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The Power of Tranquility in a Very Noisy World
You’ve decluttered your personal space, now it’s time to tidy up your soundscape. At a time when noise and chaos compete for every moment of our attention, noted author, musician, and naturalist, Dr. Bernie Krause, introduces us to methods for turning down the clatter in our lives, restoring a sense of contentment, and reclaiming the calm. Just as some influencers inspire us to tidy up household clutter, The Power of Tranquility in a Very Noisy World takes personal organization a step further – into the sonic realm. Bioacoustician, Bernie Krause, shares healthful tips that identify and reduce the damaging aural assaults that besiege us – incoherent dissonance that impacts our health more than we may realize. With his reassuring guidance, you will be able to fine-tune your surroundings, improve your sense of wellness, reduce anxiety, and restore a sense of inner peace and productivity to your own acoustic space. The Power of Tranquility in a Very Noisy World is a revelatory and powerful book. Thoroughly researched and accessibly crafted, it’s today’s best quiet guide – directing you from a debris field of noise into a more tranquil, connected, and resonant life.
- GenresNonfiction
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2021
8 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Bernie Krause
24 books36 followersDr. Bernie Krause is both a musician and a naturalist. During the 1950s and 60s, he devoted himself to music and replaced Pete Seeger as the guitarist for The Weavers. For over 40 years, Krause has traveled the world recording and archiving the soundsof creatures and environments large and small. He has recorded over 15,000 species. He lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 21, 2024
Just the book I needed.
August 25, 2025
I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 or 1 because I think the over arching ideas it aims to communicate are important and lacking in today’s society, and there were a few excerpts that were legitimately interesting or informative.
The biggest downside to this book is its bad writing and worse organization. Although it was a short read, it seemed to drag on repeating concepts that were already hashed out in previous chapters. The distinct theme that each chapter claimed to have, was clear only by the chapter titles and not the content of the chapters themselves. The book lacked a clear conclusion. In fact, the last couple paragraphs sounded to me like they should have been the introduction! I could go on…
This next point might be a bit of a petty grievance to have with this book, but the lack of proper references irked me. In chapter 2 he writes about how human evolution has lead us down a path of less physical strength, and weaker eyesight, hearing, and smell compared to our ancestors. He claims that “Scientists have no idea why humans seem to be on this declining evolutionary trajectory” and sites “personal correspondence” with a biology prof as his source. To take the opinion (albeit professional) of one scientist and extrapolate it to claim all scientists hold this opinion is irresponsible and completely unscientific! If this idea truly is the consensus among evolutionary biologists, there surely should be other, better, more robust, sources to site in support of this claim.
”Citing” news articles and webpages by coping pasting their link into a footnote was another common offence with the citations in this book. At least for the citation styles I am familiar with, simply copy pasting a link is completely inappropriate and improper.
Overall, the book is a light and easy read with bits of worth while content. Whoever was in charge of editing this book and approving its final form, though, should be fired.
The biggest downside to this book is its bad writing and worse organization. Although it was a short read, it seemed to drag on repeating concepts that were already hashed out in previous chapters. The distinct theme that each chapter claimed to have, was clear only by the chapter titles and not the content of the chapters themselves. The book lacked a clear conclusion. In fact, the last couple paragraphs sounded to me like they should have been the introduction! I could go on…
This next point might be a bit of a petty grievance to have with this book, but the lack of proper references irked me. In chapter 2 he writes about how human evolution has lead us down a path of less physical strength, and weaker eyesight, hearing, and smell compared to our ancestors. He claims that “Scientists have no idea why humans seem to be on this declining evolutionary trajectory” and sites “personal correspondence” with a biology prof as his source. To take the opinion (albeit professional) of one scientist and extrapolate it to claim all scientists hold this opinion is irresponsible and completely unscientific! If this idea truly is the consensus among evolutionary biologists, there surely should be other, better, more robust, sources to site in support of this claim.
”Citing” news articles and webpages by coping pasting their link into a footnote was another common offence with the citations in this book. At least for the citation styles I am familiar with, simply copy pasting a link is completely inappropriate and improper.
Overall, the book is a light and easy read with bits of worth while content. Whoever was in charge of editing this book and approving its final form, though, should be fired.
April 7, 2022
Excellent advice. It makes me want to seek out quiet and nature more often, and measure the decibel levels when I am in less quiet areas.
January 7, 2024
Krause is likely a much better sound-artist, musician and teacher than he is a writer, and to his credit, he has kept this book short and conversational in tone. It’s disarming, but also, even in its short 140-page length—which in a regularly-sized trade paperback would probably be more like 100 pages, at most—this book rambles and waxes poetic a bit too much for its own good. (He did warn us he has ADHD.)
Having said that: Some may find the style to their taste.
