Most of us believe that we sleep in order to rest our tired bodies and minds. Originally published in 1977, this centuries-old common-sense view is challenged by Ray Meddis, who describes and argues for a controversial new theory of the nature and function of sleep.

Preface. 1. The Joy of Sleep 2. The Origins of Sleep 3. Very Short Sleeps 4. Sleep Deprivation 5. Dreaming Sleep 6. The Origin of Dreaming Sleep 7. Insomnia 8. Review. Notes and References. Index.