The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep Reviews

• Lifesaving, Groundbreaking, Readable...buy it!

  
  By A3KW0P2GNN5FK4 on 2000-03-22
  Yes, it's too long; and the lack of an index is frustrating. But Dement presents ideas here that need to be heard, and haven't before. Sleep is not a simple process that can be distilled into a soundbyte - and his scientist's training won't let him devolve this into a mere list of "tips to sleep better". So, it it worth wading through 450 pages? A resounding yes. My own sleep problems were helped the very night I skipped ahead to the sleep hygeine chapter (the closest things to tips in the book). My understanding of jetlag and "prime time" for creative work will help me in the future. My respect for sleep has grown and will change my decisions. My realization of how close I have been to falling asleep at the wheel is terrifyingly clear. I am sending the book to one friend who I am sure suffers from a life threatening sleep lack. And unlike the reader who found Dement's career history self serving, I hear instead a plea for more research on this vitally important subject. Fascinating, readable, likeable, surprising, and worth every minute of your time to read. Although the writer's style is easy and readable, it alone would not rate five stars. But the content is five star plus. Buy it!
  
  

• Packed with life-saving information!

  
  By on 1999-07-13
  When a friend of mine recommended that I read this book, I was slightly doubtful. I didn't really believe that a book about sleep could be all that interesting. When I did get around to reading The Promise of Sleep, however, I was really pleasantly surprised. Dr. William Dement wrote this book in a manner that neither condescends to the reader, nor confuses him or her with overly technical terms, as one might expect from the world-renowned expert on sleep. It is friendly and amusing with entertaining anecdotes form Dr. Dement's career. In this respect, the book has some autobiographical aspects to it, allowing the reader to take a look into this fascinating man's life and work. One gets the sense that this book is intended for everyone who can read it, not only for people who can't sleep at night. The sleep patterns of people of all ages are discussed: infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, the middle-aged, and the elderly. Dr. Dement makes it clear that sleep affects every area of our lives, and he does this by providing us with fascinating, but little-known, information. For example, in spite of the fact that 9 out if 10 people are either sleep-deprived or have a sleep disorder, a large number of these cases remain undiagnosed, because most doctors are untrained in this area. And sleepy drivers have a part in about a third of traffic accidents, but few people are aware of this. It makes the reader indignant to find out about this, and the author's anger shows through as well. After all, people are dying from sleep disorders, car accidents, and industrial disasters because the public is ignorant about sleep. The Promise of Sleep serves as a self-help book as well. I did not realize that I was sleep-deprived, or that sleep debt accumulates, until I read this book. The book includes a three-week plan to improve one's sleep. I actually tried it, and now sleep is a priority for me. As a result, my days are much more productive. This book was excellent. I would unhesitatingly recommend it to anyone, on the basis that it will change, and even save, lives. It would serve as a good gift, as well.
  
  

• An Extremely Important Book

  
  By A1BHAM76ZWYKQI on 2000-12-01
  Their sure are some strange negative reviews and some very positive ones on this book. I am extremely positive on this book. Of course, the book is too wordy and has too many human interest stories for the accomplished reader. Have not these people learned to read more rapidly when they get it and more slowly when they don't? Look at what the author said and did. He said the subject needs to be understood by everybody--not just his professional colleagues. He selects a co-author that has the skills to make book accessible to the lay person.

  Why is sleep important? In this book you will learn that you are probably shortening your life span by poor sleep. Accidents from poor sleep are about as serious as drugs and alcohol. There are sleep diseases that MD's are doing a poor job on--particularly apnea. Most parents are failing to protect their teen age children from serious health problems and school performance problems through careless guidance on sleep. People are damaging their careers by poor sleep. How could this not be an important book for the average person. Their is no reason that MD's should not read this book. They ought to at least go far enough into the subject that they start reading professionally and stop letting their patients die from the doctors lack of knowledge about sleep. The lack of citations in the book is missed by the accomplished, interested reader.

  The discussion of chemical events that transpire during sleep helped me understand how to start managing my sleep problems. The detailed discussion about normal sleep is really excellent. He gives me a renewed understanding about learning how the healthy human body works by understanding disease. It so easy to forget that the study of disease is tightly related to understanding the healthy human.

  The paperback edition not only has an index it has two excellent appendix. One lists all the worthy sleep centers in the USA. This alone could save many lives as their are so many MD's that are failing to diagnose sleep problems. The appendix that summarizes the various sleep disorders is excellent. Don't let a few goofy reviews distract you from seriously considering this book. I have reread some parts of this book several times. I have given several speeches largely based on this book. This is one of the ten most important books in recent decades.
  
