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Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.7 out of 5 stars 30,179 ratings

A New York Times Best Seller

A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2020

Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR

“A fascinating scientific, cultural, spiritual and evolutionary history of the way humans breathe - and how we’ve all been doing it wrong for a long, long time.” (Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love)

No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you’re not breathing properly.

There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: Take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo. Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.

Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance; rejuvenate internal organs; halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease; and even straighten scoliotic spines. None of this should be possible, and yet it is. Drawing on thousands of years of medical texts and recent cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head. You will never breathe the same again.

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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 18 minutes
Author James Nestor
Narrator James Nestor
Audible.com Release Date May 26, 2020
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B082FPZC4H
Best Sellers Rank

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
30,179 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book life-changing, well-researched with helpful scientific information, and easy to read and understand. They appreciate the detailed breathing techniques and fascinating storytelling, with one review noting how it takes readers on a journey through history. Customers report positive effects on health and mental well-being, improved fitness, and better sleep, with some mentioning they no longer snore or have interrupted sleep.

737 customers mention "Readability"737 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as a life-changing read with exciting scientific studies and lots to learn.

"...James Nestor's great book will help move this change forward, to the benefit of everyone. He obviously didn't do all this work for the money...." Read more

"...This is a fascinating book with lots of tips about self-improvement. One surprise is that sometimes it is good to hold your breath. -30-" Read more

"...I think I get it” but boy was I wrong! There was so much fascinating, and importantly, actionable information here that truly changed my life...." Read more

"...humor James uses throughout brings a much needed levity to a very serious subject that has life or death consequences and massive implications for..." Read more

582 customers mention "Information quality"530 positive52 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, providing helpful information backed by science. One customer notes that the scientific content is presented in a way that laypeople can easily understand.

"...'s book and applies them daily with positive measurable and documentable improvement and elimination of as many as 20 symptoms of chronic..." Read more

"...This is a fascinating book with lots of tips about self-improvement. One surprise is that sometimes it is good to hold your breath. -30-" Read more

"...subject that has life or death consequences and massive implications for health and quality of life...." Read more

"Very informative and helpful can make you healthier if you practice what it teaches." Read more

419 customers mention "Breathing techniques"404 positive15 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of breathing techniques and its exploration of the topic's history, with one customer noting how it helped their husband with sleep apnea.

"...He now breathes better, has more endurance, feels better, and has a more symmetrical face as shown in CT scans made before and after his self-..." Read more

"...Slower breathing also lowers blood pressure and heartrate. The most efficient breathing, according to research, is 5.5 second inhales followed by 5.5..." Read more

"...I am now a better breather and healthier for reading this book!..." Read more

"...so far and was gripped by this book immediately and fascinated by the lost art of breathing as I felt my health declining further in my middle age...." Read more

295 customers mention "Writing style"264 positive31 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and understand, with one customer noting it's written without ego.

"...James has a great writing style too, this never becomes overly dry or academic as it so easily could given the subject matter." Read more

"...The information is historically correct and well; amazing. The concepts are simple and do-able for everyone; and I believe will benefit you...." Read more

"...The book contains step by step instructions on exercises to improve breathing, lung capacity and overall health...." Read more

"...Easy to read and great insight...." Read more

128 customers mention "Storytelling"115 positive13 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, with one review noting how it takes readers on a journey through history, while others highlight its excellent coverage of various subjects.

"...To help me with stress; blood pressure. And I must say the text content is so interesting; the writer sets the story well - and you can't help but..." Read more

"...Albert Einstein College of Medicine: “An eye opening, epic journey of human devolution that explains why so many of us are sick and tired...." Read more

"...That is very much appreciated. I like the reporting style much less which tries to take the reader along the odyssey the author went through with..." Read more

"...It is written so beautifully. James Nestor takes you back in time and to the present moment throughout the book so gracefully and basis his findings..." Read more

74 customers mention "Healing ability"74 positive0 negative

Customers report positive effects on health and mental well-being from practicing breathing techniques, noting improvements in chronic diseases, exercise routines, and energy levels after work.

"...No Chron's symptoms anymore. All my skin lesions have completely healed. Better attitude and energy...." Read more

"...even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance, rejuvenate, internal organs, halt snoring, asthma, and..." Read more

"...Breathing that deep and into my back also helps my back, core muscles and posture...." Read more

"Amazing read! Invigorating. Uplifting. Breathing. Meditation. Good quality." Read more

45 customers mention "Sleep quality"45 positive0 negative

Customers report improved sleep quality after using the book's techniques, noting they no longer snore or experience interrupted sleep, with one customer mentioning their loved one's sleep apnea was cured.

"...can jump-start athletic performance, rejuvenate, internal organs, halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease and even straighten scoliotic spines...." Read more

"...What I notice is that I sleep deeper. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night to drink water...." Read more

"...Breathing regulates stress, digestion, and sleep, to name a few...." Read more

"...I sleep with mouth tape now and need noticeably less sleep than before! I’m calmer throughout the day, too." Read more

15 customers mention "Pace"12 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pace, finding it reasonably quick and timely, with one customer finishing it in just two days.

