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|  | Author: John J. Ratey
Creator: Eric Hagerman
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $12.70
as of 11/23/2009 14:27 CST details
You Save: $12.29 (49%)
New (49) Used (21) from $12.65
Seller: a1books
Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 741
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.8 x 1.3
ISBN: 0316113506
Dewey Decimal Number: 612.76
EAN: 9780316113502
ASIN: 0316113506
Publication Date: January 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new item. Over 6 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: H20090805220934T
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 26-30 of 76
 Why putting you and your fitness first is good for everyone - family, job and friends December 20, 2008
Robert R. Rowntree (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an exceptional book on why exercise should be the cornerstone of your life.
The only problem is it may be a little "stiff" for the less scientifically inclined. I have a Masters degree in Engineering Physics and I had to step back in key paragraphs to re-read it. Got it, but it sometimes took patience. On the other hand, it also may be a testament to the depth of this book. It would have been nice if there could have been more tables, charts and figures to help examine the material. Instead of text only to describe biochemical mechanism within the body, there should be accompanying drawings. If there were, then it would have been a 5 out 5.
What's astounding about this book is that he gives the reader all the latest, myth busting research right up to the end of 2007. All his evidence will have you no longer saying to your kids "Did you finish your homework, then you can go out to play" but rather "Did you finish your playing outdoors, then you can do your homework". Suffice it to say we were never built to sit at a desk. We haven't changed much since the days of tracking down prey with combinations of walking, jogging and sprinting to make the kill. Yet, most people burn less than 50% of the calories that our ancestors did. This is compounded by our lack of focus on fitness coupled to a sedimentary work life. And I think that is the premise of the book and may be the root cause of all the afflictions he goes on to talk about: kid's poor scores in school, adult and child obesity, dementia, parkinson disease and depression to name a few. He also gives the latest research insights for fitness with number of days, hours and intensity levels that are best. Unfortuately, he doesn't go into details of the how to run, weightlift etc. That I think is for another book.
Exercise, the most important thing your life is missing December 4, 2008
Freeman (Ranger, Georgia, USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Spark explains the burgeoning research into how exercise is one of the key ingredients missing in the modern Western lifestyle. The author uses numerous anecdotal, statistical and research based examples to make a compelling case for improving quality of life during any phase by simply moving.
Depressed? Exercise! Injured? Exercise! Obese? Exercise.
Spark is an important book because the idea that you might just be able to replace your Lexapro prescription with an hour of Dance Dance Revolution per day is hugely important. The idea that your brain chemistry and your ability to feel good is largely based on how much you move is hugely important.
I happened to find Spark about a year into a rejuvenation of my own health through exercise so let me add my own anecdotal evidence - exercise can and did allow me to get through depression, panic attacks and has helped me with what is probably a mild case of ADD or ADHD - conditions I once scoffed at as made up.
Spark is a convincing tome. If it cannot get you to stop popping pills and start exercising ever day, nothing will. I did not give Spark five stars because some of the explanations of how brain chemistry works are a little complex for the general reading public.
 AAAAAA++++ December 3, 2008
M. Compton (Peachtree City, Georgia United States)
0 out of 12 found this review helpful
Outstanding service. Got the item I ordered in a short amount of time, and it is exactly as described. Thanks!!!
Excellent, motivating book... December 1, 2008
M. Negron (San Juan, PR USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Teaches you about brain chemistry and biology, and how it can be positively affected by exercise. You will never think of exercise as something to do merely for physical appearance or even physical health. It can help you focus, be more productive, and beat depression or depression-like symptoms. The author has the science to back up the claims and organizes the book in such a way that it is easy to follow and learn. I'm hoping that it will lead me -- as an intellectual person -- to exercise more upon an intellectual understanding as to the wide-range positive effects it has. I hope to be a poster child for it, and will let you know more about how it works, beyond the intellectual level...
Spark hits the mark! October 22, 2008
Nicole Crouse (Littleton, CO USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
SPARK is a must read book! Dr. Ratey does an amazing job of relating case study after case study in such an interesting and easy manner. This is so important for people of all ages to read to understand the implications exercise has on everything from ADHD to Alzheimer's Disease! As a personal trainer and advocate for movement in the classroom, I feel this book hits it right on the mark, without being pushy.
Showing reviews 26-30 of 76
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