And the message is one I applaud wholeheartedly. (Not loudly, of course. Haha.) As more and more of the world’s population (1) crowds into cities, and (2) constantly consumes short videos and listens to music through their AirPods, we are definitely losing our taste for tranquility, and I have no trouble believing that it is burdening our mental, emotional, and even physical health in ways we should acknowledge. We should wear hearing protection or avoid overly-loud environments, we should design our spaces to be less reverberant, and we should consciously seek out places where we can escape to a more primitive soundscape of “geophony” or “biophony.”
Personally, I’m going to see about moving farther from the freeway, as I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And I’m going to pay more attention to how ambient sounds make me feel (as the author suggests).
This book doesn’t really “go deep” enough into its subject to live up to its lofty title. But it is a quick read, and you might find it thought-provoking. If you hadn’t ever considered the points Krause is raising, you might even find it life-changing.
Having said that: Some may find the style to their taste.
And the message is one I applaud wholeheartedly. (Not loudly, of course. Haha.) As more and more of the world’s population (1) crowds into cities, and (2) constantly consumes short videos and listens to music through their AirPods, we are definitely losing our taste for tranquility, and I have no trouble believing that it is burdening our mental, emotional, and even physical health in ways we should acknowledge. We should wear hearing protection or avoid overly-loud environments, we should design our spaces to be less reverberant, and we should consciously seek out places where we can escape to a more primitive soundscape of “geophony” or “biophony.”
Personally, I’m going to see about moving farther from the freeway, as I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And I’m going to pay more attention to how ambient sounds make me feel (as the author suggests).
This book doesn’t really “go deep” enough into its subject to live up to its lofty title. But it is a quick read, and you might find it thought-provoking. If you hadn’t ever considered the points Krause is raising, you might even find it life-changing.
September 28, 2025
Krause, reconocido por su trabajo pionero en la ecología del paisaje sonoro, argumenta que el exceso de ruido artificial es un "ataque auditivo" que impacta nuestra salud física y mental mucho más de lo que imaginamos, causando disonancia e incrementando la ansiedad.
El autor ofrece un método para identificar, reducir y evitar los sonidos dañinos en nuestra vida cotidiana. Nos enseña a afinar nuestro entorno y a buscar la "resonancia terapéutica" que se encuentra principalmente en los entornos naturales, donde los sonidos de la fauna y la naturaleza nos conectan con una calma esencial y restauradora.
El libro es elogiado por ser minucioso y presentado de manera accesible y amena. No se limita a describir el problema de la contaminación acústica, sino que empodera al lector para controlar su contexto sonoro, buscar la paz interior y, en última instancia, llevar una vida más tranquila y armoniosa. Es una obra esencial para quienes buscan el bienestar a través de una higiene auditiva más consciente.
Krause, recognized for his pioneering work in soundscape ecology, argues that excessive artificial noise is an "auditory assault" that impacts our physical and mental health far more than we imagine, causing dissonance and increasing anxiety.
The author offers a method for identifying, reducing, and avoiding harmful sounds in our daily lives. He teaches us to tune into our surroundings and seek the "therapeutic resonance" found primarily in natural environments, where the sounds of wildlife and nature connect us with an essential and restorative calm.
The book is praised for being thorough and presented in an accessible and readable manner. It does not simply describe the problem of noise pollution but empowers readers to control their audio environment, seek inner peace, and ultimately lead a calmer and more harmonious life. It is an essential work for those seeking well-being through more conscious hearing hygiene.
El autor ofrece un método para identificar, reducir y evitar los sonidos dañinos en nuestra vida cotidiana. Nos enseña a afinar nuestro entorno y a buscar la "resonancia terapéutica" que se encuentra principalmente en los entornos naturales, donde los sonidos de la fauna y la naturaleza nos conectan con una calma esencial y restauradora.
El libro es elogiado por ser minucioso y presentado de manera accesible y amena. No se limita a describir el problema de la contaminación acústica, sino que empodera al lector para controlar su contexto sonoro, buscar la paz interior y, en última instancia, llevar una vida más tranquila y armoniosa. Es una obra esencial para quienes buscan el bienestar a través de una higiene auditiva más consciente.
Krause, recognized for his pioneering work in soundscape ecology, argues that excessive artificial noise is an "auditory assault" that impacts our physical and mental health far more than we imagine, causing dissonance and increasing anxiety.
The author offers a method for identifying, reducing, and avoiding harmful sounds in our daily lives. He teaches us to tune into our surroundings and seek the "therapeutic resonance" found primarily in natural environments, where the sounds of wildlife and nature connect us with an essential and restorative calm.
The book is praised for being thorough and presented in an accessible and readable manner. It does not simply describe the problem of noise pollution but empowers readers to control their audio environment, seek inner peace, and ultimately lead a calmer and more harmonious life. It is an essential work for those seeking well-being through more conscious hearing hygiene.
January 19, 2022
"Sound is a bit like food. Feed your body and soul the right nutrients, and you’ll feel energized, amazed how that will transform and enhance your sense of well-being and consonance."
