Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep

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Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 · rating details · 867 ratings · 200 reviews

An engrossing examination of the science behind the little-known world of sleep.

Like many of us, journalist David K. Randall never gave sleep much thought. That is, until he began sleepwalking. One midnight crash into a hallway wall sent him on an investigation into the strange science of sleep.

In Dreamland, Randall explores the research that is investigating those dark ho...more

Hardcover, 290 pages

Published August 13th 2012 by W. W. Norton & Company (first published August 6th 2012)

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Dec 01, 2012 Aaron rated it 5 of 5 stars

*A full executive summary of this book is now available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2012/08/20...

We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping, and yet, unless we are not getting enough of it, and/or are experiencing a sleeping disorder of some kind, most of us hardly ever give our sleep a second thought (other than to rue over how much precious time it takes up). Science too largely neglected sleep for the longest time, treating it mainly as a static condition during which the brain was not...more *A full executive summary of this book is now available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2012/08/20...

We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping, and yet, unless we are not getting enough of it, and/or are experiencing a sleeping disorder of some kind, most of us hardly ever give our sleep a second thought (other than to rue over how much precious time it takes up). Science too largely neglected sleep for the longest time, treating it mainly as a static condition during which the brain was not doing much of anything interesting. However, ever since rapid eye movement (REM) was discovered in the 1950's the science of sleep has really taken off, and the discoveries that have come out of it go to show that this unconscious period is more interesting than we ever could have imagined. It is these discoveries that writer David K. Randall explores in his new book 'Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep'.

The book is split into 13 chapters, with each chapter (outside of the introduction and conclusion) exploring a separate topic in the world of sleep. In the book we learn about such basics as REM sleep and the 5 stage sleep cycle, as well as the benefits of sleep and the harmful effects of sleep deprivation. It turns out that sleep is instrumental in such things as muscle regeneration, long-term memory formation, skills acquisition, problem-solving, emotional control, and creativity. Dreaming, we find, plays an important role in many of these benefits, thus making it seem far less likely that Freud was correct in thinking that dreams are actually a manifestation of subconscious wish fulfillment.

We also learn that our natural sleeping pattern is set by our circadian clock, and that many of our routines in the modern world run somewhat against this natural pattern. As it turns out, these routines not only have a negative effect on our sleep, but on our waking lives as well. Fortunately, many organizations are now beginning to take these lessons to heart, and are modifying their policies and practices to help ensure that their members are better-rested, so as to lessen the negative effects of fatigue. For instance, high schools are starting later; businesses are allowing their employees to take naps, and hiring on fatigue management consultants to help eliminate the effects of under-rested employees; sports teams are hiring trainers to ensure that their players are getting enough sleep, and to manage the difficulties of inter time-zone travel; and the military is allowing its soldiers more rest during peace time, and also monitoring and managing sleep during combat.

We also learn about the difficulties of, and the controversy surrounding putting your children to bed, and how the practice of co-sleeping (sleeping in the same bad with your infant) is making a come-back. At the same time, the tradition of sleeping in the same bed as your partner is taking a hit, as more and more couples experiment with sleeping in separate beds—and even in separate bedrooms.

Last but not least, we learn about sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea (continual waking up due to blockage of the windpipe), and the billion dollar business of treating and controlling this very distressing (and potentially deadly) disorder; sleepwalking, and the bizarre phenomenon of crimes committed while sleepwalking (including child molestation, rape, and even murder)—as well as how the justice system is dealing with these very troubling cases; and also insomnia, and the sordid history of sleeping pills—as well as the latest techniques in fighting sleeplessness, including cognitive behavioral therapy.

Fortunately, we also learn that there are several ways to improve our sleep other than with pills or therapy, such as avoiding coffee, alcohol and bright light before bed; getting some regular exercise; turning down the room temperature before bedtime (and/or taking a cool shower); and practicing some breathing techniques to help us fall asleep (one such exercise has you focus on your breathing by thinking 'in' as you inhale, and 'out' as you breathe out).

