Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art / Just Breathe / The Oxygen Advantage / What Doesn't Kill Us

by James Nestor, Dan Brulé, Patrick McKeown (Contributor)

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Science, Mental Health, Audiobook

Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

James Nestor is a journalist who has written for Outside magazine, Men's Journal, Scientific American, Dwell, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Atlantic, the San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not a self help book, it's a smart, incisive look at what all of us do constantly but few do correctly - breathe. Yet there were so many ideas in each chapter that I implemented in my own life immediately. I now sleep better and know how to breathe (nope, I was not doing it right.) Among other things, Nestor talks about how disease and general ill health arise from our inefficient breaths, and takes us on an evolutionary journey, explaining how our modern life (soft, cooked foods for one) has changed the shape of our mouths and thus our breathing capabilities. But it's not all gloom and doom - he has answers to how we can correct our breathing! This is a fast-paced narrative that takes us around the world and back in time. It's full of fascinating people, anecdotes, history, and science.

[Cameron Haylock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game changer, everyone needs to read this.

[Chris Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic journey of the various methodologies of breath work as well as some of the practical medical applications. As a Wim HOf Practitioner and occasional practicioner of yoga, this provided excellent work to consider in the pursuit of better health overall. I want to buy this book for everyone I care about as it really has made me rethink the importance of breathing in the management of very common less emergency based pathologies for which western medicine has much less to offer than it does with trauma and life threatening illness.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of the year I think- I have been plugged up in my nose for months and I finally decided to give this book a crack because I was having trouble sleeping at night… I can breath through my nose again! Obviously it’s not a cure all, but is an amazing book if you want to improve your breathing.

[Becca! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! I want everyone to read this.

[Andrea Lakly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book isn't well researched. I don't recommend it.

[Frederick Quinney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just breathe through your nose basically

[Alex Berglund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s just say “Mouth-breather” is my new favorite insult

[Gretta Kearney]

I want to read this book as it was recommended when I was listening to a pod cast on Nasal breathing

[Carol Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently there is more to breathing than just breathing. In this volume, Nestor assumes we are all the novices he was at the beginning of his quest. He tells us the story of his quest as he introduces ancient and modern practices to improve health by breathing. Early in his journey, he participates in a medically supervised experiment. For ten days, he totally disables his nose so he can only breathe through his mouth. The adverse effects to his health were startling. After ten days, he reversed the process. Not so devastating. At the end of his book, he offers a summary of advice. First, close your mouth. Second, exhale. Third, chew. It all sounds like a "duh" moment, but the details are important. At the back of the book, before the index, is an appendix that explains beathing methods referred to in the chapters. I am keeping this book as a resource and I have bought a second copy because I think my son will like it.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

part memoir of his own exploration of breathing, part historical analysis of medical approaches and part self help boook. Wonderful on all levels, thoroughly enjyed reading it- wel lwritten - nicely organised and laid out information for trying it out at home, with suitable cautions in place too. I was impressed and want to tell a lot of people i know about it.

[Olivier Vaarkamp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much pseudoscience

[Aniket Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Nestor’s Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is a fascinating mix of science, self-experimentation, and ancient wisdom that turns a mundane act—breathing—into a subject of deep exploration. The book has been widely praised for its accessibility and insight, yet it has also drawn criticism for overstating its claims.

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Strengths

Nestor’s writing combines journalistic curiosity with narrative flair, turning scientific research into a compelling story about human evolution and health. His global journey—meeting monks, free divers, and scientists—renders the topic vibrant and relatable. Reviewers note that the book often feels “life-changing” in how it reframes something we take for granted, making readers acutely aware of how they breathe. The readability is a major strength: it avoids jargon, keeps momentum with humor and humility, and balances data with human stories. Kirkus Reviews described it as a “welcome, invigorating user’s manual for the respiratory system”.

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Weaknesses

However, some critics argue that Breath occasionally borders on pseudoscience. Skeptical reviewers feel that its core message—“breathe through your nose, not your mouth”—could have been conveyed in fewer pages. Others point out that many of Nestor’s anecdotes rely on limited or dated scientific evidence, and the book sometimes leans into spiritual or anecdotal territory more than rigorous science. By the midway point, some found the repetition of ideas tiresome, with the “breathing will transform your life” tone becoming overstated.

