in 1998. That's when he decided to set up his own publishing firm called The Medical Press. Peter and his wife Joan have two children and four grandchildren.

It is published through Peter's own publishing firm and costs �4.99 complete with colour pictures and charts

The book is available through branches of Waterstones or can be ordered through Amazon.