Virtually every chapter contains a treasure trove of fascinating information about the topic in question, and the author lays it all out in a very clear and interesting way. If you are curious about the world of sleep, and what science has to say about it, then you can't go wrong. A full executive summary of this book is available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2012/08/20...
A podcast discussion of the book is also available.(less)

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Oct 19, 2012 Emily Mishler rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, nonfiction

I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway.

Randall does an excellent job in keeping his book well grounded in research while also keeping in mind that sleep is still a very new and therefore uncertain science. The book is a summary of much of what is currently known and has been theorized about sleep and how it affects the mind and body. A surprisingly engaging read and very easy to understand as Randall writes in a style that accommodates the layman. While a lot of the information is fai...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club

I'm not a tremendous fan of non-fiction (unless it's history), but I found this book really interesting and a quick read. The journalist author had an episode of sleepwalking that wasn't easily explained/treated, so he started researching sleep and this book is the result. Chapter and chapter I found myself sharing bits of info. with my husband from the history of sleep (did you know people used to regularly wake in the middle of the night for about an hour and then return to their 2nd sleep?) t...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Everyday eBook rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Everyday by: Kristin Fritz

Everyone does it, but not everyone talks about it. Some do it alone, some with another person. Some do it only at night, and some do it any time the mood strikes them. Some do it with the television on, or their senses muffled by earplugs and eye masks. Some, it’s said, even do it with one eye open. People do it all different ways, sticking with whatever feels best for them. But how often does one peek into the science behind the action? Or, rather, the science under the sheets? And even then, h...more Everyone does it, but not everyone talks about it. Some do it alone, some with another person. Some do it only at night, and some do it any time the mood strikes them. Some do it with the television on, or their senses muffled by earplugs and eye masks. Some, it’s said, even do it with one eye open. People do it all different ways, sticking with whatever feels best for them. But how often does one peek into the science behind the action? Or, rather, the science under the sheets? And even then, how often do the findings make it to the curious ears of the layperson? Thanks to David K. Randall, chalk one up for pop science with Dreamland: Strange Adventures in the Science of Sleep.

It’s not often people think much about sleep – at least, not until a problem arises. It’s the impetus of sleep abnormalities that introduce many of Randall’s chapters in Dreamland. Anecdotes about dreams, health, habits, and even crimes kick off many of the lessons throughout this all-encompassing study of our nocturnal goings-on. Inspired by his own sleepwalking – and injuries sustained during the act – Randall traces the history of sleep habits in culture back to the 1700s, before the invention of artificial light, back to a time when people generally had both a “first sleep” and “second sleep” each night. (It was Edison’s invention that began to change everything, in case you’re looking for someone to blame for the move away from a practice that sounds like a lovely way to spend the night.)

From there Randall makes a case for separate spousal sleeping quarters, touches on the mostly unscientific study of dreams, the connection between sleep and excellence, the effects of sleep deprivation (it’s not pretty), how one might use their own circadian rhythm to their advantage and to the advantage of their gambling habits, the rise of sleep-aiding drugs, and more. Ultimately, Dreamland won’t tell you the meaning of your dreams, nor will it cure your insomnia. It doesn’t provide exhaustive explanations for everything that happens while one snoozes (because, well, there is no known explanation for all of it yet). But if you’ve ever been curious about some of what goes on while you’re slumbering away, or the evolution of how we came to all aim for the same eight or so hours during the same hours, more or less, David K. Randall’s Dreamland is an interesting walk down that road. Just be sure to take that walk with your eyes open.

Head to www.EverydayeBook.com for more eBook reviews (less)

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Jan 19, 2013 astried rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, thinking-about-the-world

You know how with those most important thing in life you take it for granted until it's gone? That's how I used to think about sleeping, which is not thinking about it at all. Back then I'd sleep early or late, wake up whenever I have to without a thought. Then, (ah.. the unavoidable significant moment) I had my life turned upside down. Then I started to notice that sleep ceased to be an enjoyable activity. I'd be lying dead tired but not only I couldn't fall asleep, I also have a suspicion that...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Steven Brown rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Sleep isn't a break from our lives. It's the missing third of the puzzle of what it means to be living."

