Exhaustion
A History
Anna Katharina Schaffner author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Columbia University Press
Published:15th Jul '16
Should be back in stock very soon

This insightful exploration of fatigue examines its historical context and societal implications, urging readers to reconsider their perceptions of exhaustion. Exhaustion offers a fresh perspective.
In Exhaustion, the author delves into the intricate narratives surrounding our experiences of fatigue and weariness. By examining the interplay between the mind, body, and societal influences, the book invites readers to reflect on broader themes of agency, willpower, and well-being. The exploration of exhaustion is not merely a contemporary issue; it has roots that trace back to classical antiquity, revealing that our struggles with fatigue are far from new. Through this lens, the book encourages a critical evaluation of the stories we tell ourselves about exhaustion and its implications on our lives.
The narrative highlights how modern life, with its relentless pace and technological demands, has amplified feelings of chronic fatigue and anxiety. Many individuals today report experiencing burnout, exacerbated by economic instability and environmental concerns. Yet, as Exhaustion illustrates, the phenomenon of feeling overwhelmed has been a persistent part of the human experience, often pathologized or misinterpreted through various cultural and medical lenses. By integrating insights from historical, literary, and biographical sources, the book paints a comprehensive picture of how exhaustion has been perceived through the ages.
Ultimately, Exhaustion serves as a reminder that our quest to overcome weariness is intertwined with a deeper desire for self-mastery. By understanding the complexities of exhaustion, we can foster a more nuanced perspective on our mental and physical states, paving the way for a healthier relationship with ourselves and our environment.
Exhaustion is fluently written and brilliantly argued, and it will provoke thoughtful minds with the suggestion that exhaustion has a history. -- Edward Shorter, author of How Everyone Became Depressed: The Rise and Fall of the Nervous Breakdown Exhaustion is an impressive, accomplished, and original book, one that promises to command a wide cross-disciplinary readership. A formidable amount of reading and research has gone into this work, which stretches from classical antiquity to the present day, yet Anna Katharina Schaffner marshals her material confidently and carries her learning lightly. Her book is a pleasure to read. -- Michael Greaney, author of Conrad, Language, and Narrative Schaffner's imaginative and ambitious work offers rich materials with which to think about exhaustion. -- Thomas Dixon Times Literary Supplement When Exhaustion does bring theory and experience together, it becomes engrossing-which makes it all the more regrettable that for so many centuries, our exhausted ancestors remained silent. -- Hanna Rosefield New Republic A fascinating study of the ways in which doctors and philosophers have understood the limits of the human mind, body - and energy. -- David Robson BBC Futures A timely contribution to a neglected field of study. BMJ Medical Humanities Blog
ISBN: 9780231172301
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
304 pages