In Praise of Walking: The new science of how we walk and why it's good for us

Published by Vintage, 2020, softcover, index, 218 pages, condition: new.

Walking upright on two feet is a uniquely human skill. It defines us as a species.

It enabled us to walk out of Africa and to spread as far as Alaska and Australia. It freed our hands and freed our minds. We put one foot in front of the other without thinking yet how many of us know how we do that, or appreciate the advantages it gives us? In this hymn to walking, neuroscientist Shane OMara invites us to marvel at the benefits it confers on our bodies and minds, and urges us to appreciate and exercise our miraculous ability.

This book explains the science of walking, starting with the development of bipedalism in the evolutionary chain. It covers such topics as the brains sense of space, the combination of nerves and muscles that dictate forward motion, balance, and much more. There are plenty of references to walking in literature and tips for designing walker-friendly cities. There are lots of references to measurements, calculations, and research results. It is informative but a bit dry.


Walking enhances every aspect of our social, psychological, and neural functioning. It is the simple, life-enhancing, health-building prescription we all need, one that we should take in regular doses, large and small, at a good pace, day-in, day-out in nature and in our towns and cities. We need to make walking a natural, habitual part of our everyday lives.