Counting Sheep

Behavioral biologist Paul Martin covers the science of sleep from every angle — biology, history, culture, dreams, public health — in a book Kirkus described as 'a choice example of science writing that entertains as it educates.' He makes the consequences of sleep deprivation visceral (likening it to drunkenness), connects poor sleep to ADHD and industrial disasters, and works through everything from insomnia to sleep apnea without losing the general reader. The prose is consistently energetic for science writing. The one honest caveat is that sleep research has moved quickly since the 2004 US publication, and some specific studies and statistics will have been updated or revised. The foundational framework holds up well, but pair it with more recent sources if you want the latest findings. An engaging, readable introduction to a subject that affects everyone.