Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
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Author | James Nestor |
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Audio read by | James Nestor |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Subject | Breathing |
Publisher | Riverhead Books |
Publication date | May 26, 2020 |
Media type | Print (hardcover) |
Pages | 304 |
ISBN | 978-0-7352-1361-6 |
OCLC | 1138996691 |
613/.192 | |
LC Class | RA782 .N47 2020 |
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is a 2020 popular science book by journalist James Nestor. The book provides a historical, scientific and personal examination of breathing, with a specific interest in contrasting the differences between mouth breathing and nasal breathing.
Summary[]
The book examines the history, science, and culture of breathing and its impacts on human health. It investigates the history of how humans shifted from the natural state of nasal breathing to chronic mouth breathing. Nestor explores research that argues that this shift (due to the increased consumption of processed foods) has led to a rise in snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease, and allergies. It includes Nestor's first-person experiences with breathing. He also worked with scientists at Stanford University whose research suggests that returning to a state of nasal breathing will improve an individual's health.[1][2][3] Nestor wrote the book after ten years of researching the subject.[4]
Publication and promotion[]
Breath was published by Riverhead Books on May 26, 2020.[5] Nestor promoted the book with appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience[6] and CBS This Morning.[7]
In the June 14, 2020 edition of The New York Times, one week after its release, Breath ranked #7 in the "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction list."[8]
Reception[]
Breath received favorable reviews, with a cumulative "Positive" rating at the review aggregator website Book Marks.[9] Kirkus Reviews called it a "welcome, invigorating user's manual for the respiratory system."[10] Publishers Weekly called it a "fascinating treatise" on breathing.[11] Stuart Miller of The Boston Globe wrote that Nestor succeeded at "explaining both the basics" and the "more complicated aspects of breathing properly."[12] Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Sam Kean praised the book's "good foundation" but criticized Nestor for not exercising enough skepticism and investigating the placebo effect further. Kean also felt the book contained "dicey" evidence which reminded him of Linus Pauling's vitamin C advocacy. Kean expressed a "similar skepticism" about Nestor's claims regarding the benefits of ancient breathing exercises.[13] In her review for the Evening Standard, Katie Law compared Breath to the "potentially life-changing books" including Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep, Shane O'Mara's In Praise of Walking, and Norman Doidge's The Brain's Way of Healing.[4] Breath also received a favorable review by Library Journal.[14]
The book was also perceived as being unexpectedly resonant due to its publication occurring amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Gross, Terry (May 27, 2020). "How The 'Lost Art' Of Breathing Can Impact Sleep And Resilience". Fresh Air. NPR. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ Nestor, James (May 21, 2020). "The Healing Power of Proper Breathing". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Stanger, Shelby (March 30, 2020). "Breathwork with James Nestor". REI. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Law, Katie (July 30, 2020). "Breath by James Nestor review: why most of us are doing it wrong". Evening Standard. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Breath by James Nestor: 9780735213616". Penguin Random House. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "#1506 - James Nestor - The Joe Rogan Experience". Spotify. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Author James Nestor on how breathing properly can improve overall health". CBS News. September 10, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction". The New York Times. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art". Book Marks. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor". Kirkus Reviews. April 21, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor". Publishers Weekly. March 19, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Miller, Stuart (May 21, 2020). ""Yes, changing how you breathe will help you live longer"". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Kean, Sam (May 31, 2020). "'Breath' Review: Eager Breather". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ O'Malley, Ragan (May 1, 2020). "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art". Library Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
External links[]
- 2020 non-fiction books
- American non-fiction books
- Popular science books
- Respiration
- Riverhead Books books