  

• An excellent source of info for some people

  
  By A27D8ADDYNY5N8 on 2006-07-15
  "The Promise of Sleep" is the eminent Dr. Dement's magnum opus for the masses. It contains more information than most of us will ever want to know about sleep. It is a long and intricate book, and it reads like a grant proposal. Most of us will read the sections that apply to us, and will use the book as a reference. I didn't read the whole thing and neither did any of you. So if you plan to read the whole thing... you are dreaming. But I find myself returning to this book repeatedly, for various health-related reasons. Here I discuss the people I think will benefit from this book, and why. Then I discuss what I believe to be Dr. Dement's biases, for better or worse. Finally, I discuss some other books which you might consider in addition to, or instead of, this one.
  
  Here are the people who will benefit from this book, and why.
  
  1) PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TURBO-CHARGE THEIR SLEEP. You want to optimize sleep's restorative powers, and to optimize your mental functioning while awake. I believe that you are unlikely to find a better source of practical information than this book, though of course there are free sources available online. The fourth part of the book (about 125 pages) is devoted to "The Principles of Healthy Sleep." This section includes 6 chapters that include self-assessment procedures, ways to set priorities and seek professional advice, strategies for dealing with specific situations (e.g., driving, flying, difficult work schedules), ways to optimize sleep across the lifespan, ways to manage caffeine, alcohol, other drugs, diet, and exercise to improve the quality of sleep, and more. Personally, I found the tips for dealing with jet lag to be very helpful, and non-intuitive in some instances. And I've reduced my "sleep debt" significantly. And... I've used tips to optimize creativity.
  
  2) PEOPLE WHO SUSPECT THAT THEY HAVE A SLEEP DISORDER. You want to diagnose yourself or someone you know. First off, let me assure you that you are right to try to educate yourself in this way. Managed care medicine (which dominates the US) is not exactly geared toward diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, and you are likely to know more about sleep disorders and their consequences than many medical professionals. So go for it. Have the facts ready when you go to battle with clinical professionals who can't or won't do their jobs. I'm not advocating that you diagnose yourself without proper medical assistance. But knowing what to look for, and knowing implications for diagnoses makes plenty of sense. Appendix A lists the menu of sleep disorders. I found this list very helpful relative to sources that I use professionally, as a psychotherapist. Therapists typically use the DSM-IV diagnostic scheme, which is OK but highly limited. Dr. Dement's list is MUCH more comprehensive than the diagnostic schemes that I've seen elsewhere, but his list seems credible because HE is so credible. Additionally, Part 2 of the text (about 100 pages) is titled "When Sleep Fails." This section contains 5 chapters with considerable information about diagnosis and treatment. It contains sections on (among other things) the insomnias and their causes (e.g. mood issues, fibromyalgia), snoring and sleep apnea (a hugely important chapter; obstructive apnea is vastly under-diagnosed but treatable), narcolepsy, sleepwalking and sleep terrors, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
  
  3) PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SLEEP DISORDER, AND WANT TO LEARN MORE. There's plenty in the book about theory, methods, and applications. If you want to become a walking encyclopedia on your (or your loved one's) sleep disorder, this book is an excellent place to start. Moreover, Dement provides websites which provide good information. You'll want to consult these websites to find out about new developments. For instance, CPAP machines for sleep apnea continues to improve, so find out the latest.
  
  4) MEDICAL AND HEALTH PRACTITIONERS. Many clinicians don't know much about sleep disorders, and so this is a good place to start. Diagnostic tools like the DSM-IV are highly limited. (see 2 above). As a mental health practitioner who asks about sleep and who teaches group stress reduction courses, I've found that I'm in a good position to screen for things like sleep apnea. For instance, I'll sometimes have a room full of people doing a "body scan" or "progressive relaxation" and a fair number of people will fall asleep, and begin to snore. When I mention sleep apnea to these people, they usually haven't heard of it. But more than a few of them got the official diagnosis, and are benefiting from treatment. If you refer your clients to a sleep lab / sleep study, Appendix A gives you a language and classification scheme that you'll find very helpful.
  
  5) INSTRUCTORS WHO WANT TO TEACH ABOUT SLEEP. I can imagine this book being used as a textbook for a course on sleep. There's plenty of theory, methods, and clinical interventions discussed in this book. I teach grad psychology classes that touch upon these topics, but this book is WAYYYY too long for that. I plan to review Appendix A in my classes, and to find a short chapter on sleep disorders (preferably by Dr. Dement). Once again, the DSM-IV offers a very basic coverage of sleep disorders, but Dement's coverage is more thorough.
  