I started by grousing about this book not being footnoted, but immediately found myself fascinated by this highly readable tour of various aspects of sleep and its disfunctions (having been an insomniac, how could I put it down, even at bedtime?) With a good bibliography done by chapters, it was easy to track down the references where I hoped for footnotes.

I find books on medical problems ha...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Pete Welter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I got this book after seeing in the BrainPickings Best Science books of 2012 list ( http://www.brainpickings.org/index.ph... ). BrainPickings is an excellent blog if you want a eclectic mix of well-curated resources, especially regarding creativity, design, and science.

The author got interested in the topic because personal curiosity about this own sleep struggles. Although he covers a variety of sleep topics, my main takeaway was surprise at how little we really know about sleep, and how much f...more I got this book after seeing in the BrainPickings Best Science books of 2012 list ( http://www.brainpickings.org/index.ph... ). BrainPickings is an excellent blog if you want a eclectic mix of well-curated resources, especially regarding creativity, design, and science.

The author got interested in the topic because personal curiosity about this own sleep struggles. Although he covers a variety of sleep topics, my main takeaway was surprise at how little we really know about sleep, and how much for granted (or how disrespected) the process of sleep is. I suppose the latter might be expected, as we are just coming into an age where systemic thinking - that parts are more interrelated than we think, and in often unintuitive ways - is coming into it's own. Topics like sleep, human bacterial fauna, and epigenetics are all areas where we are just beginning to understand that what we thought were relatively simple systems are actually quite deep and their influence far-reaching.

He discusses the influence of sleep on a number of areas, including overall health, cognitive functioning (or lack thereof) and physical performance. The link between sleep and creativity - the idea that thoughts get connected during sleep that we can't connect when conscious during the day - is often brought up in books on creativity. However, what I found surprising was the inverse; that when we are sleep-deprived we become significantly less able to see changed conditions or to think outside of a very narrow channel. It can explain why very smart and well-trained people sometimes demonstrate incredibly bad judgement - at least to those of us who have been getting enough sleep.

He talks about circadian rhythms and what effects them, and I found the section on teens most interesting. I had previously read of research showing that teens' clocks were turned later - and the effects that early school had on them - but Randall ties it altogether quite nicely over about 8 pages. One thing I hadn't heard before, but that makes sense with my experience (in a house with 3 teens), is that when teens awake, their melatonin levels (melatonin is the hormone most involved in sleep) taper back down more slowly than adults, meaning that when a teen takes an inordinately long time to get moving in the morning (inordinate at least compared to adults), there is a biological basis.

There's a lot more I could share, but if you are interested in understanding more about the topic of sleep, or at least getting introduced to the issues around it, then I'd highly recommend this book. The author is a writer and that shows in how easily the book flows along. It's not an academic treatise, but it is well-researched.

A bit more academic (but still written for general audience) book that deals more with individual sleep clocks (called chronotypes) and the variation between different people and groups would be Internal Time: Chronotypes, Social Jet Lag, and Why You're So Tired - another book that I'd but on my recommended list. The two books overlap to a degree, but Roenneberg is a researcher and so goes into much more depth on chronotypes.(less)

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Oct 12, 2012 Matthew Lippart rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've always had a tough time sleeping. I wake up throughout the night, toss and turn, and sometimes spend the entire night staring at the ceiling. So, naturally, I was interested in this book. Not because I thought it would cure me (this is not a book about how to get a good night's sleep, although there are tips and anecdotal stuff in here), but because I was always curious how such a biological necessity could be so difficult for millions of people. How much of sleep depends on our minds, and...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Caren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-nonfiction

