Overview

Nathaniel Kleitman arrived in the US as a penniless teenager who could not speak a word of English. Within a decade, he was pioneering the first ever experiments about how we sleep, and why. He stayed up for 115 hours. He tried moving from a 24-hour day to a 48-hour one. As he became a national sensation, students hungered to join him. His protégés Eugene Aserinsky and William Dement uncovered the mysteries of our sleep cycles. Dement’s lab assistant, Mary Carskadon, went on to create the first diagnostic tests for sleeping problems. Together, these four figures revolutionised the field of sleep science from extreme self-experimentation to careful clinical work. As ever more of us lack a good night’s rest, Kenneth Miller unveils the lives of those who dedicated their lives to helping us get one.

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Reviews

‘By profiling the daring pioneers of sleep science, this fascinating, magisterially researched, and brilliantly written book pulls back the covers on one of the great mysteries of being human: why we spend a full third of our lives engaged in an activity that scientists are only beginning to understand. You'll never think about something you do every night the same way again.’ -- Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes ‘Is there anyone who hasn't—somewhere in the middle of a lost night—pondered the stubborn mystery of sleep? You'll find some of the best answers to that riddle here in Mapping the Darkness: an addictively readable history of the scientists who changed our thinking about the nature and necessity of rest itself.’ -- Deborah Blum, author of The Poison Squad ‘Combining the best of science writing and biography, Kenneth Miller spins a gripping story of how we have come to understand sleep from its basic biology to its impact on personal and public health.’ -- Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug ‘Thoroughly researched and admirably rendered, Mapping the Darkness is a must-read for anyone who has thought about sleep or the lack thereof.’  -- Charlotte D. Jacobs, author of Jonas Salk: A Life ‘In Mapping the Darkness, Kenneth Miller reveals the captivating story of how a quartet of scientists invented sleep science and set the stage for today’s revolt against the epidemic of sleep deprivation… Don’t start reading this book right before bed, or you will be so engrossed you may stay up all night.’ -- Laura J. Snyder, author of The Philosophical Breakfast Club ‘Eye-opening… The biographical background humanises the scientific history, and Miller excels at drawing out the real-world implications of the research… Readers will have no problem staying alert through this fascinating scientific history.’ -- Publishers Weekly, starred review ‘An interesting examination of an issue that affects us all. Miller shows us how a good night’s sleep came to be recognized as critical for health and development.’ -- Kirkus

‘A propulsive, utterly engrossing history.’ —New York Times ‘By profiling the daring pioneers of sleep science, this fascinating, magisterially researched, and brilliantly written book pulls back the covers on one of the great mysteries of being human: why we spend a full third of our lives engaged in an activity that scientists are only beginning to understand. You'll never think about something you do every night the same way again.’ —Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes ‘Mr Miller has a good eye for a great scientific story… The author is happy to show research as it is really done, indignities and all… For anyone curious about asking the right questions [about sleep], Mr Miller’s book is a good place to start.’ —Economist ‘A sweeping journey of discovery about dreams, sleep and the terra incognita of unconsciousness; and a wake-up call about the dangers of chronic exhaustion.’ —Wall Street Journal ‘Is there anyone who hasn't—somewhere in the middle of a lost night—pondered the stubborn mystery of sleep? You'll find some of the best answers to that riddle here in Mapping the Darkness: an addictively readable history of the scientists who changed our thinking about the nature and necessity of rest itself.’ -- Deborah Blum, author of The Poison Squad ‘Combining the best of science writing and biography, Kenneth Miller spins a gripping story of how we have come to understand sleep from its basic biology to its impact on personal and public health.’ -- Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug ‘Thoroughly researched and admirably rendered, Mapping the Darkness is a must-read for anyone who has thought about sleep or the lack thereof.’  -- Charlotte D. Jacobs, author of Jonas Salk: A Life ‘In Mapping the Darkness, Kenneth Miller reveals the captivating story of how a quartet of scientists invented sleep science and set the stage for today’s revolt against the epidemic of sleep deprivation… Don’t start reading this book right before bed, or you will be so engrossed you may stay up all night.’ -- Laura J. Snyder, author of The Philosophical Breakfast Club ‘Eye-opening… The biographical background humanises the scientific history, and Miller excels at drawing out the real-world implications of the research… Readers will have no problem staying alert through this fascinating scientific history.’ -- Publishers Weekly, starred review ‘An interesting examination of an issue that affects us all. Miller shows us how a good night’s sleep came to be recognized as critical for health and development.’ -- Kirkus

‘By profiling the daring pioneers of sleep science, this fascinating, magisterially researched, and brilliantly written book pulls back the covers on one of the great mysteries of being human: why we spend a full third of our lives engaged in an activity that scientists are only beginning to understand. You'll never think about something you do every night the same way again.’ -- Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes ‘Is there anyone who hasn't—somewhere in the middle of a lost night—pondered the stubborn mystery of sleep? You'll find some of the best answers to that riddle here in Mapping the Darkness: an addictively readable history of the scientists who changed our thinking about the nature and necessity of rest itself.’ -- Deborah Blum, author of The Poison Squad ‘Combining the best of science writing and biography, Kenneth Miller spins a gripping story of how we have come to understand sleep from its basic biology to its impact on personal and public health.’ -- Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug

‘By profiling the daring pioneers of sleep science, this fascinating, magisterially researched, and brilliantly written book pulls back the covers on one of the great mysteries of being human: why we spend a full third of our lives engaged in an activity that scientists are only beginning to understand. You'll never think about something you do every night the same way again.’ -- Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes ‘Is there anyone who hasn't—somewhere in the middle of a lost night—pondered the stubborn mystery of sleep? You'll find some of the best answers to that riddle here in Mapping the Darkness: an addictively readable history of the scientists who changed our thinking about the nature and necessity of rest itself.’ -- Deborah Blum, author of The Poison Squad ‘Combining the best of science writing and biography, Kenneth Miller spins a gripping story of how we have come to understand sleep from its basic biology to its impact on personal and public health.’ -- Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug ‘Eye-opening… The biographical background humanises the scientific history, and Miller excels at drawing out the real-world implications of the research… Readers will have no problem staying alert through this fascinating scientific history.’ -- Publishers Weekly, starred review ‘An interesting examination of an issue that affects us all. Miller shows us how a good night’s sleep came to be recognized as critical for health and development.’ -- Kirkus

Author Information

Kenneth Miller is a contributing editor for Discover, and his work has appeared in Time, Life, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Mother Jones, Salon, Elle, Los Angeles Times Magazine, and many more. He has appeared on The Today Show, Late Night With Larry King, CNN Newsroom, and other TV and radio programs. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids.

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