Internal Time: Chronotypes, Social Jet Lag, and Why You're So Tired [German] [Hardcover]

First off, I am not a subject matter expert in the realm of "chronobiology". But what Ronneberg describes in this short and very readable introduction to our internal body clocks was my life for the last third of my 30-year military career. As a result, while I can't recommend the book from the researcher angle, I can highly recommend the book from the subject angle. In short, I'm a fan and HIGHLY recommend this book.

Bottom line, Ronneberg's thesis is this: our body clock(s) is(are) real, performs(perform) very important calibrating functions and messing with it(them) has very serious consequences. And from personal experience, I would have to agree. I violated pretty much every "rule" in his book and I wound up paying a very heavy price. Fortunately (though it didn't seem so at the time), mandatory retirement arrived and an inability to go back to work in a second career provided an opportunity to get my clock(s) resynchronized (though not having yet read the book, I had no idea what I was doing other than following what my body was telling me I needed to do).

So what did I do wrong? Well, my work generally entailed long hours in a windowless, fluorescent-lighted, office (no connection with the natural light/dark cycle); too-often, middle-of-the-night phone calls (interrupted sleep cycles); frequent trips across up to 8-10 timezones where I was expected to be at work "bright & early" the day after travelling (unending two-way jet lag); and meetings/events at all hours of the day lasting anywhere from one hour to all day ("social jet lag"). I am (hopefully) coming out of a several-year severe, debilitating downturn where my lack of synchronized, restorative sleep was either the root cause of or a contributing factor to a health/fitness level that had me very close to a stroke (as well as manifested in a number of yet-to-be explained body- & system-wide ailments). So severe was the downturn that I was housebound for a very long time with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, inability to drive, inability to focus and frame thoughts for long stretches, an inability to sleep, and a feeling that if something didn't get better soon I was going to go mad.

I've already given away some of the topics covered and I'd rather not spoil any more of the read. Instead, let me make a short comment about the presentation and leave it there. Ronneberg opens each of the 20-odd chapters with a story served up to illustrate the theme of the chapter. Then he explains the story and introduces us to the theme and the science behind it. And he does so in a very readable style (kudos to either the translator and/or Ronneberg).

Absolutely fascinating stuff.

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P.S. With regard to Mr. Thomas and his 1-star review.... I'm sorry the book is not yet available on Kindle. But why are you punishing the author and his content here? This review forum should be about the book, not about your inability to get it in the format you desired. Do, please, punish the publisher, but there's no reason to punish the author here. I hope you clicked the link "I'd like to read this book on Kindle" and if you don't want to wait until it is or purchase the physical book to take along on your travels, get it from the library and read it in-between trips. I'm sure you'll see it is every bit the 5-star book I believe it to be.

I don't have a lot to add, except this has helped me understand some of why I have been at odds with sleeping norms my whole life & helped me not
feel guilty about being different from said norms. (especially saying "No I can't drive now, I'm too tired. . .")

Mostly I wanted to balance the 1 star review, especially since this book IS available on Kindle now.

Remarkable book. This author keeps me thinking and learning all the way through. Several in my family have enjoyed part of it as well. They are waiting for me to finish so they can have a turn. Compelling reading for sure.