This was a moderately interesting look at current research into sleep. There were a few things I hadn't read before, such as that the type of mattress you choose doesn't affect the quality of your sleep; you sleep best on the sort of mattress most familiar to you. I had already known that light affects your Circadian rhythm. While it is helpful to be exposed to natural light in the morning, shun blue screen light (TV, laptop, cell phone) at least an hour before bed. In fact, it is best to have s...more This was a moderately interesting look at current research into sleep. There were a few things I hadn't read before, such as that the type of mattress you choose doesn't affect the quality of your sleep; you sleep best on the sort of mattress most familiar to you. I had already known that light affects your Circadian rhythm. While it is helpful to be exposed to natural light in the morning, shun blue screen light (TV, laptop, cell phone) at least an hour before bed. In fact, it is best to have soft light in your home in the evening. After 10 pm, melatonin is released in your body, causing your core body temperature to drop, so it is helpful to sleep in a cool (60-66 degrees Fahrenheit) room. Exercise promotes better sleep, but it doesn't have to be strenuous exercise. In fact, it is more important that your body thinks you have had a good workout than that you have run a marathon. The brain is also tricky when it comes to sleeping pills. They may work largely because they inhibit memory formation of any restless sleep; you may think you have slept better than you actually have, and that matters. The length of sleep gained is apparently not remarkable.
The author makes the provocative statement that people actually sleep better in separate beds. It is probably best to have a little canoodle, then toddle off to individual sleeping quarters for the best quality sleep. He also explores the sleep disruptions brought by a baby in the family. Should you let the infant cry it out, or is the family bed the answer?
We all know that teens prefer to stay up late and sleep in. The world probably functions to the level of people in their prime. At age forty, REM sleep begins to decline. This become noticeable at fifty and is set at age sixty-five. Anthropologists speculate that this was a survival mechanism left from ancient times. When people slept in groups, it was helpful to have someone sleeping lightly or awake, to guard against danger. Older people tend to fall asleep around 9 pm, waking in the wee hours, with less time spent in REM sleep. It makes sense that, as someone ages and slows down, he should sleep lightly in order to be better able to wake up quickly and escape danger.
There is also a sort of afternoon slump, at around 2 pm, conducive to napping. Some cultures have a long (usually two hour) lunch break to accommodate this natural rest cycle.
The author also looks at the dangers of sleep deprivation. For some professions, such as for soldiers or airline pilots, the issue of sleep is of life and death importance, but has only recently been recognized as such.
The author became interested in this topic as a result of his own sleep walking episode. He delves into examples of bizarre sleep walking behavior, such as murder. Is a person responsible for a murder committed while he was asleep? The responses of juries to that question are uneven.
My biggest problems with this book were the lack of an index and the quality of the editing/proofreading. Despite the fact that, in his acknowledgements, he credits two editors and a copyeditor, I found some really glaring errors. For example, on page 111: "Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, a Hungarian scientist who won a Noble Prize in 1937..." and on page 64: "But out of the more than thirty thousand studies he found that looked at human sleep, couples, or marriage, only nine breached the topic of sharing a mattress." These are shortcomings I attribute to the publisher, not the author. (less)

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Oct 08, 2012 Nerissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book and a quick read, although I rarely got through a full chapter in one sitting because I was normally reading at night and (surprise!) would get tired. This book is chock full of information, but written in a way that it feels accessible and mostly understandable. There were a number of times that I read paragraphs twice to understand what the author was getting at and why it didn't contradict the previous paragraph, but it all worked out in the end.