"...I guarantee you'll enjoy it and by the time you finish, find the fastest, simplest, most efficient way to feel and be healthier...." Read more

"This book is a reasonably quick and rewarding read. I found the author’s tone and anecdotes engaging, insightful, curiosity provoking, and smart...." Read more

"This books has a wealth of information in it. It moves along at a fast pace without a lot of filler...." Read more

"...It's a quick yet worthy read." Read more

Breath Book
5 out of 5 stars
Breath Book
Amazing read! Invigorating. Uplifting. Breathing. Meditation. Good quality.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I am a 75 year old dentist, in practice for 50 years, the last 20 of which have been devoted to improving our patients' oral health and total bodily health by addressing their structural, functional and behavioral problems caused by impaired growth and development of their jaws , faces, and airways, resulting in dysfunctional breathing, chewing, and swallowing..... and a myriad of health problems that are mostly managed by medications from their physicians rather than addressing and correcting the cause. The lines between dentistry and medicine are getting blurrier every day now. James Nestor's great book will help move this change forward, to the benefit of everyone. He obviously didn't do all this work for the money. He was on a quest and is now sharing what he learned and how it helped him personally with everyone who will read this book.

    Our interdisciplinary team is part of a growing movement in our profession which embraces the principles in James Nestor's book and applies them daily with positive measurable and documentable improvement and elimination of as many as 20 symptoms of chronic inflammatory disease processes including hypertension, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, upper airway resistance/snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, atopic dermatitis, tmj pain, neck pain, poor posture and, yes, ADHD, which is almost always related to mouth breathing and poor quantity and quality of sleep.

    Oddly, this movement is not being led by physicians but by a growing group of enlightened dentists who, once they've seen the truth, can no longer ignore what's been right there before our noses for so long, used to be part of dental and medical treatment, somehow faded after WWII, and finally is back in full flower, with science to support what's wrong and how to fix it.

    Thanks to our movement, The American Dental Association has now mandated that every dentist should screen every new patient of any age, especially young children, for disordered breathing. This is the future of Health Care, and the future is now..

    For the first time in our history, a child born today will not live as long as its parents. We are breeding ourselves to extinction due to the post-industrial cultural changes beginning about 500 years ago with regards to proper diet, starting with lack of breast feeding. These changes, due to Epigenetic alteration of the expression of DNA, have now, as Nestor accurately states, have now become inheritable traits. All based on science.

    The flattening of our faces with incompetent jaws and airways, is the most rapid change in the evolutionary history of Homo Sapiens.
    The book and his website contain 500 references to science supporting what he says and what we're now doing on a daily basis to improve the health and quality of life of ourselves, our families, our friends, and our patients.
    His book is a great public service in spreading awareness of the TRUTH.

    We've been hoping for years that someone exactly like James Nestor would come along without a conflict of interest and with the speaking and writing skills and the knowledge and charisma to take this message virally to the public, which will in turn demand that their health care providers forget their education and open their minds to this truth. Every dentist and physician should read this book. Anyone who snores or has a child or spouse who snores should read this book. Mothers, grandmothers, and wives should read this book as they are the Noticers and Motivators for family members who need help and don't know where to get it.

    Nestor asked basic questions to try to understand and correct his own breathing problems and went on a search for the answers, following the exact trail (and more) of evidence and anthropology and knowledge that has brought our movement to where we are today. He ended up in the office of Dr. Ted Belfor, who provided him with a Homeoblock appliance which he wore nightly with his mouth taped for a year while working on naso-diaphragmatic breathing. He now breathes better, has more endurance, feels better, and has a more symmetrical face as shown in CT scans made before and after his self-treatment.

    I know exactly how this helped him, because I treated myself at age 68 with the same regime with Homeoblocks designed for me by Dr. Belfor. Our education taught us that growing bone in the human face was impossible after age 30. Colleagues told me I was just wasting my time. This is the same contempt before investigation seen in some of the negative reviews of his book on Amazon. This happens with all revolutionary ideas... First rejected, then violently opposed, then finally accepted as the truth after years, according to Schopenhauer and Jules Verne, the futurist of his generation.

    We made CT scans and facial photographs and casts of my teeth and jaws and sleep breathing recordings before and after my 18 month self-treatment, so that any positive changes could be measured and documented. I was a typical chronic mouth breather with poor head and shoulder posture. I had Central Sleep Apnea, caused by over-exhalation of CO2, as he discusses. I would just quit breathing during sleep until my CO2 levels got high enough to enable proper Oxygen transport to my body and brain.

    I had chronic respiratory illness and exzema as a child and was obese, topping out at 290 pounds at age 18. 5 hospitalizations and 3 surgeries for Crohn's Disease. Stroke in my 40s .Advanced heart failure with permanent atrial fibrillation despite implanted pacemaker-defibrillator. Chronic Atopic Dermatitis with some lesions on my ankles for more than 30 years. Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue. What did I have to lose by trying this unusual approach?
    After 18 months with Homeoblocks, saline nasal spray before bed, mouth taped during sleep, and consciously working on posture, chewing, swallowing, and breathing through my nose with my mouth closed and my tongue in the roof of my mouth...

