INSOMNIACS OF THE WORLD, GOODNIGHT: A Bedside Book

by Hilary Rubinstein ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 4, 1974

Next to your low back pain, or your mother-in-law, insomnia is probably the most uninteresting vexation you can have and sure to turn off any doctor or friend. Still, as Zarathustra spoke, ""Sleeping is no mean art; for its sake one must stay awake all day."" Perhaps not -- as you'll learn here -- Churchill always napped in the afternoon to be more productive late at night. This book is a multiphasic examination of the problem about which we are still ignorant in spite of all those REMarkable sleep studies, outlined here with various other experimental programs. The new tranquilizers are better than the old barbiturates; both are essentially inoperative after a time (and not healthy). The author, after examining other therapies -- electrosleep, gadgets, etc. -- comes on more strongly for Horlick's or an apple. There's some interesting research, Ernest L. Hartmann's on psychological typing of long vs. short sleepers, and as we know dreams are both functional and necessary. And -- in the event that you're counting white sheep during those long white nights -- try some of the brain games and puzzles here, read some of the shorter works (Shakespeare, Kafka, Waugh, Thurber, Nash, Roger Angell) and enjoy staying awake. The perfect Wynken, Blynken and Nod before you sail off in your wooden shoe, Wamsutta or waterbed.

Pub Date: Nov. 4, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION