A. Roger Ekirch

A. Roger Ekirch is an American historian and professor at Virginia Tech, known primarily for his groundbreaking research on the history of sleep patterns and nocturnal life in pre-industrial societies. His most influential work, "At Day's Close: Night in Times Past," published in 2005, revealed evidence of segmented sleep being the norm in Western societies before the Industrial Revolution. Ekirch's research has extended beyond sleep history into other aspects of early American and European social history. His books include "Bound for America: The Transportation of British Convicts to the Colonies, 1718-1775" and "Birthright: The True Story of the Kidnapping of Jemmy Annesley." The historian's work on segmented sleep patterns has influenced various fields, including medicine, anthropology, and literature studies. His findings about historical two-phase sleep have been cited in numerous scientific papers and have contributed to contemporary discussions about natural sleep rhythms. Ekirch received his PhD from Johns Hopkins University and has been awarded multiple fellowships, including those from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Guggenheim Foundation. His research continues to focus on early modern social and cultural history, particularly examining how people lived during nighttime hours in past centuries.

Readers appreciate Ekirch's extensive research and ability to illuminate historical sleep patterns, particularly in "At Day's Close" and "The Great North American Stage Robbery." Several reviewers note his skill at making academic topics accessible to general audiences. Common praise focuses on his documentation of pre-industrial biphasic sleep and how this research has helped readers understand their own sleep patterns. One reader called the sleep history findings "life-changing information that explained my night waking." Critics point to occasional dry academic language and what some call "excessive detail" in certain historical sections. A few reviewers mentioned difficulty maintaining interest through detailed court records and historical documents. Ratings: At Day's Close - Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) American Sanctuary - Goodreads: 3.7/5 (100+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) The Great North American Stage Robbery - Goodreads: 3.5/5 (25+ ratings)

At Day's Close: Night in Times Past (2005) A detailed examination of nighttime culture and sleep patterns in pre-industrial Western society, documenting evidence for the historical practice of segmented sleep.

Bound for America: The Transportation of British Convicts to the Colonies, 1718-1775 (1987) A historical analysis of the British practice of transporting convicted criminals to American colonies, exploring the social and legal aspects of this penal system.

Birthright: The True Story of the Kidnapping of Jemmy Annesley (2010) A historical account of the 18th-century kidnapping of James Annesley, heir to an Irish peerage, and his subsequent legal battle to reclaim his inheritance.

American Sanctuary: Mutiny, Martyrdom, and National Identity in the Age of Revolution (2017) An examination of a 1797 British naval mutiny and its impact on American legal sovereignty and political identity.

Robert Darnton examines social and cultural history of 18th century France, focusing on everyday life and popular culture. His work "The Great Cat Massacre" explores how common people thought and behaved in pre-industrial Europe.

Carlo Ginzburg pioneered microhistory through detailed studies of ordinary people in medieval and early modern Europe. His book "The Cheese and the Worms" reconstructs the worldview of a 16th-century miller, demonstrating how individual cases illuminate broader historical patterns.

Peter Burke investigates cultural history and social practices in early modern Europe with focus on knowledge transmission and popular culture. His research methods combine anthropological approaches with historical analysis to understand past societies.

Edward Muir specializes in Renaissance and early modern Italian social history, examining ritual and daily life. His work "Mad Blood Stirring" explores the culture of vengeance and honor in Renaissance Italy through detailed archival research.

Natalie Zemon Davis studies early modern France and Europe through the lens of social and cultural history, focusing on common people's experiences. Her book "The Return of Martin Guerre" reconstructs a 16th-century peasant's life through careful analysis of court records.