Fighting Sleep

Main Themes and Topics

Fighting Sleep by Franny Nudelman delves into the provocative intersection of military science, psychiatry, and activism. Central to its narrative is the examination of how sleep was utilized as both a weapon and a means of protest. The book explores the episodic instances of Vietnam veterans transforming sleep from a basic human necessity into a powerful instrument of demonstration against war. Nudelman highlights the militarization of psychiatric practices, investigating how sleep therapies—once perceived primarily as therapeutic—were, in fact, co-opted into tools for manipulation and control. The fight for the right to sleep, as symbolized by veterans' actions on the National Mall, represents a broader struggle for autonomy and resistance against oppressive structures.

Writing Style and Tone

Nudelman employs a meticulous and scholarly tone throughout Fighting Sleep, balancing academic rigor with accessible storytelling. Her writing is characterized by a profound depth of research, seamlessly weaving historical facts with critical analysis. The tone is clear and insightful, allowing complex themes to be understood by a broad audience. Nudelman's narrative style provides a compelling look at the psychological and political dimensions of sleep, without losing the human element of the veterans' experiences.

Brief Summary

In Fighting Sleep, Franny Nudelman chronicles significant historical episodes where sleep served as a battleground for control and resistance. She starts with the 1971 protest on the National Mall, where Vietnam veterans defied legal barriers to demonstrate against the war through sleep-ins. The book then traces back to the post-World War II era, examining how military psychiatrists employed various sleep therapies to address "combat fatigue," eventually transitioning these practices into mechanisms for brainwashing and psychological control. Nudelman concludes with a reflection on how Vietnam veterans, facing traumatic symptoms such as nightmares and insomnia, reclaimed sleep as a form of protest, establishing a new paradigm in antiwar activism.