The Art of Lying Down: A Guide to Horizontal Living

German scholar Brunner (Inventing the Christmas Tree) concisely but thoroughly examines, yes, lying down and the activities we perform in this position. Those include working, loving, healing, dying, and dreaming. He studies his topic in short chapters that succeed as historical accounts, how-to manuals, and philosophical queries. For example, we don't simply lie down in bed to sleep; we also lounge during the day, we pursue "horizontal socializing" such as eating, we may practice sunbathing, feng shui, and more. Brunner, translated by Lantz, includes thoughtful questions that examine cultural norms, such as why some Western societies may view a person who is lying down as lazy, vulnerable, or unwell. He also explores the environments we lie down in and the internal or external factors that affect our ability to relax, dream, or perform other horizontal activities. He refers helpfully to relevant historical and archaeological records and quotations from literature and drama, as well as references to artworks. Likewise he includes contexts from numerous other cultural and social perspectives.