Dangerously Sleepy audiobook cover - Overworked Americans and the Cult of Manly Wakefulness

Dangerously Sleepy

Overworked Americans and the Cult of Manly Wakefulness

Alan Derickson

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Health & Nutrition

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Dangerously Sleepy
Historical Roots of Sleeplessness+
Cultural Icons & Masculinity+
1980s Business & Pseudoscience+
The Fight for Labor Regulations+
Key Takeaways+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What influenced Benjamin Franklin to adopt a more judgmental, anti-sleep attitude later in his life?
  • A. His demanding schedule as a newspaper printer and inventor.
  • B. His deep admiration for the Protestant reformer John Calvin, who was known for his aversion to sleep.
  • C. His time spent observing the long working hours of early American settlers.
  • D. A severe bout of insomnia that changed his perspective on rest.
Question 2 of 7
How did Thomas Edison actively foster a culture of sleeplessness within his own business?
  • A. He only hired employees who demonstrated a willingness to stay up and work for long stretches at a time.
  • B. He mandated that all General Electric employees work rotating night shifts.
  • C. He fired workers who were caught drinking coffee during the daytime.
  • D. He designed factory floors without windows so workers would lose track of time.
Question 3 of 7
During Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 flight, what did the press and other pilots consider the most crucial factor for his success?
  • A. The durability of his newly designed engine.
  • B. The unpredictable weather conditions over the Atlantic Ocean.
  • C. His ability to stay awake for the entire thirty-three and a half hour journey.
  • D. The weight of his communication equipment.
Question 4 of 7
In the 1980s, how did some psychologists and scientists contribute to the American culture of sleeplessness?
  • A. They proved that sleep deprivation was a myth created by the fitness industry.
  • B. They argued that sleeping six hours or less made people more energetic, capable, and successful.
  • C. They developed new prescription stimulants to safely replace the need for sleep.
  • D. They claimed that the human body evolves to need less sleep as people age.
Question 5 of 7
According to the book, what common theme connects the sleeplessness of 1980s real-estate moguls like Donald Trump and NFL managers?
  • A. A shared strategy of sleeping only during daylight hours.
  • B. The belief that sleep is a sign of physical illness.
  • C. A reliance on caffeine and energy drinks to maintain focus.
  • D. The association of extreme sleep deprivation with hypermasculine leadership and competitive advantage.
Question 6 of 7
Why did the Supreme Court ultimately agree to limit the working hours of female laundry employees in Oregon in 1908?
  • A. Louis Brandeis successfully argued that working over ten hours a day risked women's ability to bear children.
  • B. They recognized that extreme exhaustion was causing a high rate of workplace fires.
  • C. The federal government had just passed a universal mandate for a 40-hour workweek.
  • D. The court determined that laundry facilities were a public utility, not a private business.
Question 7 of 7
What was the primary catalyst for establishing regulated working hours for medical professionals in New York?
  • A. A nationwide strike by exhausted hospital interns and nurses.
  • B. The fatal mismanagement of 18-year-old Libby Zion's care by an exhausted, overworked intern.
  • C. A Supreme Court ruling that mandated an 80-hour workweek for all healthcare workers.
  • D. A series of high-profile surgical errors committed by older physicians.

Dangerously Sleepy — Full Chapter Overview

Dangerously Sleepy Summary & Overview

Dangerously Sleepy (2014) shines a light on one of the oft-ignored yet highly relevant legacies of the industrial revolution: lack of sleep. The nineteenth century brought us many innovations, such as electricity, railroads and modern machinery, but it also led to exploited workers and the idea that sleep is for the weak – a luxury that Americans can’t afford.

Who Should Listen to Dangerously Sleepy?

  • The overworked
  • Historians of the industrial revolution
  • Readers who feel guilty about getting eight hours of sleep

About the Author: Alan Derickson

Alan Derickson, a historian and professor at Pennsylvania State University, specializes in the history of labor and the working class. His other books include Black Lung, Health Security for All, Worker’s Health and Worker’s Democracy.

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