  Here are Dr. Dement's BIASES, as I see them.
  
  1) Dr. Dement has a bias that causes him to emphasize some treatments while dismissing (more or less) other treatments. The reader will want to be aware of these things. I'm not saying Dement is right or wrong, but if your bias differs from his, you should know the following. Dr. Dement tends to favor the judicious use of medicines like sleeping pills in some instances, and he's less enthusiastic about many "alternative" strategies, such as herbs.
  
  2) I've heard some people suggest that sleep treatments (like CPAP machines for sleep abnea), have become something of a racket. The suggestion is that if you go for a sleep study, it is worth it to the practitioners to diagnose you and sell you a CPAP machine. If that's the case, then perhaps Dr. Dement feeds into this conflict of interest, which leads to unnecessary treatments. Personally, I don't buy this. I think Dr. Dement is on to something BIG, and that we'll be better off if we diagnose and treat sleep disorders, with greater frequency.
  
  Here are a couple other books that tackle many of the same topics. This book is not the only or final word on this topic.
  
  Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, 4th Edition (Principles & Practice of Sleep Medicine) by Meir H. Kryger, Thomas Roth, and William Dement (2005). For clinical professionals.
  
  Sleep Disorders for Dummies by Max Ph.D., A.B.S.M. Hirshkowitz, Patricia B. Smith, and William C. Dement (2004)
  
  So... I recommend the book and thank Dr. Dement for his remarkable contributions to sleep medicine.
  
  
  ****UPDATE**** March, 2007. There's a GREAT program on sleep that is viewable online via The Science Network and Roger Bingham. Search for "The Science Network" and "Waking Up to Sleep." The program contains hours of entertaining by leading sleep researchers. (Dement is not included among the speakers.) MUST SEE...
  
  

• Disappointing--it should have been much better

  
  By on 1999-10-13
  William Dement knows more about sleep research than anyone, and this book should have let us all in on what he knows. It doesn't. I suspect that the problem was the publisher's pushing too hard to make it "readable" and "popular". We are given too many stories about Dement's personal life, often irrelevant to his point (by contrast-- to name a terrific science writer-- Steven Pinker's stories and anecdotes always illustrate a point). Some of Dement's ideas and key points are repeated too often; some of his other ideas need more detailing. We are talked down to. The lack of an index creates incredible inconvenience (there's an interesting comment on caffeine that I'm sure is in there somewhere but I don't know how I'll find it without reading the whole book again). Also, the lack of endnotes is unacceptable in a book of this sort (see Pinker or Jonathan Weiner for examples of how it should be done). Yes, there is a lot of insight; and as I said, the man knows more about the subject than anyone, so you will learn useful things. But I wish he'd try again, and write a book that doesn't underestimate the reader's attention span and ability. It would be much more useful.
  
  
• Good information but a lot of editing needed!
  By ABFEPSB0DXPI2 on 2002-02-24
  As you read this tome you realize that it being written by somebody with the odd balance of ego and humility that comes with being both a tenured professor and leading expert in a specific field.

  To be sure, you'll learn everything there is about sleep that you never knew who to ask. There is a lot of good information that is written in layman's terms. The problem is you're going to have to [rummage]through a lot to read the important information.

  The book is 540 pages long and could have been at least 200 pages shorter with better editing. There is way too much information about the author that isn't necessary. I really don't care about his love of Jazz music--unless it's going to help me sleep! He spends a lot of time lambasting the medical community for not knowing enough about sleep--some of it well deserved. One excellent point that Dement makes is regarding the use of sleeping pills. They have been demonized by the medical community when they could do a lot of people good with little actual downside. He recounts a story of one college student who was in desperate need of sleep. He tells about trying to get the school's infirmary to write a prescription for sleeping pills, which they flatly refused. I kept wondering why Dement himself didn't simply write the script?

  Also, while sleep disorders make life miserable for a lot of people and lead to a lot of problems (such as Dement's accurate description of the cause of the Exxon Valdez) the whole world isn't about to die from sleep depravation. There's too much "the sky is falling" in the book.

  With a good editor this could have been the definitive book on the subject of sleep. As it is you'll just have to skim through it to find the relevant information.
  
