What are the odds that an ordinary billionaire like Bruce Wayne could acquire the physique and hand-to-hand fighting skills to defeat supervillains? Zehr, a Canadian neuroscientist and martial arts black belt, looks at the science of the body's "capability to respond and adapt to... extremes." The author draws on Batman comics and movies to glean clues on how Wayne chiseled his body into a fighting machine. As a study of human physiology, this detailed and accessible discussion could appeal to Batman fans and those interested in intensive physical training who are prepared for serious science rather than fantasy. But Batman is only the scaffolding on which Zehr hangs his detailed look at the role of genetic makeup, diet, strength training and development of motor skills in attaining the "outer limits" of physical performance. Surprisingly, the discussion barely mentions the training of real-life people who need many of the same skills as Batman: special ops forces. Despite the book's strengths, readers may get the impression from the many exclamatory asides of an author still running around the house with a bedspread trailing behind him. 55 b&w illus. (Nov.)
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Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero
Narrated by Rudy Sanda
E. Paul ZehrUnabridged — 9 hours, 40 minutes
Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero
Narrated by Rudy Sanda
E. Paul ZehrUnabridged — 9 hours, 40 minutes
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Overview
Zehr discusses the physical training necessary to maintain bad-guy-fighting readiness while relating the science underlying this process, from strength conditioning to the cognitive changes a person would endure in undertaking such a regimen. In probing what a real-life Batman could achieve, Zehr considers the level of punishment a consummately fit and trained person could handle, how hard and fast such a person could punch and kick, and the number of adversaries that individual could dispatch. He also tells us what it would be like to fight while wearing a batsuit and the amount of food we'd need to consume each day to maintain vigilance as Gotham City's guardian.
A fun foray of escapism grounded in sound science, Becoming Batman provides the background for attaining the realizable-though extreme-level of human performance that would allow you to be a superhero.
Editorial Reviews
As a kid, I wanted to be Batman but always ended up more like the Joker. I only wish I could have read Dr. Zehr's fascinating book then, so that I would have known exactly what it takes to become a real superhero.—Bradford W. Wright, author of Comic Book Nation, www.denofgeek.
Zehr applies his specialised knowledge to quantify how an ordinary person could turn themselves into Batman.—Flipside
As a study of human physiology, this detailed and accessible discussion could appeal to Batman fans and those interested in intensive physical training who are prepared for serious science rather than fantasy. But Batman is only the scaffolding on which Zehr hands his detailed look at the role of genetic makeup, diet, strength training and development of motor skills in attaining the 'outer limits' of physical performance.—Publishers Weekly
Zehr is a scientist, martial arts expert and comic book fan, so he's ideally qualified to write this book . . . Becoming Batman is an interesting discussion on the science of superheroes.—Dr JV Chamary, BBC Focus Magazine
Charming book . . . There is really nothing more awesome than reading a book that cites obscure neuroscience journals in the same sentence with citations to obscure Batman comics.—Annalee Newitz, io9.com
Zehr evaluates what it would take—physically, psychologically, and scientifically—to replicate Batman's actions and become a self-made superhero. His conclusions are sometimes surprising, and often fascinating.—John Lewis, Baltimore Magazine
A wonderful book that looks at what it would really take to become Batman in today's world.—The Surfman, thesurfman.blogspot.com
This is a thoughtfully imagined work that uses escapism to make solid scientific points that can benefit almost anyone. And for those who aspire to don a cape and cowl, it's essential reading.—Richard Sherbaniuk, Edmonton Journal
Two black-gloved thumbs way up!—whatistechnoagain.wordpress.com
The author maintains a humorous and enjoyable tone throughout this book while providing general audiences with proven scientific methods and useful facts about the resilience and limitations of the human body.—Book News
A highly researched, very fairly reasoned and considerably factually-supported tome that not only discusses the potential for the most human of super heroes, also educates us in quite some depth about the limit of human existence and physical and mental prowess. That Dr. Zehr manages to add any style to his efforts (and let's be fair, scientists aren't known for their 'suave'), is a credit to the man and a credit to his obvious enthusiasm for his work and interests.—Kevin Pocock, www.denofgeek.com
Terrifying mastery of the entire Batman mythohistoriography.—Steven Poole, Guardian
Becoming Batman is your next step to supercool.—Rosemary Counter, Toronto Globe and Mail
The author knows whereof he writes . . . written in an accessible and appealing manner.—Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, Centre Daily Times
Not only is it enjoyable as a popular science book for those with even the smallest Batman obsession, it could be an entertaining way to introduce human movement science to potential students.—M. T. G. Pain, Journal of Sports Sciences
Becoming Batman takes the escapism of the Caped Crusader and puts it in real-world, grounded, scientific terms that is extremely entertaining and interesting. If you’re not careful, you might learn something.—Louis Fowler, www.bookgasm.com
witty and informative, striking an appropriate balance between a pure scientific discourse and ample explanations to keep lesser trained readers intrigued.—biblebodynbrains.blogspot.com
If there's one thing that has influenced the new stuff, the 'Batman, Inc.' stuff, it's a book called Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero, which is written by E. Paul Zehr. It's a guy who is a doctor, and looking into the actual possibility of Batman and what it would take to be that person in real life: What it would do to your muscles and what it would do to your head, and how long it would take to learn the martial arts. And it's really quite fascinating, this idea of the real facts behind it.—Grant Morrison, Batman writer, comicsalliance.com
Terrifying mastery of the entire Batman mythohistoriography.
