Mechanical ventilators have long been an integral part of the care of patients with acute and chronic respiratory failure, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the need for greater understanding of the basic principles of their use in today’s ICU. Mechanical Ventilation for Respiratory Failure: Demystifying the Box in the Corner of the Room, by Drs. Richard M. Schwartzstein, Jeremy B. Richards, and Elias N. Baedorf-Kassis, is an easy-to-read, accessible text covering must-know information in this essential area—from basic and core principles to advanced topics in the field.