  

• Are You Sleep Illiterate??
  By A2VP7JOT3K7PFM on 2005-10-12
  +++++
  
  Answer true or false to these ten statements:
  
  (1) Depriving people of dreams causes mental illness.
  (2) Drowsiness, that feeling when the eyelids are trying to close and we cannot keep them open, is the first step and not the last step before we fall asleep.
  (3) Generally, people need to sleep one hour for every two hours awake.
  (4) Insomnia is a disease.
  (5) The purpose of sleep is to rest the body, especially the muscles.
  (6) Although sleep needs vary, people who sleep about eight hours, on average, tend to live longer.
  (7) If you are well rested, it should take about five to ten minutes to fall asleep.
  (8) The single symptom most frequently found in all severe sleep disorders is daytime fatigue.
  (9) Sleep gets lighter and more fragmented as we age.
  (10) We know what sleep is for, how it works, and how it affects us on a cellular level.
  
  If you answered true to any one of statements (1,2,4,5,7,10) or false to any one of (3,6,8,9), then you may need the help of this book co-authored by Dr. William Dement, "a pioneer in sleep medicine."
  
  This easy-to-read book is divided into four parts (where each part except the first part begins with a brief preamble):
  
  (i) The Fundamentals of Sleep (5 chapters)
  Covers such topics as rapid eye movements, sleep debt, fatigue, the biological clock, and circadian rhythms.
  
  (ii) When Sleep Fails (4 chapters)
  Some topics mentioned are insomnia and its treatment, snoring, apnea, sleep disorders, and sleep deprivation.
  
  (iii) When Sleep Works (5 chapters)
  Topics include longevity and the immune system, mood and vitality, dreams, creativity, productivity, and learning.
  
  (iv) The Principles of Healthy Sleep (6 chapters)
  The chapters in this part center around five main areas "for reclaiming healthy sleep."
  
  This book, I feel, is strongest at conveying how to understand sleep. There are some instances regarding sleep remedies but the authors warn that for medical advice and treatment, you should consult the appropriate medical person. However, for those with sleep problems, part four of this book should be most helpful since it offers practical advice.
  
  This book ends with three appendices that I feel are excellent. The third appendix is especially good since it lists ten important internet sites.
  
  There's only one major problem with this book: it's way too long. It is too long because Dement wants to tell his biography at the same time and give anecdotal stories. The result is that the reader has to read through all this detail before encountering a point of importance. This problem gets worse as one proceeds through the book. Summary pages of key points at the end of each chapter would have been most helpful.
  
  However, this problem does not make the book unworthy of reading since the information conveyed is important. Impatient readers will probably disagree with me though.
  
  Finally, I should WARN prospective buyers of this book that it is only the paperback version that has an index. An index, especially for this long book, is important because it allows one to access important information quickly.
  
  In conclusion, this is a good book that "explores the vital connection between health, happiness, and a good night's sleep." If you want to understand this important part of your life, then this is the book to get!!
  
  (first published 1999; acknowledgements; introduction; 4 parts or 20 chapters; main narrative 450 pages; afterword; 3 appendices; index for paperback version only)
  
  +++++
  
  
  
• The Promise of Sleep is an unbelievably great book!
  By on 1999-04-19
  I have wanted to learn something about sleep, and particularly about insomnia, for quite awhile. When I came across The Promise of Sleep in my local bookstore, I was a little put off by its size. I expected that getting through it would not be easy. Was I ever wrong! Dr. Dement's book reads like a novel. I couldn't put it down, and I carried it around for several days, reading every chance I got until I was finished.

  Dr. Dement says at the outset that his goal is to give people the fundamental knowledge they need to change the way they sleep and live. Having read the book, I can now say that I received an excellent basic education about sleep. What's more, I was taught by the number one man in the field. On top of all that, it was fun and enjoyable.

  In addition to solving my own particular difficulty sleeping, I have been able to help a couple of close relatives with their sleep problems. In fact, I am now known as the "guru of sleep" by my family and friends giving advice and recommending the book at the drop of a hat. For example:

  Do you feel fatigued and exhausted? This book is for you. This vast majority of fatigue problems arise from disordered sleep.

  Do you want to succeed in life? This book is for you. You must manage your sleep and you must know how much sleep you need. And accumulating sleep debt, as Dr. Dement describes with marvelous clarity, can lead to bankruptcy, failure in school, and failure on the job. Not to mention failure in bed.

  Do you snore, or more to the point, do you share a bed with someone who snores? This book is for you. Loud snoring is bad news and you must do something about it. Fortunately something can be done.

  Are you a parent of young children? This book is for you. Healthy breathing during sleep may be the single most important issue for a growing child. If your child has noisy breathing during sleep, do something. The consequences for adult life may be tremendous.

  Do you have trouble sleeping? This book is for you.

