This book provides a complete introduction to the neuroscience of sleep and dreams in plain language. In it, Patrick McNamara outlines new discoveries in the science of sleep and dreams, places them within an evolutionary context, and brings them together with existing scientific findings and implications for sleep medicine. Unlike other introductory texts, the important evolutionary background and social nature of sleep and dreams is emphasized. Major advances in sleep medicine, sleep and memory, dream content analyzes, brain correlates of sleep stages and lifespan development of sleep are covered in depth. While the text is geared towards students, the general reader and scientists studying other disciplines will find it accessible and informative.

'This is an accessible and much-needed resource for students, teachers, and the general public. Sleep and dream sciences are rapidly expanding, but are underrepresented in psychology and neuroscience textbooks. This book fills the gap perfectly! Patrick McNamara’s fascinating incorporation of social and evolutionary neuroscience is certain to engage readers from many backgrounds.'

Edward F. Pace-Schott - Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts

'Patrick McNamara gives all the answers that science has found so far; covering the psychology, neuroscience, evolution, and social aspects of sleep and dreams in a balanced and integrated manner that is a joy to read. Anyone who wants to know what science really knows about sleep and dreams should read this book.'

Antti Revonsuo - University of Skövde, Sweden, and University of Turku, Finland

'The text is an introduction, as indicated by the title, but it could serve easily as a university textbook, containing clear learning objectives, review questions, and further reading sections. It is an absorbing read, an informative reference, and will appeal to students and researchers at every level of training.'

Tore Nielsen - Director, Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Université de Montréal

'This book offers an authoritative and clearly written overview of neuroscience's answers to questions about sleep and dreams. Patrick McNamara explains research findings suitable for the beginner, but also with enough depth for the experienced. I recommend it enthusiastically to all who want a solid scientific perspective on sleep and dreams.'

Deirdre Barrett - author of The Committee of Sleep

'I found the chapter on dream varieties the most interesting, it is the longest chapter too and includes the characteristics of the wide variety of dream types reported by people.'

Carol Singleton Source: Nursing Times

‘The well-organized format of the chapters includes learning objectives at the beginning, as well as review questions and further reading at the end, making the text suitable for classroom use. Highly recommended for collections in sleep, dream, and consciousness studies.’

J. Bailey Source: Choice

'The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams does a great job of summarizing contemporary research and theories in a fashion that facilities accessibility for readers, and should be of great interest to anyone seeking a general state-of-the-art of sleep and dream research.'

Jean-Baptiste Eichenlaub Source: International Journal of Dream Research