Becoming Batman

The Possibility of a Superhero

E. Paul Zehr (University of Victoria)

$77.99

Hardback

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English

Publish My Book
15 November 2008

Society & Social Sciences; Biomechanics, human kinetics; Popular science; Fitness & diet

Battling bad guys. High-tech hideouts. The gratitude of the masses. Who at some point in their life hasn't 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 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.

By: E. Paul Zehr (University of Victoria)
Imprint: Publish My Book
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 499g
ISBN: 9780801890635
ISBN 10: 0801890632
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 15 November 2008
Recommended Age: From 18 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

E. Paul Zehr is a professor of neuroscience and kinesiology at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, where he is also a biomedical research scholar. He holds black belts in both empty hand and armed martial arts. For more information about finding your inner superhero, visit www.becomingbatman.com.

Reviews for Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero

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 know exactly what it took to become a real superhero. - Bradford W. Wright, author of Comic Book Nation Dr. Zehr's thoroughly researched and thoughtfully imagined exploration into the real-life rigors of costumed crime-fighting shows just how DC Comics' Dark Knight - the original self-made hero - could realistically transform a mere human body into something no less than superhuman. Consider it required reading for anyone seriously contemplating donning cape and cowl. - Scott Beatty, author of The Batman Handbook