    I went from 245 pounds to 198 pounds without dieting. Still there after 6 years. Blood pressure normalized. No Chron's symptoms anymore. All my skin lesions have completely healed. Better attitude and energy. More symmetrical face with measurable growth in all three dimensions in my airway and face. I'd call this something of miracle, and having lived it, we now use these same principles every day and have scores of documented case studies that show how successful it can be to help folks learn to breathe 24/7/365 from their noses and diaphragms while also improving their chewing and swallowing functions and behaviors.

    Nestor is a gift to us. This book and his appearances are the key to spreading the truth nationally and internationally so that the public can grasp this information and lead to a tidal wave of sea change in
    our current broken system of "sick care" as it becomes true Health Care by focusing on the importance of nasal breathing from the cradle to the grave. Six Stars!
    1,556 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Most people deal with breathing problems sometime in life. This includes mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, etc. Consequently, it’s useful to read a book addressing into the topic.

    James Nestor has traveled around the world to learn current and ancient wisdom about breath. He has interviewed dozens of “pulmanauts” as he calls breathing experts. His book contains what he has learned. A few of his eye-popping assertions:
    • “Nine out of ten people breathe incorrectly.“
    • “Forty percent of today’s population suffers from chronic nasal obstruction, and around half of us are habitual mouth-breathers.”
    • Most modern humans have a deviated septum, and half have chronically inflamed turbinate, the erectile tissue lining our sinuses. This combination often leads to chronic breathing difficulties.

    There’s a reason that humans are the worst breathers in the animal kingdom. It’s because human faces are smaller today than our ancient ancestors. They had forward-facing jaws and wide mouths, which created wider airways. They needed strong jaws to eat a raw diet of fibrous fruits and vegetables, which took a lot of time and effort. We don’t have the same need to chew.

    Highly refined and processed foods require much less chewing than raw foods. It is well documented that cultures where traditional diets were replaced by modern, softer, processed foods saw more cavities and crooked teeth and more obstructed airways. In short, the industrialization of farmed foods is responsible for the physical changes.

    Compared to our distant ancestors, modern homo sapiens have larger brains, narrower and longer noses, and less prominent jaws, crooked teeth and shrunken sinuses. Chewing hard gum is a way to strengthen the jaw line and expand the palate.
    .
    Mouthbreathing is a problem. That’s because the lungs extract less oxygen from air sucked in through the mouth, compared to air that is heated, slowed and pressurized coming via the nose. So nose breathing is more efficient.

    In addition, inhaling from the nose forces air against the flabby tissues at the back of the throat and widens the airways. Breathing through the mouth, however, allows the soft tissues to become loose and to flex inward, leaving less space for breathing.

    Mouthbreathing leads to snoring and sometimes to sleep apnea or to insomnia. One technique to reduce mouthbreathing at night is to put one small piece of tape vertically across part of the mouth.

    The average American takes about 18 breaths a minute. At that rate, most oxygen is exhaled back out. Heavy breathing causes too much loss of carbon dioxide, which narrows blood vessels and decreases circulation, particularly to the brain.

    At a slower breathing rate, by concentrating on longer exhales, our lungs soak up more oxygen in fewer breaths. Slower breathing also lowers blood pressure and heartrate. The most efficient breathing, according to research, is 5.5 second inhales followed by 5.5-second exhales, which totals 5.5 breaths per minute. Some asthmatics improve after they learn to breathe less.

    This is a fascinating book with lots of tips about self-improvement. One surprise is that sometimes it is good to hold your breath. -30-
    23 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I felt similarly about this book to how I felt before and after reading Atomic Habits- “yeah, okay, breathing, pretty simple. I think I get it” but boy was I wrong! There was so much fascinating, and importantly, actionable information here that truly changed my life. I am now a better breather and healthier for reading this book! James has a great writing style too, this never becomes overly dry or academic as it so easily could given the subject matter.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon カスタマー
    5.0 out of 5 stars 読むべきかも
    Reviewed in Japan on December 10, 2024
    一回でも読んだ方が良い本です
    Report
  • Indira
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great one
    Reviewed in Germany on May 26, 2025
    This book has to be read by everyone
  • Anne Schmidt
    5.0 out of 5 stars As expected- all went well
    Reviewed in Italy on March 6, 2025
    Everything perfect
  • Trevor Baret BDS, PGDipClinOrth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, Informative read
    Reviewed in Australia on October 28, 2020
    So you think you can breathe - just because you have been doing it all your life... The fact is that most of us simply don't know how to breathe properly, and their health suffers as a result.

    This well researched and entertainingly written book discusses different types of breathing exercises, as well as describing the healthiest way to breathe for life. And for nearly everyone, it is not what you are doing now. It is also not what most of you think it is...

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, after working in the area of sleep breathing disorders for over three decades. My copy is full of bookmarks showing sections I want to return to and refer to. Despite my long experience in the industry, I am still learning, and that learning becomes much more enjoyable what provided in such a well written and entertaining book.
  • Danielle Morais
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente leitura.
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 24, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Um dos livros mais incríveis que li em 2020.