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Title: Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, Third Edition
ISBN: 0805073698
Author:
Robert M. Sapolsky
Publicate Date: 2004-09-15
Publish: 2004-09-15
List Price: $18.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $7.99
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $7.98
Amazon Merchant Price: $12.24
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Amusing and informative
I'm enjoying this book. It is informative and fun and kept my interest even when the alternative leisurely pursuit was people watching on a Caribbean beach - so that can't be bad. The point the author wishes to make is zebras don't get ulcers because their stress comes from occasional short-lived encounters with lions. On the contrary our stresses are constantly trickling if not constantly full-on. This eventually throws our whole body into disarray. I am studying a nutrition course and the book was recommended as part of this (it doesn't have much to do with nutrition however) but it would be perfectly readable for those with little biological technical knowledge. I am also tempted to read others by the author as I'm impressed by the writing style. Just an FYI: I'm from the UK and had to buy this book from Amazon US because it was (currently) difficult to obtain over here.
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2: readable neuroscience
readable neuroscience, with a sense of humor! Thorough overview of neuroscience and the newest understanding of the human brain.
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3: Excellent, well written book
I will admit that it can be a bit technical for a few folks. His book makes you feel that he is teaching you in a classroom. The citations and references are informative.
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4: A lively scientific report on stress
Your body is a sophisticated machine. If it were an automobile, it would be a top-of-the-line, luxury-class vehicle with all of the latest options. There's just one problem: Your body was designed for the savannas of Africa, not the streets and sidewalks of some urban metropolis. This is a major issue due to one of your body's great fail-safe systems: the stress-response mechanism, also called the "fight-or-flight syndrome." This mechanism provides your body with its best chance to get away safely from sudden peril, such as when a lion attacks you. It immediately floods your muscles with robust energy. Thus strengthened, you are far more able to evade the hungry predator. Unfortunately, this same stress-response also kicks in during psychological stress. In much of modern city life (even without stalking lions), such stress is often chronic, making your stress-response mechanism work dangerously overtime, and putting your body at risk of numerous stress-related disorders and diseases. Robert M. Sapolsky, a leading neuroendocrinologist, explains it all in this lively and entertaining, yet highly informative book. He writes with delightful, ironic verve and dry, irrepressible wit. He details how chronic stress can undermine your health, and explains what you can do about it, even in the urban jungle. getAbstract feels calmer just suggesting that anyone experiencing stress could benefit from reading this book.
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5: Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers saved my life
It didn't save my life but I got your attention.
Sapolsky's book is an absolute hoot. He is clever, entertaining, and passionate in his work. More than that he is humorous. Even more than that he is a literary genius. I have never enjoyed endocrinology and the physiological response to stress so much. I now understand what glucocorticords are without referencing my "Dorlands Medical Dictionary". The book is informative and written clearly enough for me to use it as a reference in my course "Stress Management" an undergraduate course in psychology. I'm eagerly anticipating the release of "ZEBRAS II, the sequel". Buy it, you'll like it.
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