It makes you thin...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Zahir rated it 3 of 5 stars

David Randall takes us into the mysterious and fascinating world of sleep. He takes us through a journey that starts with his personal account of waking up after hitting his leg while sleepwalking, into some of the biology that occurs when we go to sleep, and what effect that sleep and rest has on our ability to function. What Randall does exceptionally well is he writes for the layman, and does not lose a non-scientific reader like myself by including too many scientific details or explanations...more David Randall takes us into the mysterious and fascinating world of sleep. He takes us through a journey that starts with his personal account of waking up after hitting his leg while sleepwalking, into some of the biology that occurs when we go to sleep, and what effect that sleep and rest has on our ability to function. What Randall does exceptionally well is he writes for the layman, and does not lose a non-scientific reader like myself by including too many scientific details or explanations. Instead, this book is a good combination of the science behind sleep, and commentary on how it affects our lives.

The strongest part of this book is that Randall gives us a good background into sleep science, as well as the way society views sleep. Some of the history is fascinating.. up until a little over a century ago, normal human sleep was divided into two phases: first sleep occurred when people went to bed around sundown, woke up around midnight or a little later and stayed up for an hour just thinking or doing whatever, then slept again until sunrise. When human beings are removed from artificial lights, we normally resume this type of divided sleep pattern.

Randall then takes us into several different areas, talking about what happens in the brain during sleep, what is sleepwalking and other sleeping disorders, and how lack of sleep very seriously affects our ability to function at peak levels. The discussion on sleepwalking, and how people have done very bizarre things in their sleep (including killing people) is fascinating. The discussion on how the law sees people who allegedly commit crimes in their sleep is the most interesting part of the book. His later analysis and commentary on how the profound effects of sleep deprivation is largely overlooked and ignored by society is excellent.

Randall then goes into concept of dreaming, and how Freudian theories on the interpretations of dreams has pretty much been debunked. He goes into modern theories of dreams, and how it's our brain's way of sifting through raw data from our senses, and discarding the useless, but then properly storing away the useful stuff. He includes some very interesting research and discussion.

The latter parts of the book get a little slow, as he goes into certain types of sleeping disorders, and how scientists came up with treatments for sleep apnea using CPAP machines. Despite the slowdown at the end, the book is a quick and pretty interesting read. (less)

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Oct 11, 2012 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012books, nonfiction, library

I wish there were footnotes instead of endnotes for this book. (Actually, I wish that about all books. Footnotes are awesome.) I felt like this was a good overview of the current research about sleep medicine, but it did not really get into next steps, or future solutions. The writing style was great, though, very easy to read.

I wish more people (and by people I mean corporations) took sleeping more seriously. Especially since it can affect so many areas of health. I really hate the macho Ameri...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Ray rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Ray by: Constance

Shelves: science, medical

Quick easy and interesting read. There were so many anecdotes and "facts" about sleeping. Anyone can relate because everyone sleeps. Prior to reading this book, I wondered if it was possible to have half the brain sleep at a time, but apparently, it wasn't original since DARPA already tried and failed to figure that out. Since several ideas in the book are hypotheses, there are some views that I don't totally agree with and have my own hypotheses about, but it's interesting to read the author's...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Carole rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was certainly an easy read and an interesting subject. Some of it was stuff I already knew but there were still very many facts and figures that were fascinating. I did get a bit bored with some of the lengthy sections on sleep and sports performance though.

For me the book raised questions that were not adequately addressed, particularly relating to the connection of sleep and day light - what about the variations between summer and winter and northern countries where people live many month...more

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May 07, 2013 Erik Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you're looking for a latest hip-science book, this is for you.

I was looking around for a simple book on sleep (I have no science background) ever since learning about Thomas Edison's quip that he slept no more than three hours a night (while technically true, this book will explain how he did it).

Randall brings to the book his concise journalistic approach at tackling the still elusive subject on sleep. Why do we need it? What happens if we don't have enough?

This book is thankfully written...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I will never think of sleep in quite the same way - boy, is there a ton of information in here! Given our society's macho-macho view of sleep (as in the guy who needs the least amount is the bee's knees, and brags about it), this book should be required reading for everyone who reads since everyone needs sleep, and, in all probability, more of it. Personally, I value sleep - for one thing, if I get enough of it, then I don't get sick (really - try this for yourself) (well, that plus wash your ha...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Whether you want to get some insight into some valuable information, or if you just want to read it for fun, this is a book not to miss; and in my opinion, if you have or will have a teenager in your household, or you are a teacher or school administrator or on a school Board of Education, you must read Chapter 9.

