In Praise of Walking, Shane OMara
In Praise of Walking, Shane OMara
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In Praise of Walking
A New Scientific Exploration

Author: Shane O'Mara

Narrator: Liam Gerrard

Unabridged: 5 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/12/2020


Synopsis

A hymn to walking, the mechanical magic at the core of our humanity.

In this captivating book, neuroscientist Shane O’Mara invites us to marvel at the benefits walking confers on our bodies and brains, and to appreciate the advantages of this uniquely human skill. From walking’s evolutionary origins, traced back millions of years to life forms on the ocean floor, to new findings from cutting-edge research, he reveals how the brain and nervous system give us the ability to balance, weave through a crowded city, and run our “inner GPS” system. Walking is good for our muscles and posture; it helps to protect and repair organs, and can slow or turn back the aging of our brains. With our minds in motion we think more creatively, our mood improves, and stress levels fall. Walking together to achieve a shared purpose is also a social glue that has contributed to our survival as a species.

As our lives become increasingly sedentary, O’Mara makes the case that we must start walking again—whether it’s up a mountain, down to the park, or simply to school and work. In Praise of Walking illuminates the joys, health benefits, and mechanics of walking, and reminds us to get out of our chairs and discover a happier, healthier, more creative self.

About Shane O'Mara

Shane O'Mara is professor of experimental brain research at Trinity College Dublin. He is also the author of Why Torture Doesn't Work and A Brain for Business-A Brain for Life. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Valeriu

Cînd am deschis cartea lui O'Mara, nu mai era nevoie să fiu convins că mersul pe jos este o binefacere. Și cine oare nu e convins de acest adevăr simplu? Chiar dacă nu se pricepeau la neurologie, înțelepții au aplicat din instinct principiile autorului. Socrate își căuta mușteriii printre trecători.......more

I listened to this audiobook while I was walking, maybe a little too proud of myself. Heading down the sidewalk I rolled a few pithy summaries around, but none really landed. "Walking good. Not walking, bad". I realized this book needs two summaries beyond my ability to pith: 1. Technical - Long sect......more

Goodreads review by Jenni

This was a tricky book to rate. Firstly, I wanted to note that I listened to the Audible version of this, so parts of my review will mention the narrator as well. I was quite looking forward to this book, having recently discovered the joys of going for long walks in order to try and improve my physi......more

Goodreads review by Olivia

Two stars for the sheer amount of research and information that went into this book. However, for a book labelled as popular science, it really is hard work. For readers with no background in science, I think this book may not be very accessible. This defeats the purpose of the popular science genre......more