Zehr applies his specialised knowledge to quantify how an ordinary person could turn themselves into Batman.
A highly researched, very fairly reasoned and considerably factually-supported tome that not only discusses the potential for the most human of super heroes, also educates us in quite some depth about the limit of human existence and physical and mental prowess. That Dr. Zehr manages to add any style to his efforts (and let's be fair, scientists aren't known for their 'suave'), is a credit to the man and a credit to his obvious enthusiasm for his work and interests.
A wonderful book that looks at what it would really take to become Batman in today's world.
Zehr is a scientist, martial arts expert and comic book fan, so he's ideally qualified to write this book . . . Becoming Batman is an interesting discussion on the science of superheroes.
This is a thoughtfully imagined work that uses escapism to make solid scientific points that can benefit almost anyone. And for those who aspire to don a cape and cowl, it's essential reading.
As a kid, I wanted to be Batman but always ended up more like the Joker. I only wish I could have read Dr. Zehr's fascinating book then, so that I would have known exactly what it takes to become a real superhero.
The author maintains a humorous and enjoyable tone throughout this book while providing general audiences with proven scientific methods and useful facts about the resilience and limitations of the human body.
If there's one thing that has influenced the new stuff, the 'Batman, Inc.' stuff, it's a book called Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero, which is written by E. Paul Zehr. It's a guy who is a doctor, and looking into the actual possibility of Batman and what it would take to be that person in real life: What it would do to your muscles and what it would do to your head, and how long it would take to learn the martial arts. And it's really quite fascinating, this idea of the real facts behind it.
Charming book . . . There is really nothing more awesome than reading a book that cites obscure neuroscience journals in the same sentence with citations to obscure Batman comics.
witty and informative, striking an appropriate balance between a pure scientific discourse and ample explanations to keep lesser trained readers intrigued.
Two black-gloved thumbs way up!
The author knows whereof he writes . . . written in an accessible and appealing manner.
Not only is it enjoyable as a popular science book for those with even the smallest Batman obsession, it could be an entertaining way to introduce human movement science to potential students.
Becoming Batman takes the escapism of the Caped Crusader and puts it in real-world, grounded, scientific terms that is extremely entertaining and interesting. If you’re not careful, you might learn something.
Zehr evaluates what it would take—physically, psychologically, and scientifically—to replicate Batman's actions and become a self-made superhero. His conclusions are sometimes surprising, and often fascinating.
Becoming Batman is your next step to supercool.
If there's one thing that has influenced the new stuff, the 'Batman, Inc.' stuff, it's a book called Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero, which is written by E. Paul Zehr. It's a guy who is a doctor, and looking into the actual possibility of Batman and what it would take to be that person in real life: What it would do to your muscles and what it would do to your head, and how long it would take to learn the martial arts. And it's really quite fascinating, this idea of the real facts behind it.
— Grant Morrison
As a kid, I wanted to be Batman but always ended up more like the Joker. I only wish I could have read Dr. Zehr's fascinating book then, so that I would have known exactly what it takes to become a real superhero.
— Bradford W. Wright, author of Comic Book Nation
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940160666037 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tantor Audio |
| Publication date: | 05/16/2023 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |