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 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. Subscribe Now. Table of Contents. Dec 05, Collin rated it liked it.
This book details what training Batman would need and what would happen to his body as Batman. A lot of physiology and biomechanics. Not as good as I had hoped, disappointing overall. I don't like the authors style, often tries to be funny unsuccessfully. Jun 28, Sara rated it it was amazing. Great intro book to kinesiology and biology. Sep 24, Karl Gruenewald rated it really liked it Shelves: non-fiction , science. Rather, what Zehr presents here is intended to answer a question that many of us may have wondered at one time or another: is it really be possible to become Batman?
After all, a central element of the character is that he is — at the end of the day — only human albeit a fabulously wealthy one. To the effect of answering that question, this book explores the limitations of the human body, which Zehr does while illustrating his arguments with frequent reference to Batman comic books and movies.
Fans of the character will likely find the book worth their time purely for the sake of deepening their appreciation of that aspect of his lore. It bears repeating that Batman is employed here only as a teaching tool used to explore the limitations of the human body and its ability to endure a life of fighting, the purpose being to provide a more readable text. His passion for the character clearly comes through however, and makes for a far more endearing read than if the book were in fact nothing more than a straightforward presentation of scientific facts.
The author certainly knows his science, as well or better than he knows Batman. The book is educational and interesting, and will especially fascinate those interested in the physiology of the body, martial arts, and injury. He is a professor of neuroscience and kinesiology as well as a martial artist and presumably a comic book fan.
Also we meet Bob, a fictional twin brother for Bruce to illustrate what a more average person would be undergoing daily compared to the intense training Bruce undergoes. Part two looks at training the human body to do what Batman does. Part four is about the stresses of this sort of thing on the bones and muscles and what happens when we force ourselves to be nocturnal.
Part five sums up whatever is left, probably where we see the most Bat-fallacies as this unit looks as what happens to the body when injured, especially in the lasting effects of multiple concussions and broken bones. Along with that are a comparison of male vs female trained warriors i. Batgirl and Catwoman and the effects of aging how long could Batman remain Batman before he gets too old for the part.
It balances the science with lay terms that should be easy for people to read but not being a lay person I could be overestimating that. If you like science and comic books, give it a try. View all 3 comments. Jul 13, Smit Machhi rated it liked it Shelves: abandoned.
Very good on the science side but if you're not a full-on science and superhero nerd you might have a really hard time finishing this book, it goes into real and I mean real depths on science stuff, and I consider myself full-on science and superhero nerd but I had a little hard time finishing the middle chapters of this book but in a defence of the writer it is supposed to go into that level of depth.
The writer clearly states that becoming and staying Batman can be brutal and exhausting on our Very good on the science side but if you're not a full-on science and superhero nerd you might have a really hard time finishing this book, it goes into real and I mean real depths on science stuff, and I consider myself full-on science and superhero nerd but I had a little hard time finishing the middle chapters of this book but in a defence of the writer it is supposed to go into that level of depth.
The writer clearly states that becoming and staying Batman can be brutal and exhausting on our mental and physical state and if you really want to achieve somewhat physical and mental capabilities of The Batman like I do I can assure you, you don't have to read this book and understand every concept in it to achieve that, there are many Reddit threads that explain this stuff way more simplistically and practically, but if you really want to go on full-on nerd just go for it but be prepared for big sciency jargon.
Aug 03, Dena Burnett rated it it was amazing. This book was pretty amazing. It combines two of the things I love most: Superheroes and Biomechanics. My Graduate Supervisor recommended I read it - the title came up in a conversation over beers and a Batman vs. Iron Man conversation. He hasn't led me astray with his recommendations and this book is no different. I couldn't put it down. As an "expert" I use the term loosely because although I'm intensively studying biomechanics, I'm still a student and have a lot to learn I really enjoyed th This book was pretty amazing.
As an "expert" I use the term loosely because although I'm intensively studying biomechanics, I'm still a student and have a lot to learn I really enjoyed this book. Zehr also an expert was engaging enough that he didn't oversimplify and lose me in his analysis; I don't think he would come across as patronizing to the non-expert either.
Excellent balance. For me, the main draw for this book was because I'm a HUGE Batman fan, simply because he's the only Superhero that is a "normal guy", just wanting to make Gotham City a better place. I truly enjoyed this book. I recommend it not only for the Biomechanics Buff pun intended but also the Superhero Fan-Boy or -Girl :P , who wants to truly believe that there could just be a Batman.
I can't wait to read Zehr's 2nd book - Inventing Ironman Jul 23, Wayland Smith rated it really liked it Shelves: superheroes. Superheroes like Superman and the Flash, Thor and Spider-Man, just aren't workable as we understand physics, biology, and most every other science. But what about the non powered heroes?
E Paul Zehr is uniquely qualified to look into if someone like Batman could actually exist. Zehr is a neuroscientist, a kinesiologist, and a martial artist. Zehr uses his own knowledge and skill to look at the physical demands of trying to become the Dark Knight. What would you need to study? How much would you Superheroes like Superman and the Flash, Thor and Spider-Man, just aren't workable as we understand physics, biology, and most every other science. How much would you have to eat? Is that level of skill possible?
Now, as an aside, this is just about the physical skills- don't go into this book expecting detailed info on grapple guns, Batmoblies, or ninja smoke pellets. But the serious study of the physical demands of being a superhero is really interesting to comic geeks like me. It would probably also be of interest to physical fitness types.
It was a fun read, and had some interesting speculations and facts. Recommended to comic fans who like their stories treated with respect, and anyone who likes looking at something from a different angle. Mar 18, Dawn rated it liked it Recommends it for: Batmaniacs. A professor of neuroscience and kinesiology with black belts in two martial arts, Zehr is the perfect guy to write this in-depth examination of how an actual human man might become Batman.
In short, yes, it's possible, but Batman wouldn't have a very long career. The in-depth examinations of how the human body works, fails, and heals might be a little too much for the general reader I certainly had to skim past some of it.
But, if the title strikes your fancy, I recommend you check it out from A professor of neuroscience and kinesiology with black belts in two martial arts, Zehr is the perfect guy to write this in-depth examination of how an actual human man might become Batman. But, if the title strikes your fancy, I recommend you check it out from your local library, and read the last section "Part V: A Mixed Batbag: Pondering possible pitfalls along the path to bathood.
Dec 05, Doug rated it it was amazing. This book is basically a fun way to learn physiology. If you're expecting a fun romp that tells you exactly how to become Batman, this is the wrong book for you. But if you're genuinely interested in the physiological demands of being Batman, you will enjoy this book. I found once you get through the beginning chapters you can get into the meat of the subject a little more. Because basiscally, the beginning chapters are broad physiology subjects that can be applied to almost any mammal.
Overall, i This book is basically a fun way to learn physiology. Overall, if you are JUST a fan of Batman and try to read this book, you probably won't enjoy it let alone finish it.
But if you're a fan of Batman and human physiology, you are exactly the targeted demographic of this book. Feb 24, Becky Churchman rated it liked it Shelves: batman. Instead, the book discusses all the physical and mental abilities needed and whether or not it's possible.
While the author is a medical expert and a practicing martial artist, he is not the greatest writer. He tries to make it entertaining by cracking jokes, but from a scholastic point of view, it follows the basic technique that teachers teach students who are just learning to write. Free Download Baseball Scorekeeper. Free Download Batman Vol. Free Download Becket and Other Plays. Free Download Beyond Innocence.
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