This started out as a kind of Freakonomics ‘everything you thought about exercise is wrong’ type of book, then goes into a lot of backgound on the author’s specialty (paleoanthropology with an emphasis on human body development), and finishes the book with a, well, actually, exercise IS good for you. Honestly, this is one of those books where watching an available 10 min talk from the author on Youtube is just as informative as going through the whole book, and if one is interested in a certain type of exercise you’re better off reading a specific book on that topic. I thought that perhaps it would reveal better information on better work practices, but again it’s likely advisable to seek out a specific book on work ergonomics.

Strong argument let down a bit by being a overly long and repetitive. I listened to the audiobook while running, walking and rowing so it served as validation that what I was doing wasn't an insane waste of time :-)

This is by far the most comprehensive story about physical activity and its role in the human body. He spends the first portions of the book outlining what exercise is and training us to adopt an anthropological mindset (new to me) when we evaluate headlines and fads. Once there we get the full-fledged analysis of why exercise is so good and what’s been PROVEN to be the best for overall health and to prevent a lot of prevalent conditions.

If you are a regular exerciser, you may not glean too much new information for yourself but may get more backing when questioned about your sanity by NARPs. If you are a non-athletic regular person, you would benefit significantly from reading about why being a crazy exerciser may actually be worthwhile!

This is an excellent, well-researched book on the history of exercise and how it applies to our life today. Tracing the roots of exercise (actually movement) from earliest prehistoric times through the middle ages, to the industrial age and into current times. Mr. Lieberman's work is well researched with extensive endnotes. Written in an entertaining style, it is easy to read and absolutely enjoyable.

The author talks about all sorts of activity and inactivity from sitting, sleeping (very good idea), standing, walking, running, dancing, strength training and more. He also gives an overview of how exercise can help heal or, at least, minimize the effects of disease from hypertension, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's and, yes, COVID-19. I found as I read the book, I began incorporating more movement into my life without even thinking about it. The book obviously hit a nerve in the brain.

I highly recommend Mr. Lieberman's book for health and just as an informative and enjoyable read.