Book : Becoming Batman The Possibility Of A Superhero - E...

-Titulo Original : Becoming Batman The Possibility Of A Superhero

-Fabricante :

Johns Hopkins University Press

-Descripcion Original:

From Publishers Weekly 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 bodys 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 books 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.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Battling bad guys. High-tech hideouts. The gratitude of the masses. Who at some point in their life hasnt dreamed of being a superhero? Impossible, right? Or is it?Possessing no supernatural powers, Batman is the most realistic of all the superheroes. His feats are achieved through rigorous training and mental discipline, and with the aid of fantastic gadgets. Drawing on his training as a neuroscientist, kinesiologist, and martial artist, E. Paul Zehr explores the question: Could a mortal ever become Batman? 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 wed need to consume each day to maintain vigilance as Gotham Citys 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. Review As a kid, I wanted to be Batman but always ended up more like the Joker. I only wish I could have read Dr. Zehrs 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 denofgeek.Zehr applies his specialised knowledge to quantify how an ordinary person could turn themselves into Batman. FlipsideAs 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 WeeklyZehr is a scientist, martial arts expert and comic book fan, so hes ideally qualified to write this book . . . Becoming Batman is an interesting discussion on the science of superheroes. -- Dr JV Chamary BBC Focus MagazineCharming 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