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The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams (Cambridge Fundamentals of Neuroscience in Psychology)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 96 ratings

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This book provides a complete introduction to the neuroscience of sleep and dreams in plain language. In it, Patrick McNamara outlines new discoveries in the science of sleep and dreams, places them within an evolutionary context, and brings them together with existing scientific findings and implications for sleep medicine. Unlike other introductory texts, the important evolutionary background and social nature of sleep and dreams is emphasized. Major advances in sleep medicine, sleep and memory, dream content analyzes, brain correlates of sleep stages and lifespan development of sleep are covered in depth. While the text is geared towards students, the general reader and scientists studying other disciplines will find it accessible and informative.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is an accessible and much-needed resource for students, teachers, and the general public. Sleep and dream sciences are rapidly expanding, but are underrepresented in psychology and neuroscience textbooks. This book fills the gap perfectly! Patrick McNamara’s fascinating incorporation of social and evolutionary neuroscience is certain to engage readers from many backgrounds.' Edward F. Pace-Schott, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts

'Patrick McNamara gives all the answers that science has found so far; covering the psychology, neuroscience, evolution, and social aspects of sleep and dreams in a balanced and integrated manner that is a joy to read. Anyone who wants to know what science really knows about sleep and dreams should read this book.' Antti Revonsuo, University of Skövde, Sweden, and University of Turku, Finland

'The text is an introduction, as indicated by the title, but it could serve easily as a university textbook, containing clear learning objectives, review questions, and further reading sections. It is an absorbing read, an informative reference, and will appeal to students and researchers at every level of training.' Tore Nielsen, Director, Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Université de Montréal

'This book offers an authoritative and clearly written overview of neuroscience's answers to questions about sleep and dreams. Patrick McNamara explains research findings suitable for the beginner, but also with enough depth for the experienced. I recommend it enthusiastically to all who want a solid scientific perspective on sleep and dreams.' Deirdre Barrett, author of The Committee of Sleep

'I found the chapter on dream varieties the most interesting, it is the longest chapter too and includes the characteristics of the wide variety of dream types reported by people.' Carol Singleton, Nursing Times

‘The well-organized format of the chapters includes learning objectives at the beginning, as well as review questions and further reading at the end, making the text suitable for classroom use. Highly recommended for collections in sleep, dream, and consciousness studies.’ J. Bailey, Choice

'The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams does a great job of summarizing contemporary research and theories in a fashion that facilities accessibility for readers, and should be of great interest to anyone seeking a general state-of-the-art of sleep and dream research.' Jean-Baptiste Eichenlaub, International Journal of Dream Research

Book Description

Introduces the neuroscience of sleep and dreams, including an investigation into their potential evolutionary and social functions.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (April 25, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 278 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1316629740
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1316629741
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.63 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 96 ratings

About the author

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Patrick McNamara
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Patrick McNamara, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at Northcentral University and an Associate Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine and Research Professor of Neurology at U of Minnesota School of Medicine. His research focuses on sleep and dreams, psychology of religion and brain and cognition more broadly. He has received VA Merit Review Awards as well several National Institute of Health awards. He has authored numerous publications on sleep and dreams as well as religion and brain (see an old website www.bumc.bu.edu/len) and related topics. He graduated with a BA in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University in 1991. In 2012 he obtained a Masters degree in theology from St Joesph College. He was a co-founder of the Institute for the Bio-cultural study of Religion (now Center for Mind and Culture, Boston) as well as the journal Religion, Brain and Behavior. He blogs on sleep and dreams at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dream-catcher

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
96 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024
    This book offers amazing insight into what happens when we sleep and dream. This is an excellent book that is a must read for any health enthusiast. The author has the humility to state what is and isn't known about sleeping and dreaming. The author also states that undesirable consequences are more likely to happen for people who have vivid dreams often.
    I emailed the author questions that I had after reading his book. He was kidn enough to answer them.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022
    Excellent summary of the state of knowledge regarding sleep and dreams. Well organized into conceptual sections, the consensus view, and its justification in the literature. Serves as a great example of what a summary text can be.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    My high school students will enjoy the information in this book when we address sleep and dreams.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020
    Have been reading it- so far so good.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019
    McNamara is a first-rate researcher who writes clearly, no obfuscating jargon, with scientific terms clearly defined. Six chapters address sleep, neuroscience & brain functioning, REM & NonREM, sleep disorders, integrative theories. Five chapters address dreams and discuss and integrate current research on content, type, functions, theories. Some cross-cultural material. This would be an excellent university text for a course exploring dreams or sleep.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2022
    the content might be good but the font is so small I almost need a magnifying glass to read it...it can't be more than a 6 point font. Bummer. I'd skip the paperback, at least in Kindle you can enlarge the font and actually read it. Will not buy from this author or publisher again.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Eva
    2.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Basic
    Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2024
    This book boasts of how its simple enough for the layman but also great for serious students and even neuroscientists who want to brush up their knowledge. This is a wildly untrue claim. The book is extremely basic, it lacks so much detail its hard to even read as it raises more questions than it answers. If you are looking for a complete raw intro this book is fabulous but, I can’t see any occasion where this should be used academically and I wish I’d saved to buy a textbook instead.
  • EIA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura obligada
    Reviewed in Spain on June 26, 2024
    Gran libro para introducirse en la neurociencia del sueño
  • JennieMW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2019
    Arrived in excellent condition. Very pleased with purchase.