  Are you wondering if you should use sleeping pills? This book is for you.

  Do you know anyone who has suffered from a stroke or a heart attack? There is a strong likelihood that sleep apnea played a major role.

  Are you wondering if you should consult a physician about your sleep? This book is the best thing you could possibly read before doing so.

  Are you concerned about safety in your home, in your job, in your traveling? This book is for you.

  Do you wonder what your dreams mean? This book is for you.

  Now that I have completed Sleep 101, I am looking for a more advanced book that focuses on biological rhythms. Later, I might want to read more about sleep disorders or about dreams. I counted 127 different books on various aspects of nutrition the last time I was in my bookstore. Surely we could have at least a dozen books dealing in depth with one or other of the many different manifestions and abnormalities of sleep. I hope a few will soon be forthcoming, and I hope they will be as readable and entertaining as The Promise of Sleep.
  
  

• Excellent, extremely helpful and therapeutic work on sleep
  By A95AXNJHOXSI1 on 2001-04-26
  Dear Amazon readers!

  Anyone troubled with sleep difficulties or interested in the science of sleep should definitely read Dr. Dement's book, which has fundamentally changed my understanding of and attitude towards sleep, and as a result, radically improved my health (both mental and physical). I'm a graduate student in the final semester of writing my dissertation, and I have always had terrible sleep problems; things grew so bad this term that I decided I had to learn whatever I could about sleep, and happily, found this book. I read it all the way through and was helped immensely, both by Dement's practical suggestions and by his wonderfully lucid, accessible and thorough presentation of the science of sleep.

  If you want to only read one book on the subject, this is the one to choose: Dement is one of the foremost researchers in the subject, and has devoted a long career to the study of sleep. He also has a gift for conveying this information to laypeople, and an an urgent sense of why it's important that it be widely disseminated. He's concerned about the public health effects of sleep deprivation (including automobile and other transportation accidents, as well as many individual health problems). Reading this has made me really prioritize sleep, and encourage my friends and family to do the same.
  
  

• Interesting and informative
  By on 2000-01-15
  I bought this book after hearing an interview on NPR with Dr. Dement. I found the book to be very interesting, and I have had fun discussing with friends some of the concepts I've learned. The book reads like fascinating conversation without immersing the reader in too much techno-speak, making it easy to comprehend, which I think was one of Dr. Dement's goals. However the conversation-stlyle sometimes is long, and I had to take a moment to recall, "What was the point again?" Overall, the style suited me well. I really enjoyed the book and have recommended it to many people.

  The reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is this: IT NEEDS AN INDEX!
  
  

• Good info. but a painful read
  By on 2002-02-15
  I find myself weeding through the book trying to pick out the actual informative content regarding sleep because so much of the content is autobiographical and self-laudatory -- not so much about sleep but about the good doctor himself; and even when he is discussing sleep, he never fails to point out how he and no other discovered this or that. If the doctor simply stuck with the subject at hand -- sleep, I would have given more stars. Rather, I feel as if I am reading the CV of an egomaniac.
  
  
• Read this, even if you don't think you have a sleep problem.
  By A3OA0GXVATLTQ1 on 1999-11-08
  I'm only half way through this book and I am ordering two more copies to give to people I love. I can't wait to finish the book and lend them my copy.

  This book is fascinating, chock-full of interesting facts about sleep, the history of sleep research, and what to do to get more and better sleep.

  Results from studies about sleep deprived medical care providers, truck drivers, and pilots should convince even the skeptical that we all have a sleep problem even if we sleep soundly every night.
  
  

• Not much practical advice
  By A2BQXCDJL3XSOB on 2001-06-11
  Unlike some of the other posters, I didn't find this book particularly new. I'd heard most of it before. I was hoping for some practical advice on sleep, and instead the only "message" was "get more sleep". Very little on how to balance sleep with practical concerns. For example, he says "if you're sleepy when driving, pull over and rest". But as a woman driving alone, I don't feel safe sleeping in my car. No comment on the trade-off between being slightly sleepy and risking danger. He also doesn't really address the realities of schedules that we can't always control (or does he think everyone gets to decide what time to go to work in the morning).

  From the description, I was hoping for a practical book with solutions and instead I got scientific information about sleep (interesting but nothing new, I'd read it many times before) and anecdotes that said "not sleeping is bad" which I've also heard many times before. I'm still waiting for a book on sleep that comes at it from a more practical perspective.
  
