Breath
2020 • 304 pages
Ratings51
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings51
Average rating3.8
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER - AND THE BOOK WE'LL BE GIFTING TO EVERY FAMILY MEMBER AND FRIEND THIS CHRISTMAS! SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY BOOK PRIZE 'Who would have thought something as simple as changing the way we breathe could be so revolutionary for our health, from snoring to allergies to immunity? A fascinating book, full of dazzling revelations' Dr Rangan Chatterjee There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. In Breath, journalist James Nestor travels the world to discover the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can: - jump-start athletic performance - rejuvenate internal organs - halt snoring, allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease, and even straighten scoliotic spines None of this should be possible, and yet it is. Drawing on thousands of years of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head. You will never breathe the same again.
Reviews with the most likes.
Good summary about breath throughout the ages
I had no idea you could do so much with your breath. From increasing body temperature to inducing hallucinations. In this fascinating read, you go through the journey with the author on how we've changed our breathing, and what are some of the breathing techniques you can do. This last part is however poorly written, the appendix has a list of exercises but they don't explain why should you do this particular exercise and what are the benefits. For that, you have to dig back into the text. But this is a great “gateway” book into the subject and to discover some very interesting people like Wim Hoff etc along the way.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = loved it & already plan to reread
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = great book that I recommend
⭐⭐⭐ = pretty solid book
⭐⭐ = I finished it, barely
⭐ = I had to let this one go
I waited for a time to read this book after hearing an interview with the author.
The book is in three parts - and it absolutely had me fascinated and listening closely. It's a nice addition to the popular science literature, and the science is described well by James. Because he is conveying his experience, he makes it easy to follow along. I think some of the breathing techniques would have been very dry or confusing on their own, but the compelling narrative helps.
There are exercises at the end of the book - I'd recommend listening to them - you can listen and follow along. However, I think all of part 3 would require more information before trying - like, don't go holding your breath or breathing out until you are uncomfortable or passing out.
Overall, interesting and compelling. I'd recommend only to adults.
** I listened to the audible version - while running. I'd not recommend doing that because it is hard to play with the breath tricks while also trying to run :)
I picked this book up because Dr Andrew Hubermann recommended it.
I'm currently halfway through, and tbh, sorely disappointed.
Any book with SCIENCE in the title will have to do better than the formula of “personal, non-verifiable anecdotal story about how using X protocol revolutionised the life of a patient who had Y chronic condition”.
The science of breathing has the relevant clinical literature to support it, and the author does not need to resort to rhetorical fabrications to make this case compellingly. I understand that some degree of this is inevitable in a book geared toward the general reader, and I'm likely not the intended target audience.
