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Breath Taking: The Power, Fragility, and Future of Our Extraordinary Lungs
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About Breath Taking: The Power, Fragility, And Future Of
Product Description From an expert in pulmonary medicine, the story of our extraordinary lungs, the organ that both explains our origins and holds the keys to our future as a species We take an average of 7.5 million breaths a year and some 600 million in our lifetime, and what goes on in our body each time oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide expelled is nothing short of miraculous. “Our lungs are the lynchpin between our bodies and the outside world,” writes Dr. Michael Stephen. And yet, we take our lungs for granted until we’re incapacitated and suddenly confronted with their vital importance. In Breath Taking, pulmonologist Michael Stephen takes us on a journey to shed original and much-needed light on our neglected and extraordinary lungs, at a most critical societal moment. He relates the history of oxygen on Earth and the evolutionary origins of breathing, and explores the healing power of breath and its spiritual potential. He explains in lay terms the links our lungs have with our immune system and with society at large. And he offers illuminating chronicles of pulmonary research and discovery―from Galen in the ancient world to pioneers of lung transplant―and poignant human stories of resilience and recovery―from the frantic attempts to engage his own son’s lungs at birth to patients he treats for cystic fibrosis today. Despite great advances in science, our lungs are ever more threatened. Asthma is more prevalent than ever; rising stress levels make our lungs vulnerable to disease; and COVID-19 has revealed that vulnerability in historic ways. In this time, Breath Taking offers inspiration and hope to millions whose lungs are affected and vital perspective to us all. Review Praise for Breath Taking “[W]ide-ranging . . . Our very breath ties us to one another and to the world around us . . . And yet, Stephen argues, we have consistently overlooked the importance of our lungs . . . Our lungs are both protection and portal, the nexus of our relationship with an environment that can heal us as well as harm us . . . There is no escaping the air that we share.” —Brooke Jarvis, New Yorker “Arriving at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic’s winter wave, pulmonologist Michael J. Stephen’s first book, Breath Taking, could not come at a better time. It is a clearly written look at everything related to respiration, from the history of pulmonary medicine to the importance of environmental health . . . After reading this book, and, of course, living through the historically significant year in which it happened to appear, few people are likely to take their precious breaths for granted again.” —Undark Magazine “Brains and hearts preoccupy science writers, so this rare exploration of lungs fills a need. Pulmonologist Stephen cannot conceal his enthusiasm for his favorite organ as he mixes evolution, medical history, autobiography, and vivid stories of patients with a skillful account of how lungs operate and how we might take better care of them . . . Valuable popular science.” —Kirkus Reviews “[Stephen’s] educational and passionate book successfully unites the true importance of our lungs and advances in medical science . . . Best of all are Stephen’s stories of courageous patients, including a girl with cystic fibrosis who receives a successful lung transplant, which just might take your breath away.” —Booklist “At a crucial time—not just because of COVID-19 but as lung disease rises generally—pulmonologist Stephen’s Breath Taking explains the evolutionary beginnings of breathing, the connection between the lungs and the immune system, and new research and treatment of pulmonary disease.” —Library Journal “This richly detailed, engrossing work will have you appreciating the majesty of one of our most vital organs. COVID-19 has taught us all how vulnerable our lungs are and the more we know about them the better we can protect them. Intimately written with the authority of a pulmonologist but the lyricism of a captivating nar
