Sleep (Scientific American Library Series,) [Paperback]

J. Allan Hobson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0716760142 | ISBN-13: 978-0716760146 | Publication Date: September 15, 1995

We may spend up to one-third of our lives asleep--but there is no rest for the brain. On the contrary, sleeping is a time of continual, spontaneous brain activity largely independent of external stimuli. Through a brilliant examination of recent studies of sleep patterns, dreaming, and disorders such as insomnia, J. Allan Hobson reveals that we know about the physical basis of human consciousness and dispels many myths about sleeping.

Editorial Reviews

Review

We may spend up to one-third of our lives asleep, but there's no actual rest for brain activity. This paper edition covers more changes in sleep research findings; from new therapeutic discoveries on sleep's benefits and mechanisms to biochemical discoveries. An excellent reference. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

J. Allan Hobson is the author of The Dreaming Brain and The Chemistry of Conscious States. He is professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Laboratory of Neurophysiology at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center.

Product Details

• Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716760142
• ISBN-13: 978-0716760146
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, August 13, 2001

By 

Antoine Tardif "Antoine Tardif" (red deer, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleep (Scientific American Library Series,) (Paperback)

This book offers more information and factual data, then first assumed. You'll learn about sleep disorders, and all of the latest research. For example, did you know that the sleep attacks of narcolepsy occur at periodic intervals of 90 - 100 minutes, during waking, a frequency that collides with the onset of REM during sleep. Not only is this and other interesting facts presented in a clear manner, but the reason behind this is explained in such a concise and constructive way, that you cant help but to consider this a better page turner than most works of fiction. I recommend this to anyone to wishes to learn about the human brain, dreaming, or just sleep in general.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleep, February 9, 2002

By 

J. Eure (Charlottesville, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sleep (Scientific American Library Series,) (Paperback)

Being a psychology student whose thesis was on sleep and dreams, I am bit bias to be writing a review of this book. I really loved it and think that most people would, weither they know anything about the process of sleep or not. It's very informative and presented interestingly, with lots of pictures and a little humor too. Hobson is one of the leading sleep scientists, so he knows what he's talking about. I would definately suggest that anyone who sleeps should have this book!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, August 13, 2001

By 

Antoine Tardif "Antoine Tardif" (red deer, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleep (Scientific American Library Series,) (Paperback)

This book offers more information and factual data, then first assumed. You'll learn about sleep disorders, and all of the latest research. For example, did you know that the sleep attacks of narcolepsy occur at periodic intervals of 90 - 100 minutes, during waking, a frequency that collides with the onset of REM during sleep. Not only is this and other interesting facts presented in a clear manner, but the reason behind this is explained in such a concise and constructive way, that you cant help but to consider this a better page turner than most works of fiction. I recommend this to anyone who wishes to learn about the human brain, dreaming, or just sleep in general.