Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
Best-known introduction to Nestor's work and his investigation of breathing, physiology, and health.
Author guide
James Nestor Books in Order
James Nestor is an American science journalist and nonfiction author. His work has appeared in publications including Outside, Scientific American, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Dwell, Men's Journal, and National Public Radio. His books combine narrative reporting, science, adventure, and investigations into human physiology and perception. He is the author of Get High Now (Without Drugs), Half-Safe, The Role of Fiction, Deep, and Breath.
science nonfictionpopular scienceadventure nonfictiontravel writinghealth nonfictionmemoirliterary nonfiction
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves
Strong starting point for his narrative science and adventure writing.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (5)
- Get High Now (Without Drugs)
nonfiction · 2009
- The Role of Fiction: How Our Own Imaginations Enrich Our Lives
nonfiction · 2015
How our own imaginations enrich our lives is a book that brings to light the incredible role that fiction plays in our lives and also the great role that we play in the writing and creating of fiction. From the moment we enter this world,…
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
nonfiction · 2020
There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.…
Frequently asked questions about James Nestor
Who is James Nestor?
James Nestor is a science journalist and nonfiction author whose reporting has appeared in Scientific American, Outside, The New York Times, and other outlets.
What led James Nestor to investigate breathing?
Recurring bronchitis, wheezing, and mild pneumonia led him to try a breathing class; meeting freedivers later showed him how breathing could be explored through physiology and extreme performance.
Sources: kcrw.com (opens in a new tab)leadersmag.com (opens in a new tab)
What influences James Nestor’s work on breathing?
His reporting combines ancient practices such as Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo with modern research in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology.
What awards has James Nestor received?
Breath won the American Society of Journalists and Authors’ Best General Nonfiction award and was shortlisted for the 2021 Royal Society Science Book Prize.
Sources: asja.org (opens in a new tab)royalsociety.org (opens in a new tab)
What is James Nestor’s legacy as a science writer?
His best-known contribution is bringing breathing research to a broad public audience through accessible narrative journalism. His official site reports that Breath has sold three million copies and been translated into 44 languages.
Sources: mrjamesnestor.com (opens in a new tab)penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)