I think this quote truly summarizes this book well. It seems the author's goal is to share the benefits, both spiritually and physically of natural sounds, versus the harm of our human-centric works. He definitely meets this goal! I lovr his recommendation, aiming for tranquil sounds and their calming effect, bit silence.
I learned quite a bit through this read, including the definitions of:
-Geophony - sounds the Earth makes (wind, volcanoes, etc)
-Biophony - sounds animals make (crickets, birds)
-Anthropophony - sounds humans make (cast engines, airplanes)
Influence of sound on our mental and physical health
I truly enjoyed this read from a new perspective I've never considered. There are quite a few personal tangents from the author's personal history - some seem to add value and some don't. I would give 5 starts, but towards the end are some personal tangents and political topics sprinkled in, which to me are distracting and deter from the overall objective of this read. Therefore, I have downgraded to 4 stars.
I think this quote truly summarizes this book well. It seems the author's goal is to share the benefits, both spiritually and physically of natural sounds, versus the harm of our human-centric works. He definitely meets this goal! I lovr his recommendation, aiming for tranquil sounds and their calming effect, bit silence.
I learned quite a bit through this read, including the definitions of:
-Geophony - sounds the Earth makes (wind, volcanoes, etc)
-Biophony - sounds animals make (crickets, birds)
-Anthropophony - sounds humans make (cast engines, airplanes)
Influence of sound on our mental and physical health
I truly enjoyed this read from a new perspective I've never considered. There are quite a few personal tangents from the author's personal history - some seem to add value and some don't. I would give 5 starts, but towards the end are some personal tangents and political topics sprinkled in, which to me are distracting and deter from the overall objective of this read. Therefore, I have downgraded to 4 stars.
September 4, 2025
Krause made some important points but I didn’t think he went deep enough into most of his points to leave a particularly significant impression — I did however download a decibel meter app so he was perhaps somewhat convincing
February 5, 2025
This might be a case of “fiction girlie enjoys a nonfiction book and now she thinks it’s the best in recent years.” And you know what? I’ll lean into that.
I really loved this! I’m taking it as a sign to:
1. Go frolic in the woods or be surrounded by nature
2. Possibly gift my friends a copy of this book
3. Read Bernie Krause’s other books and watch his lectures, documentaries, etc.
This was a successful impulse buy. I saw a copy sitting atop a messy stack at NBS and I got intrigued by the title. As someone who is hypersensitive to noise—who feels stressed, anxious or angry when my surroundings become unbearably noisy—this book made me feel seen.
What does tranquil even sound like nowadays? *cries* Spotify playlists and noise-cancelling headphones can only do so much when you have to compete with the constant din of distractions in Metro Manila.
This book confirmed a bone-deep need to live in an environment with a soundscape that enables harmony and solitude. Krause said that we’re not built for complete silence, but we do need restorative soundscapes that play to our acoustic needs instead of destructive ones.
I love how the author also shared information about sound walks, the decibels acceptable to the human ear, the *shinrin yoku* or Japanese concept of forest bathing and the need to preserve our natural world.
Reading this felt like the equivalent of sitting down for one of the best lectures in university and knowing that you’re there to soak in all the knowledge and don’t have to take an exam on it afterwards.
Imagine a combo of informative tidbits, historical trivia, and sprinkles of poetic sentiments about nature and the symphony of the wild—this was clearly written for me. I even went into a Youtube rabbit hole of watching tribes create music and heal through “natural orchestra”. Thanks, Bernie.
I really loved this! I’m taking it as a sign to:
1. Go frolic in the woods or be surrounded by nature
2. Possibly gift my friends a copy of this book
3. Read Bernie Krause’s other books and watch his lectures, documentaries, etc.
This was a successful impulse buy. I saw a copy sitting atop a messy stack at NBS and I got intrigued by the title. As someone who is hypersensitive to noise—who feels stressed, anxious or angry when my surroundings become unbearably noisy—this book made me feel seen.
What does tranquil even sound like nowadays? *cries* Spotify playlists and noise-cancelling headphones can only do so much when you have to compete with the constant din of distractions in Metro Manila.
This book confirmed a bone-deep need to live in an environment with a soundscape that enables harmony and solitude. Krause said that we’re not built for complete silence, but we do need restorative soundscapes that play to our acoustic needs instead of destructive ones.
I love how the author also shared information about sound walks, the decibels acceptable to the human ear, the *shinrin yoku* or Japanese concept of forest bathing and the need to preserve our natural world.
Reading this felt like the equivalent of sitting down for one of the best lectures in university and knowing that you’re there to soak in all the knowledge and don’t have to take an exam on it afterwards.
Imagine a combo of informative tidbits, historical trivia, and sprinkles of poetic sentiments about nature and the symphony of the wild—this was clearly written for me. I even went into a Youtube rabbit hole of watching tribes create music and heal through “natural orchestra”. Thanks, Bernie.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews