Experts' Expert: Stephen Cave names the five best works about immortality

The British philosopher's new book, "Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization," was published last month.

In an interview with The Browser, he related his choices for the best titles on the subject and why he selected each.

Cave's picks:

1. "The Epic of Gilgamesh" — anonymous

2. "Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion" — Alan F. Segal

3. "Escape From Evil" — Ernest Becker

4. "The Mortal Coil: A Short History of Living Longer" — David Boyd Haycock

5. "The Immortal" (short story) — Jorge Luis Borges