Questioning why we sleep has been a human preoccupation for centuries. In Why We Sleep, neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker provides a comprehensive view of the latest scientific findings on sleep, what it is good for, and how to get more of it. Walker argues that insufficient or poor-quality sleep can profoundly affect our daily lives in ways that range from making us grumpy and foggyheaded to significantly increasing our risk of developing chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, obesity—and even Alzheimer’s disease. Poor slumber also takes an annual toll in fires (including those caused by faulty Christmas decorations), car crashes due to driver fatigue, industrial disasters owing to drowsy workers . . . even suicides. Amazingly enough given all this evidence amassed over many years by scientists from around the globe who often compete with one another tooth-and-nail ferociously as they vie for research grants (or “sleep bucks,” as Walker calls them) much about slumber remains shrouded in mystery: WhatAre Dreams? Who Decides When We Fall Asleep? Is It Possible To Overdose On Sleep? Can Sleeping Pills Be Deadly? Do Animals Nap And If So For How Long? In trying to answer these questions and many more, Walker weaves together the latest scientific findings on sleep with.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who wants to learn more about the science behind sleep and dreams. Walker provides a comprehensive view of the latest findings, which range from how lack of sleep can affect our daily lives to why animals nap.
Pros :
- Focuses on how sleep affects our everyday lives
- Reviews the latest scientific findings on sleep
- Written by a neuroscientist and sleep expert
Cons :
- It can be dense at times
- It may contain too much information for some people
- Some of the findings are not conclusive
Learn more about the author
Matthew Walker is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.
Reader Reviews
“Fascinating . . . a tour of cutting-edge sleep science.”
“Superb…a tour de force”
“A must-read for anyone interested in the science of sleep, and how it can improve your life.”
“A tour de force . . . Walker has thoughtfully synthesized a vast body of scientific research on sleep, written in an engaging and accessible style, and delivered it all with the punch of a good novel. Why We Sleep is must-reading for anyone who wants to understand the mysteries of slumber.”
