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Why We Sleep
- The New Science of Sleep and Dreams
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
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Why We Sleep
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
The number one Sunday Times best seller.
TLS, Observer, Sunday Times, FT, Guardian, Daily Mail and Evening Standard Books of the Year 2017.
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, read by John Sackville.
Includes a bonus PDF of graphs and diagrams.
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of our life, health and longevity and yet it is increasingly neglected in 21st century society, with devastating consequences: every major disease in the developed world - Alzheimer's, cancer, obesity, diabetes - has very strong causal links to deficient sleep.
Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why its absence is so damaging to our health. Compared to the other basic drives in life - eating, drinking and reproducing - the purpose of sleep remained elusive.
Now, in this audiobook, the first of its kind written by a scientific expert, Professor Matthew Walker explores 20 years of cutting-edge research to solve the mystery of why sleep matters. Looking at creatures from across the animal kingdom as well as major human studies, Why We Sleep delves in to everything from what really happens during REM sleep to how caffeine and alcohol affect sleep and why our sleep patterns change across a lifetime, transforming our appreciation of the extraordinary phenomenon that safeguards our existence.
Critic reviews
"Astonishing...an amazing book...absolutely chocker full of things that we need to know." (Chris Evans)
"Matthew Walker is probably one of the most influential people on the planet." (Evening Standard)
"Startling, vital...a life-raft." (Guardian)
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What listeners say about Why We Sleep
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ben
- 08-03-18
The most fascinating book I have read in 20 years
Would you listen to Why We Sleep again? Why?
Yes, and I am already (immediately after finishing it). The subject has changed my life and I want to ensure I took it all in first time!
Which scene did you most enjoy?
I cannot pick one chapter. They are all exceptional. The beauty of the writing is that you can dip in and out of chapters and read them in any order and they still make perfect sense. Fantastic!
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Sleep: Evolutionary Elixir (SEE for short!)
Any additional comments?
This book has already changed my life and continues to do so. It is no exaggeration to say it is the best book i have ever read/listened to. I am lucky in that I do not particularly suffer from sleep problems but, either way, the book is fascinating, interesting and informative. I could not recommend this book more highly.
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31 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Marie
- 27-11-19
A fascinating study on sleep
I found this book to be very insightful, with high level summaries of deeply detailed studies and discoveries that have taken place to better understand why we sleep, how we sleep and major factors that affect sleep.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John
- 18-02-20
Mind blowing information on sleep, Must read!
Put it this way, I now have a new found respect for sleep! I've changed my sleeping habits as a result. If you like me have issues regarding sleep, get this audio book now!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 18-02-20
Very interesting and comprehensive
Address all the ideas related to sleep, and talk about the subjects comprehensively while keeping a great and interesting flow to it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- James
- 18-02-20
Brilliant
Brilliant, though I hope Michael A Singer writer of 'the surrender experiment' listens to it after stating with some pride he survived on less than 4 hours sleep. (I think he said three hours but I hope I'm wrong)
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- Kate
- 13-10-19
Fantastic book, can’t recommend it enough
Superb book, easy to follow advice helping you to understand WHY.....it’s essential to understand why you should follow certain practices. I thought it was beautifully narrated too. Can’t recommend this book enough.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-10-19
no need to sleep on it
very insightful, hugely informative, well told.
there is a lot to be learnt from this book and it's sad that so few people are aware of sleeps importance. the corporate world should wake up
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- Rich
- 24-12-21
Fascinating and life-saving
I highly recommend. I’ve been listening to the audiobook. Hearing it all from a leading expert, talking about the latest discoveries - Very interesting to learn about how optimising your sleep will lead to better memory retention and motor skills development, less weight gain, lower risk to heart disease / diabetes, and a whole range of other stuff. A valuable life lesson which I will start taking very seriously from now on. Narration is superb too, quite relaxing.
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- JM
- 23-10-21
Possibly life changing
This book is brilliantly presented and engaging.
Understanding the power of sleep and the detriment to our health and well-being going without has, I will now take even greater steps to protect my rest each night.
This should be on the reading stand of all people, especially decision makers who could lead some of the social changes so needed.
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- Connor Graham
- 20-10-21
A potentially lifechanging lesson
I was previously aware of the benefits of sleeping because I always felt better and much more capable to perform at my best after an 8 hour sleep opportunity. But, I was not aware of the science and biological processes that were involved in the miracle that is sleep, with particular emphasis on it's impart on early cognitive development and immune system efficacy.
The case studies and examples of sleep abuse were very harrowing to listen to, a big take away from this listening experience is the importance of regular and good quality sleep. As someone who has reduced the amount I sleep in exchange to work longer, or foregone sleep entirely, I am determined to stop myself from doing this in the future and make sleep a priority.
This book is a must read for someone who feels constantly tired, or is concerned about their health (both mental and physical) or someone who may be abusing their own sleep. They will gain a much deserved appreciation of sleep and its benefits.
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