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Let's Talk about Sleep
News about sleep is everywhere we turn, and the statistics are numbing: Some 50-70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and intermittent sleep problems; an estimated 30-35% of adults complain of insomnia; one in every 25 Americans takes a prescription sleep medication; more than a third of American adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis; sleep disorders account for an estimated $16 billion in medical costs each year, plus indirect costs due to missed days of work, decreased productivity and related factors.
And questions abound: why do we need to sleep at all? What happens when we sleep? What happens to the brain? We know the brain is active when we sleep, but what about the mind? And what are dreams?
An accessible and lively take on sleep, this book provides answers to those and other key questions. Along the way, it highlights the lessons a well-known neurologist has learned and what he shares with his patients on a daily basis. It discusses — in terms everyone can understand — what we know about sleep, what can go wrong with it, and what we can do to fix it. It also delves into what some of the great scientists and spiritual teachers have told us about sleep.
The book is packed with useful information and suggestions that will improve all aspects of readers’ lives.
And questions abound: why do we need to sleep at all? What happens when we sleep? What happens to the brain? We know the brain is active when we sleep, but what about the mind? And what are dreams?
An accessible and lively take on sleep, this book provides answers to those and other key questions. Along the way, it highlights the lessons a well-known neurologist has learned and what he shares with his patients on a daily basis. It discusses — in terms everyone can understand — what we know about sleep, what can go wrong with it, and what we can do to fix it. It also delves into what some of the great scientists and spiritual teachers have told us about sleep.
The book is packed with useful information and suggestions that will improve all aspects of readers’ lives.
- GenresNonfictionHealthScience
188 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2019
15 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2022
For those new to learning about sleep and sleep disorders, this book was easy to understand and easy to follow. Great for anyone trying to learn more about the basics. The book also includes patient stories which the author uses to further explain and demonstrate the disorder in question. Might be a great starting point if you're trying to start a conversation about sleep with your doctor, but because it covers a lot in relatively few pages, it doesn't provide in-depth look into any particular topic. Also note that this was published in 2018 and there have been a few changes/advancements since then, including new medications.
January 20, 2018
As one who has struggled with sleep for decades, I had very mixed feelings about buying this book. On the one hand I often feel like I’m out of good options in addressing the problem. On the other, I wish I had back some of the money I’ve spent on books about sleep.
It’s self-evident that sleep is important and if you’re getting enough and waking up feeling rested, you are way ahead in the game of life. And if you’re not, you know how much that fact impacts the rest of your life. Sleep may not rise to the level of water or oxygen, but it’s not far behind. Your performance on the job, in a relationship, in sports, and in just getting through the day is greatly impacted by the quality and quantity of your sleep. And most of all, of course, it has a big influence on your overall health.
What really separates this book from the others I’ve read is that Dr. Barone and Lawrence Armour openly acknowledge the complexity of the problem. There are a lot of variables. Sleep occurs in a complex and delicate ecosystem, and isolating one variable from all of the others can be a challenge.
In the end, the authors state, “This book was not intended to be a medical text.” And they made good on that intention. The writing is concise and clear and the authors avoid most of the medical jargon that often clutters this type of book.
And they cover it all, from valerian root to hypoglossal nerve stimulation. The latter involves a pacemaker-like device that is implanted into the right chest wall, runs a wire up the neck (yes, under the skin), and stimulates the tongue muscle, preventing the tongue from falling backward and closing off the airway. Yeah, yikes!
The authors also don’t limit the subject matter to science and medicine. There are some very interesting passages about dreams and the duality of sleep and wakefulness as a reflection of the duality inherent in the universe. Nothing heavy, but Dr. Barone has clearly thought a lot about sleep.
And it’s that curiosity and fascination that ultimately gives this book its edge. Dr. Barone is fascinated by sleep and it shows. And, as a result, I learned a lot and have already begun to incorporate some of that knowledge into my nightly attempts to get some good rest. Thank you.
