Why We Sleep

The New Science of Sleep and Dreams

By: Matthew Walker

Narrated by: John Sackville

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Matthew Walker (P)2017 Penguin Audio

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)

Loved it! We all need to read

I wish the science had been available decades ago. Am already putting the knowledge to good use. Thank you!

Mind-blowing

I really enjoyed this book, please do yourself a favor and listen to what Matt has to say, it will literally change your life

So. Very. Useful.

I think I’ll be going back to the start and listening again.

Great reminders and evidence for why it is important to be experiencing a great night’s sleep every night. This has also given me insight into how my daughter as a teenager is in need of more sleep and specifically why. We’ve had many a valuable discussion during the course of listening to this book and I’m thankful that school doesn’t start too early in the morning here in Australia! Very!

Will stay with you

A very important book written with style and simplicity. One of those books you find yourself banging on about ad nauseum because it relates to so many conversations you have in day to day life. Great narrator too, just the odd mispronunciation but not as many as most Audible books I've listened to lately.

life changing

This book literally changed my life. It was so illuminating that I devoured it in one sitting. Sleeping 8 hours a night is the easiest way to give yourself a competitive advantage and live a healthier and happier life.
Great recording. That said, there were so many facts and figures that I wished for the hard copy.
I am telling all my friends to read it!

Now I know all about sleep!

I have been looking for different answers and always found small pieces of information here and there. In this book, there is everything you need to know and make your own conclusions

Thank you - this book has changed my life

“Life changing” is not an exaggeration. This book will improve the quality of the rest of your life. And if you are a parent, your children’s lives, too.
I listened to the audio book and I highly recommend it. The author is articulate and the narrator does a wonderful job of bringing the pages to life. The content is easy to understand, full of interesting anecdotes, and supported by compelling facts. It's no surprise that readers rate it 5 Stars!
If you read (or listen to) one book this year, this should be it.

Book.of the year

I'm completely Blown Away by this book. I think this is a must for anybody living the human experience.

Must read!

The narrator was excellent. Perfect match for an excellent book. I highly recommend this book.

Everyone should read

This book is so insightful! I never knew sleep impacted so much of our lives… I will recommend this book to everyone I know!