  

• Pedantic, packed with trivial anecdotal time wasting stories
  By A1CJSG6XC0QB56 on 1999-07-16
  I am a Geriactric Nurse Practitioner, Teach graduate courses, read extensively and hated this book. If the author could refrain from "Then I set up the worlds first..." and if the information could be separated from the self-promoting biographical stories, it might be useful. However you are so tired of listening to him blathering that you fall asleep; Perhaps the intention of the book!! Buy a briefer more useful book instead.
  
  
• Only dummies would find it boring
  By on 2002-09-14
  This is a clear, authoritative, thorough book on the basics of sleep, sleep disorders, and the serious and subtle consequences of sleep deprivation. By reading it, I learned how to deal with my own sleep problems more effectively because I now have a better understanding of how sleep works and why sleep fails.

  Although I agree that the author is leisurely and a bit indulgent with his personal anecdotes, I found his tone to be thoughtful, committed, and proud of his work rather than self-aggrandizing. Anyone who complains about "wading" should stick to large-type self-help books with lots of bulleted lists.

  I also find it ironic that so many reviewers found the book "useless" and "uninformative"--it should be to Dr. Dement's credit that the fruits of much of his work have made it far enough into the mainstream to be considered "common knowledge." If a good, well-justified explanation of the research and reasoning behind this "common knowledge" is not your idea of "getting to the point," then this is not the book for you.
  
  

• A Panaroma fo a new field in medicine
  By A2L5KJYK768872 on 2000-03-29
  This is one of the most important books of the decade. Written for the general public, all physicians and health care workers should read it. Dr. Dement is one of the true pioneers of medicine and we get to see the sweep of his research in an entire speciality during our lifetime! Exercise, Nutrition and now Sleep are added to the cornerstones of good health. A real insight into not only new diseases, but a look at how basic research is done from the beginning. A must read.
  
  
• Interesting topic, boring book...
  By AWM3EOQC4MWIQ on 2000-05-16
  This book is a perfect example how a mix of good elements does not necessarily guarantee a good book. The topic is interesting, the author has stellar credentials, and the book is a resounding bore that sometimes rambles for pages and pages without adding any substance. I hoped for a clear, lucid explanation of how sleep works, a sort of "everything we know about sleep" compendium. Instead pages of repetitively turgid, humorless, and too often self-congratulatory prose explain things that are important, but either very basic, or of limited interest to general public: yes, we all need more sleep, lack of sleep accumuates over time and has bad effects of overall health; yes, the lack of sleep is a cause of accidents and other serious consequences, and there are gazillion sleep disorders (although it's probably best to leave it to specialists). That's about it. Do we really need a brick size book to learn that? One thing is for sure: if you have problems falling asleep this snoozer is guaranteed to knock you out in less than half an hour!
  
  
• informative but unneccesarily *lllooonnngg*
  By A233KZTTRORQRF on 1999-09-28
  I like how Dr. Dement puts the concept of sleep and its role of necessity and importance in everyday living in simple terms. I no longer under-estimate the importance of good, revitalizing sleep.

  However: the many painstaking, substantial, and unnecessary digressions into details of his personal experiences really detract from the readability of his work. Anyone accustomed to reading concise, directed scientific writing will find this book very frustrating.

  I like the message; it's just that it could have been made in one fourth the number of pages! (four stars for content, minus one for lack of conciseness)
  
  

• Useful but flawed
  By on 2001-07-29
  The topic is important but Dr. Dement gets in the way. Again and again the message is "I am important. My research area is so important. I am really accomplished. I am really smart." Example: Dement claims that the single most important factor in performance is sleep. Oh really? The 49ers are playing Dallas and Joe Montana had a bad night's sleep--that make me a better quarterback?

  Dement's Sleep Commission (he got it going and he was in charge, as he will tell you repeatedly) according to Dement "directed Congress to act." The last time I read the Constitution, commissions didn't have the power to direct Congress to make laws. That doesn't sit well with Dement--imagine just making recommendations instead of directing, what an affront. Dement is easily affronted. Is there a large deficit and is it necessary to set priorities--an outrage! Someone wants to spend money on cancer research rather than sleep research--unacceptable!

  About 15% of the material covers what you want to know--how to improve your sleep. Since this is an important topic, it is worth putting up with the self-praising material to get to the useful stuff.
  
  

• Simply the best book on sleep
  By A3NH5N9EYHIVNA on 2005-03-08
  I read this thing cover to cover. It was a great review of what I had learned undergraduate, medical school and residency. And then some. This is a very readable and complete work on the scientific study of sleep. The coverage of sleep disorders is the best I have ever seen. The sleep debt and body clock concepts are the most enlightening topics for me. This man is one of, if not the world's leading expert one sleep. If you read only one book on the subject, read this one. You likely won't need to read another.
  