I picked up this book with the intention of reading it just for fun; something interesting and different. I thought I knew already how important sleep is to the human body. I ended up...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Eric Jensen rated it 5 of 5 stars

New York Times journalist David K. Randall has written an entertaining and compelling exploration into the mysterious world of sleep. This is not a "how to" book so much as a journalist's journey into the world of sleep research. Randall is an excellent storyteller with a sense of humor, skilled at keeping the reader engaged with a light touch. I learned a lot and would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about what in the world is going on during the third of our lives we...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: neuroscience

if this book were a college course, its title would be something like Intro to Sleep Science. The author gives a brief overview of the current state of knowledge about various aspects of sleep with references for those who might want to pursue a given topic more in depth. Dreamland contains lots interesting tidbits about the relationship between sleep and SAT scores, sleep and baseball performance, dreams, and, sadly for mattress manufacturers but good for your wallet, the lack of relationship...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Cayleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012

I've been reading quite a few of these research type books lately and I have to say I think this one is near to the top of my list of most enjoyed. I found all the sleep research to be extremely interesting, some of it I knew but most of it I had not heard of before. It definitely lead to many fun discussions in my house when I shared what I was reading. I will say also, that often when reading these types of books they are extremely repetitive which is a buzz kill, but Dreamland was not. Each c...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: health, non-fiction, social-sciences

Easy to read book about lots of different learnings about sleep, some intriguing, others, not so much. For example, Ambien doesn't increase your amount of sleep, but it gives you amnesia so you forget that you were awake all night. Monday Night Football is usually won by a West Coast team when playing against an East Coast team, regardless of home field. Teenagers' circadian rhythms keep them awake at night and asleep until noon or so, but elderly people experience the opposite (early bedtime an...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Gloria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Excellent summary of the science and peculiarities of sleep. Randall has a narrative style usually starting chapters with a little story that leads to a type of sleep issue. Stories range from murder to bumps in the night. He looks at sleep from various viewpoints: medical reasons & medications, physical manifestations of poor sleep habits (twitching, kicking, sleepwalking, etc), argues for sleeping in separate beds, effect of kids on sleep, teenage sleep, and really much more. What he does...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, science

I got this book for free through First Reads. Thanks to Goodreads and W.W. Norton & Company!

Probably closer to 3.5. Dreamland is a fascinating little book and I think it's ideal for someone who is curious about sleep - how it works, why we need it, what it does - but also who doesn't know a lot about it. If you're looking for hard science, this is probably not the book for you. Instead, it's structured around a dozen or so little case studies, ranging from the effects of artificial light on...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Tyler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Good summation of sleep research out there. Seems like not much progress has been made on this topic though. Much of this info I've heard before is repeated. Tetris, Skiing video game, etc.

Borrows heavily from: The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep

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Sep 07, 2012 Meiran rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-buy, library

As someone who has suffered with insomnia and other sleep disorders for most of their life, this book was amazing. It (mostly) steered away from the patronizing lectures and "just try to relax" junk that most books about sleep fall into because it's not a self help book. It's a book about science, and scientists. Even if you don't have sleep issues it's probably fascinating and will likely give you a huge insight into your own habits and health.

The writing style is easy to read without being du...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Michael Durbin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Some fascinating things in here! Especially the concubia nocte, or first sleep phenomenon. Apparently for the first several thousand years as modern humans we slept in two shifts every night, before the advent of artificial lighting changed all that. There's evidence of this in old literature, and also may explain why I'll sometimes wake at 2am, be productive and alert for an hour or two, then go back to sleep -- and the next day I feel like I've had the best night's sleep of my life. Definitely...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Sueij rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well, I must think this one is a 5-star, because not only did I have a hard time putting it down, but I immediately recommended it to my friend Melanie and to my husband Scott. Plus, even though I borrowed it from the library myself, I've noted this as a "must own" for our own library.

