Becoming Batman - The Possibility of a Superhero

Marius_Ursus · 07-08-2009, 08:36 AM

I'm almost finished reading the book, Becoming Batman - The Possibility of a Superhero by E. Paul Zehr. I picked it up on a lark because I'm a diehard Batman fanatic and thought it would be cool to see a sort of manual on how the Dark Knight became something more than human without having any special powers.

Boy, was I surprised to find out what the book was really about as I began reading it. Detailed in there are general scientific knowledge about the skeleton (including how bones are formed and rematrixed), muscles (building, maintaining, tearing down), central nervous system function and development, sleep cycles, nutrition, physical training, injury, and aging.

I recommend this book to anyone who is into physical training and developing a better, stronger body. The author - it turns out - is a Doctor of kinesiology and uses everyday examples ranging from jetlag's effects on NFL Monday Night Footbal to how hard of a punch a person can take before sustaining injury and what the potential maximum strength a human has for a given height.

Great book...interesting, and full of practical knowledge on building a better you.

JolietKev · 07-08-2009, 10:38 AM

Looks interesting. Thanks

...Kennedy · 07-08-2009, 10:41 AM

I'd kinda like to read a book like the original premise you described, Marius.

Do you collect Batman memorabilia and the like?

Marius_Ursus · 07-08-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...Kennedy

I'd kinda like to read a book like the original premise you described, Marius.

Do you collect Batman memorabilia and the like?

Yes, a little too much.

I'd still like to read a book like the original premise I described, too.

lbleiweiss · 07-08-2009, 10:48 AM

ahh they don't make it for kindle fml

SavageWannaBe · 07-09-2009, 07:24 AM

That sounds like a cool read.

BergMuscle · 07-09-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavageWannaBe

That sounds like a cool read.

ditto - gotta add it to my "need to read" list.

Marius_Ursus · 07-09-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavageWannaBe

That sounds like a cool read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BergMuscle

ditto - gotta add it to my "need to read" list.

It really is. I finished it last night. The final chapters are about injury and injury recovery and what Batman can expect as he approaches retirement age (which applies very well to us) citing more examples of professional athletes.

Very interesting book.

a_miller_76 · 07-09-2009, 09:43 AM

Batman fan here too. Probably not as much as you, Marius...but still a fan. I'm glad to see the new series getting back to the true Batman and getting away from the campy kiddy version.

Marius_Ursus · 07-09-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_miller_76

Batman fan here too. Probably not as much as you, Marius...but still a fan. I'm glad to see the new series getting back to the true Batman and getting away from the campy kiddy version.

Me, too. That protrayal of the Joker was only slightly this side of Caesar Romero.

Stevelegh · 07-09-2009, 11:07 PM

Ordered it via Amazon.

Thanks Marius.