  
• Critically important book about a crucial part of your life
  By A1K0WOHJX5B8OK on 2005-10-30
  The author marvels about how something that is so important, sleep, could be so overlooked by the medical community and by the public. By the time you have read this book you will be amazed by how little you knew about something so important as your sleep. This is without a doubt the best book on sleep available. The only downside is that it is long, and some people may not have the motivation or discipline to finish it. The many biographical notes by the author increases the length, and the book repeats itself. Nevertheless, this is vitally important information. I was surprised about many misconceptions I had about sleep which I believe have been quite detrimental to me. For example, I had no idea of the concept of sleep debt -- that you must "pay back" the hours you are awake by sleeping at the rate of about 1 hour per 2 hours awake (the exact rate depends on the individual) -- and that for the most sleep debt carries over from night to night. For example, if you have a large sleep debt, then sleeping 8 hours a night for a week will not make it go away, you will continue to be the run-down the whole week and you need to sleep more than 8 hours a day to pay that debt back. The book shatters many terrible misconceptions -- such as the being sleepy is evidence that you slept too much, when in fact it is evidence you need to sleep more. It also explains the mistaken belief most people and doctors have that sleeping pills are addictive, cause dependence, and can even result in overdose (the ones from 30 to 40 years did, but today's don't). It explains how snoring is probably evidence of a very common and very serious disorder (sleep apnea), which, when treated can improve the quality of your life tremendously. It also provides a section, late in the book, to help you diagnose and understand your own sleep and sleep problems. Extremely enlightening book and on an overlooked and crucially important subject. Understanding and application of the information in this book truly has the power to improve, and in many cases, save your life. Don't hesitate to buy it, and follow up by reading it all.
  
  
• Good info, poorly written
  By A2NBERKNDP4PL1 on 2005-11-01
  I hope the writing sytle of Dr. Dement's journal articles and public relations peices are different then the one he used in this book. If they are the same, it would explain a lot about why there isn't as much public recognition of sleep problems...
  
  That said, I wanted to like this book. I tried. Really. But I couldn't make it 1/4 of the way through.
  
  The content of this book is very interesting and important, or at least it should be. For example, the notion of sleep debt is a very important one and should become part of our everyday lives.
  
  However, the style of this book is thick and meandering, making it hard to skim or digest any key points. If you ask any technical writer what the worst thing you could possible say about a peice of writing, they'd tell you "so what?"; which basically means an author failed to do their primary function: successfully communicate. Many, many times I was asking myself "so what? whats your point??" For example there was a page long digression about a conference where there was a naked dancer (I think that is what it was talking about anyway). Is this book about sleep, or about Dr. Dement's conference trips? Who knows...
  
  Clocking in at around 450 pages, this book is far, far to long. With some basic editing, the book could easily be distilled to about 1/2 it size and not loose any of its message. I really wish somebody would do it too, then maybe I could finish reading all this man knows about sleep... But at this length and with this writing style, I just can't bare it.
  
  
• A great book -- absolutely amazing
  By A2LGR3GZ12QHR5 on 2000-03-29
  This is one of the most amazingly informative books I've ever read. I cringe to think how ignorant I was about my own sleep habits (or lack thereof) before this. The biggest problem I have now is thinking about all the sleep-deprived people out there on the streets and highways. "Scary" doesn't begin to describe it. Dr. Dement has definitely given me pause.

  Side note: Am I the only person who got a copy that includes an index (pg. 525-540)? Most of the other reviewers complain about this but my (hardcover) copy definitely has it. Perhaps this was a problem with the 1st edition only (mine is 2nd edition). Hmmmm...
  
  

• bringing knowledge to the public
  By ARJOEMQZCY9CC on 2000-06-17
  I read this book and was extremely happy to find for once that a respected member of the academic world felt that bringing the lessons of his research to the general public was as important as producing the research itself. The message of the book is very reassuring to me personally, as I have always had difficulty balancing all of the pressures of fast-paced academic and professional life. Dr. Dement's prescription for healthy sleep and healthy living, has opened up a refreshing new understanding of the importance of balance in life to me...Finally, a body of solid scientific evidence that encourages us to take care of ourselves and our happiness! READ THIS BOOK!
  