Fascinating. Informative. Well-written. Random facts and practical applications.

Really... what's not to love? It got on my list when I heard an NPR interview with the author, but it's one of those books that shoul...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Lindsay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Most nonfiction books bore me and take me a while to read. But this one had an easy flow and is full of interesting facts that you want to keep reading. It talks about insomnia and sleepwalking (which now terrifies me after reading about people who murder people while they are sleepwalking), and just about everything else sleep related. It's main point is something that we already know, which is that people perform their lives better when they've gotten sleep. Which gives me hope that when I sta...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club, non-fiction

The subject of sleep and dreams is very interesting and I liked that the author drew from varied sources from military to sports to discuss the topic of sleep and the effects of sleep or lack thereof. Sometimes though, there were details that didn't seem necessary or details that were missing that would have really added to the story. One glaring omission was the gloss-over for parents of newborns. It's mentioned, but barely.

The writing style was okay, but I expected better from a journalist sin...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Malin Friess rated it 4 of 5 stars

David Randal (a sleepwalker himself) in "Dreamland" attempts to unearth the mysteries of what we will spend 1/3 of our life doing: SLEEPING!

Randall covers a lot of territory in Dreamland from sleep labs, dreaming, treatments for Sleep Apnea, patterns of sleep, insomnia, committing crimes while sleeping (is it defenseable), etc.

A few aspects I found interesting:

Want to know an easy way to start an argument. Just ask any parent of a newborn whether they will be going with the Ferber method/Ferber...more David Randal (a sleepwalker himself) in "Dreamland" attempts to unearth the mysteries of what we will spend 1/3 of our life doing: SLEEPING!

Randall covers a lot of territory in Dreamland from sleep labs, dreaming, treatments for Sleep Apnea, patterns of sleep, insomnia, committing crimes while sleeping (is it defenseable), etc.

A few aspects I found interesting:

Want to know an easy way to start an argument. Just ask any parent of a newborn whether they will be going with the Ferber method/Ferberizing (allowing their child to "cry it out" for progressively longer periods even enduring searing screams for a time until they learn to sleep on their own) or will the parent use the Sears method (attachment parenting and soothing the child's every need at nightime/sharing a bed with the baby). No one really knows what the long term effects of each method are..except the parents sleep better and may be able to parent better after using the Ferber method.

Randall looks at a lot of studies in Sleep Labs and finds that couples actually sleep better (more REM) apart. Randall is an advocate of the Leave it to Beaver days and separate beds for parents. As he says, "Its OK for couples to not Spoon all night...its time to get some sleep."

Randall advocates warm bath, yoga, turning off the TV, dimming the lights, to help with sleep.

Randall defends those who have committed crimes while sleeping..including murder. This to me was a stretch.

I found less interest in the chapter on Dreams...it seems no-one including Freud really knows what Dreams mean or why or why we don't remember them.

I liked the chapter on Sleep Apnea. The first machine to treat this disease used a snorkle and a motor/pump from a vacuum. Despites its awkwardness and noise..patient's loved it. One guy even cut a whole in his wall to put the machine in the next room. RES-MED patented it and made Billions. It does a give a darth vader look (My Dad wears one) and some can't get over this..but now it is much quieter. There is a surgical approach for this treatment: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Success rate is only 50% with lots of bad side effects (pain, infection, difficulty swallowing).

Lastly, our patterns in the West of wake 16 hours, then sleep 8 hours may not be natural. Tribes in Nigeria tend to sleep for 6 hours. wake 2, and then sleep 2 more hours.

Schools that moved first bell from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM saw massive improvement in tests scores as it better matched the circadian rhythmn of high school kids and secretion of melatonin from the Pineal glands.

4 stars. To me it was a Goodread!
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