It’s self-evident that sleep is important and if you’re getting enough and waking up feeling rested, you are way ahead in the game of life. And if you’re not, you know how much that fact impacts the rest of your life. Sleep may not rise to the level of water or oxygen, but it’s not far behind. Your performance on the job, in a relationship, in sports, and in just getting through the day is greatly impacted by the quality and quantity of your sleep. And most of all, of course, it has a big influence on your overall health.
What really separates this book from the others I’ve read is that Dr. Barone and Lawrence Armour openly acknowledge the complexity of the problem. There are a lot of variables. Sleep occurs in a complex and delicate ecosystem, and isolating one variable from all of the others can be a challenge.
In the end, the authors state, “This book was not intended to be a medical text.” And they made good on that intention. The writing is concise and clear and the authors avoid most of the medical jargon that often clutters this type of book.
And they cover it all, from valerian root to hypoglossal nerve stimulation. The latter involves a pacemaker-like device that is implanted into the right chest wall, runs a wire up the neck (yes, under the skin), and stimulates the tongue muscle, preventing the tongue from falling backward and closing off the airway. Yeah, yikes!
The authors also don’t limit the subject matter to science and medicine. There are some very interesting passages about dreams and the duality of sleep and wakefulness as a reflection of the duality inherent in the universe. Nothing heavy, but Dr. Barone has clearly thought a lot about sleep.
And it’s that curiosity and fascination that ultimately gives this book its edge. Dr. Barone is fascinated by sleep and it shows. And, as a result, I learned a lot and have already begun to incorporate some of that knowledge into my nightly attempts to get some good rest. Thank you.
October 19, 2020
Maybe a low 2.5 stars
I can't quite pin down what I didn't like. It didn't get deep into any science or research, which I think I would have enjoyed more.
It does not really discuss what happens when we sleep really, mostly just what can go wrong. It touched on most major sleep disorders, but that became very predictable: have a sleep test done, try some medications, things improve but don't go away completely.
Maybe it just fell into a no man's land of too much information to be a quick overview, but not enough information to be educational.
I can't quite pin down what I didn't like. It didn't get deep into any science or research, which I think I would have enjoyed more.
It does not really discuss what happens when we sleep really, mostly just what can go wrong. It touched on most major sleep disorders, but that became very predictable: have a sleep test done, try some medications, things improve but don't go away completely.
Maybe it just fell into a no man's land of too much information to be a quick overview, but not enough information to be educational.
April 16, 2024
This book was pretty informative for the general public about good sleep hygiene, sleep medication, and sleep disorders. However, I feel like the book was a little redundant and could've served just as well with a fewer page count. I appreciate Dr. Barone's passion for sharing his specialty and knowledge on the topic, and as a fellow scientist I understand the tendency to repeat the same material and concepts to laymen often, but I think he over compensated a little for this book. Still, very informative and I'll definitely be more conscientious of my own sleeping habits!
June 8, 2018
An decent informative book, but it still didn't tell me why I wake up at 4 in the morning and can't go back to sleep until 6 am.
April 16, 2019
The tone struck me as (unintentionally?) condescending for such a basic book. I’d recommend a more specialized book if you know anything about sleep and/or are interested in a particular topic.
Want to read
October 7, 2019Picked up a copy at the Mind Your Health event
October 27, 2019
I liked the number of quotes assimilated regarding this complicated manoeuvre. Also helpful to note is the glossary at the end.
April 10, 2024
Informative, but like a lot of medical information, dry.
January 23, 2026
Quick read, a good book for getting your feet wet with sleep medicine topics. A few case studies examined throughout, with many helpful tips for sleep hygiene and info on parasomnias.
March 25, 2020
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Trish.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
May 16, 2018
This was a good book, it got a little boring towards the end, and downright weird in the final chapter, but overall I would say it was a good book.
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October 29, 2018i want to study this book
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews