Why We Sleep

Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

By: Matthew Walker PhD PhD

Narrated by: Steve West

“Why We Sleep is an important and fascinating book…Walker taught me a lot about this basic activity that every person on Earth needs. I suspect his book will do the same for you.” —Bill Gates

A New York Times bestseller and international sensation, this “stimulating and important book” (Financial Times) is a fascinating dive into the purpose and power of slumber.

With two appearances on CBS This Morning and Fresh Air's most popular interview of 2017, Matthew Walker has made abundantly clear that sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when it is absent. Compared to the other basic drives in life—eating, drinking, and reproducing—the purpose of sleep remains more elusive.

Within the brain, sleep enriches a diversity of functions, including our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions. It recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. Dreaming creates a virtual reality space in which the brain melds past and present knowledge, inspiring creativity.

In this “compelling and utterly convincing” (The Sunday Times) book, preeminent neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker provides a revolutionary exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Charting the most cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, and marshalling his decades of research and clinical practice, Walker explains how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity. He also provides actionable steps towards getting a better night’s sleep every night.

Clear-eyed, fascinating, and accessible, Why We Sleep is a crucial and illuminating book. Written with the precision of Atul Gawande, Andrew Solomon, and Sherwin Nuland, it is “recommended for night-table reading in the most pragmatic sense” (The New York Times Book Review).

Must read for everyone

This is one of the most important reads. Life changing perspective. I read/listen to ~50 books a year. This is in my top 3 this years. Highly recommend this.

Should’ve gotten it on kindle from the outset

Instead of after listening to it on audible. A great book, full of fascinating and useful information. I’m following it’s advice and have increased my sleep by 1-3 hours/night, and getting into deeper stages as well. I’m a PhD psychologist and sharing this information with my patients.

Everyone should read this

First few chapter s might be a bit boring if you've watched his Ted talk or the Joe Rogan interview, but once you get through that, the book is very interesting. It has changed my views on sleep for the better, and this information will be useful for the rest of my life

Mind Bendingly Excellent

Absolutely amazing.
This book will turn you from an average Joe into a super sleep nerd. My friends and family got sick of me talking about the facts and figures quoted in this book. It set me off down a path towards sleeping more, valuing the sleep I get and a whole host of other things.

Its entertaining, interesting, funny and excellently read by the narrator.

Super Useful Information

I had always suspected sleeping pills had a greater downside to them; this book covered them all.
It will take me a long time to actually see the benefits of ‘clean’ sleeping, but I am infused with enthusiasm and willing to stay the course.
Excellent book for anyone with an ongoing dependency on sleeping pills and everyone who wants to avoid the trap in future