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Overall Impression

Despite differing opinions, Breath remains a powerful and engaging read. It occupies a rare space between self-help, science, and philosophy—offering both practical breathing techniques and a deeper appreciation for the human body. Whether or not one agrees with all of Nestor’s claims, the book succeeds in making readers pause, literally take a breath, and consider how that simple act shapes health and consciousness.

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Verdict

Breath is enlightening, motivating, and easy to read—a blend of discovery and personal reflection that makes respiratory science accessible to everyone. For readers open to holistic wellness, it’s an essential read; for strict empiricists, it might stretch credibility. Overall rating: 8/10 for engagement, storytelling, and impact.
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[Abhinay Renny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice read on the magic of breathing and it's effect on human anatomy and health in general. A well researched entertaining read.



I came across this book when I was exploring about health. Coincidentally, Sravani suggested the book while I just picked it up. Glad to come across this book. I have always heard about the importance of breathing but never paid much attention to the details of it. Breathing is so ubiquitous, what's so mysterious in it could be a general question but, as we are always told to be aware of our breathe, I got curious of it. In Breathe, James explore the magic of breathing by taking up on the journey of expermenting various methods and also by interacting with people who master the art of breathing and live a wholesome life. As soon as I began to read this book, I became more aware of my breathe and was in awe of his discovery of amazing stories, journeys woven around breath.

A few key take aways from Breathe-

https://www.abhinayrenny.com/2025/04/...

[Raami Karim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an eye opening exploration of the breath and, more importantly, how utterly crucial nasal breathing is over mouth breathing.

The two key takeways are:

1. Promote nasal breathing at all costs and use your mouth to breathe as little as possible
2. Breathe slower

The reasons for the above are explored in great detail throughout the book.

One anecdotal piece of evidence I can give is that I am sleeping better than I ever have since I began mouth taping at night. It was a quite literal - game changer. This book explores the benefits of that amongst other things.

It is well researched and highly practical.

[Ruiijan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the entirety of the book.
I double checked his claims and everything stands until he starts on the voodoo, chi bullshit around 2/3 of the book.
Not a bad read but because he throws in his personal experience in, it doesn’t seem professional. There are a lot of overlap in the style with what you can find in new age medicine crap.
Be careful when you read this book to not fall in those traps.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know that breathing was as important as this author claims. This book has me self conscious about mouth breathing and wondering if mouth tape needs to make its way to my medicine cabinet. I can’t even breath normally thinking about it.

And, now I want you to go to the catacombs.

[W.n.k · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, no. it did not do it for me. there might have been some info there that i could use, but i just did not really buy into the breathing less and starving ourselves for oxygen.
i overall read half way through it, and just said no more.

[Adam Della Rocca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these kind of books. Loved the author's last book. Found this one a bit meandering and less succinct. Still enjoyed it as I love the subject material but a little diffuse in structure and would have enjoyed more narrative aside from authors own experiences.

[Ben Titley]

Very good book that makes you question even the basic acts while living, through thought provoking tests that James completes.

Well worth a read for those who sleep bad, have bad performance during exercise and who have breathing issues period.

[Plantpowerlupie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and interesting information about the importance of how you breathe. A little strange at times, but generally good takeaways to think about. You will find yourself hyper focused on how you’re breathing while you are reading the book :)

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched, personal, helpful ideas, interesting to learn about the history and science behind something we take for granted.
It can be a little long-winded pun inteneded but worth the time spent reading to help you breathe.

[Correen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The simplicity of the book makes is a very convent guide through breathing right. I found it to be very helpful. The author's experience in learning nose breathing were sometimes helpful and amusing but were sometimes beyond helpfulness.

[Samsara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, author did not specify how his jaw is expanded or how exactly to breath slow and soft. My only take away is to breathe through nose even when running like hell.... It kind of works for me, that my mind suddenly clear up, instead of just panting (through mouth).

[Ryan Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read and eye opening to the basics of life.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is surprisingly entertaining as well as informational.

[Siddharth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read book, along with some others like Why We Sleep and Obesity Code which can have a tremendous effect on your health and sense of wellbeing.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. I found the dental history and it's impact on breathing particularly enlightening. The authors reading was also quite good in the audiobook.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

don’t waste your time

[Bethy Swaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful & life changing