Though highly scientific in details and explanations, this book is neither a dense science textbook, nor a dream interpretation book. If a reader is looking for answers as to why they continuosly dream of shooting stars or an in-depth analysis of the parts of the brain, they will be disappointed to find that that information is not included within these pages. However, as described in the title, Rock successfully explains precisely how and why we dream in a thorough and understandable manner. Here, Rock aims to change the discussion from an “either, or” argument to a “both, and” argument in her book.
Overall, Rock did an excellent job of maintaining the balance between textbook and interpretation book. That being said, there were definitely some highs and lows to Rock’s writing. The most useful tool employed was that of fascinating examples. Whether they were shocking facts, crazy statistics, interesting experiments, or compelling stories, Rock was able to maintain interest among the ongoing, length scientific terms. However, though I appreciated the wide variety of examples, some tended to sound weak, cliche, and predictable. Some were so cliche that it was hard to believe they were true, while others were so overused that they became monotonous. Regardless of those minor missteps, Rock successfully constructed a book that stays true to its title, providing clear and concise answers as to how and why we dream. After reading Rock’s work, I was able to get a better understanding of dreams as they relate to brain functions, sleep disorders, mental health, the use of memory, lucid dreaming, and the history of scientific discovery. I highly recommend this easily understandable book to anyone with a moderate interest in the mind and conscience that is searching for more than just a science textbook or dream interpretation book.
| Publisher | Basic Books; Reprint edition (March 30, 2005) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 239 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0465070698 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0465070695 |
| Item Weight | 10.4 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5 x 0.6 x 8 inches |
