Deep Play

Deep Play explores humans' drive to engage in challenging and transcendent activities that take us beyond ordinary experience. The author examines various forms of deep play through both research and personal accounts, from mountain climbing to creativity to celestial contemplation. Ackerman documents her own participation in extreme activities like flying planes and swimming with alligators, using these experiences as case studies. Her investigation spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, psychology, anthropology and cultural history. The book examines why humans seek out experiences that combine risk, focus, and altered consciousness to reach heightened states of awareness. Through this lens, Deep Play considers the role of play and risk-taking in human development, spirituality and the pursuit of meaning.

Readers praise Ackerman's poetic writing style and her ability to connect diverse topics like mountain climbing, art, and religious rituals through the lens of deep play. Several reviewers note how the book made them think differently about their own hobbies and passions. Readers liked: - Rich descriptive language - Personal anecdotes and experiences - Cross-cultural examination of play - Connections between play and creativity Readers disliked: - Meandering structure - Too much focus on extreme sports - Dense academic language in parts - Some sections feel disconnected Multiple reviews mention the book requires focused attention and isn't a casual read. One reader noted "you have to work to follow her mental leaps between topics." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (248 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (89 ratings) "Not an easy read but worth the effort" appears in several variations across review sites.

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🔸 Diane Ackerman wrote this book while recovering from a serious horseback riding accident, which gave her a unique perspective on risk-taking and the human drive for thrilling experiences. 🔸 The term "deep play" was originally coined by philosopher Jeremy Bentham to describe high-stakes gambling, but Ackerman expands it to encompass any intense, risky activity that puts us in a transcendent state. 🔸 The author spent time with both astronauts and mountain climbers while researching the book, discovering surprising parallels between these seemingly different pursuits. 🔸 Many of the activities described in the book trigger the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that produce effects similar to those of morphine, helping explain humanity's attraction to dangerous pursuits. 🔸 Several passages in the book explore the paradox that some of the most life-affirming experiences come from activities that bring us closest to death, such as extreme sports and dangerous explorations.