  
• The Promise of Sleep delivers what it promises
  By A3GU6MHBVVK78F on 2001-07-16
  My real rating is 4.9 stars and not 5; the reason is: the book is excellent from many points of view: whether you are interested in the physics or physiology of sleeping, or interested on knowing more about a specific sleep disorder, or on how to manage travelling situations that will disturb your sleeping habits. If you are in one of those situations, buy the book. The 0.1 missing star is for too many pages and the "too much about Dement" presence and protagonism, though many of his anecdotes are very interesting and to the point.
  
  
• You must read this boook...
  By on 2000-04-21
  I've read several books on sleep, and none of them come close to being as soundly researched and honest as this book. I wish those giving negative reviews would recommend an alternative book because I've never found a better one. Yes, it has lots of stories, but most of them apply to whatever principle he is teaching. This book gave me the knowledge and courage to change my sleeping habits starting the day I read it, and I've never felt better.

  I especially recommend this book to anyone who has a child or friend diagnosed with ADHD; many "symptoms" of ADHD and sleepiness are similar, so any tests for ADHD should take this into account. (I tested positive for ADHD, but most of my "symptoms" have gone away as I've followed the advice in this book!)

  I only wish it had an index.
  
  

• Should be on the best-seller list.
  By on 1999-09-01
  Groundbreaking book! Answered questions and PROVIDED SOLUTIONS to problems I have had for years and I'm 56. A big plus of the book is his emphasis on safety. Being tired and especially being drowsy is life-threatening. This is a book everyone should read. It's hard to understand why a few readers have panned it; perhaps they were put off by his personal style and his repetitious alarms on the dangers of sleep deprivation. Dr. Dement obviously feels passionate about his subject and it's value to the reader. Thank goodness because it took tremendous dedication and perseverance to research sleep. Now we can benefit from it.
  
  
• There are lessons for everyone
  By on 2003-07-27
  I picked up this book at the Stanford bookstore because I suspected my daughter and my husband may be suffering from a sleeping disorder. After reading the book, I found out that I may have one too! Dr. Dement destroys many of the myths surrounding sleep including the myth that sleeping pills are bad. I was particularly struck by the dangers of driving drowsy, something I do quite often as a consultant who travels to clients. I now know there are actions that I can take to minimize the risk, including scheduling meeting times more in tune with the low energy points during the day. The book is written in a style that is clear, concise, and easy to read. Though I do not think all his recommendations are necessarily practical, you can pick and choose those that will work for you. I highly recommend this book for everyone, but particularly if someone in your family is having trouble sleeping.
  
  
• Saved y Husband's Life
  By ANQ1QF6O5HB2D on 2001-07-11
  When I first met my husband he had trouble sleeping,suffered from anxiety, depression and severe hypertension(a blood pressure of 260/160! No doctor suggested a sleep study because my husband believed he did not snore! In truth he could have taken the roof off. Well, I found Dr. Dement's book and I knew that this was the answer. I read chapter after chapter and diagnosed my husband way before any doctor did. He is now a happy, relaxed man with a blood pressure of 125/64. This book saved his life because it gave me proof of my convictions that he was suffocating at night. Please read this book even if you do not have any of these symptoms...it is a fascinating work.
  
  
• everything you want/need to know about sleep
  By A3C3KRQQV7EWBU on 2005-03-06
  An authoritative and comprehensive introduction to sleep for the lay person. The author William C. Dement, a pioneer in sleep medicine, laments the fact that the society in general and even most physicians don't know much about sleep and the potential danger of not having enough sleep, and thus besides suggesting ways to help us sleep better, he also presents a nice, extended summary of our scientific and clinical understanding of the mechanisms of sleep and sleep disorders. The book could be made quite a bit shorter if he had cut down on the number of personal anecdotes cited, although many of these anecdotes are quite amusing and have made the book more fun to read. As a biologist, I thoroughly enjoyed his review of the history of sleep research and of the mechanisms and/or functions of sleep, circadian rhythms, dreams, etc. However, if you are just looking for sleep advice, you may want to start with Chapters 19 and 20, followed by Chapters 15 through 18. Lots of good suggestions are provided in those chapters, e.g. we should try to reduce most but not all sleep debt, get exposed to bright light in the morning, become physically more active during the day, use caffeine sparingly and strategically, etc. After that, learn more about the common sleep disorders and their treatments in Chapters 6 through 9 - you might have one or more of these disorders and thus need to know what to do! But of course, to get the most out of this book, one should read from cover to cover.
  
  I rarely try to tackle books as thick as this one, but it's a great book and I couldn't put it down as soon as I started reading it!
  
  

• The Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night's Sleep (Harvard Medical School Guides)
• Say Goodnight to Insomnia
• Power Sleep : The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance
• Sleep Disorders For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness))
• No More Sleepless Nights