An oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For 2,000 years, cadavers--some willingly, some unwittingly--have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure--from heart transplants to gender reassignment ...
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An oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For 2,000 years, cadavers--some willingly, some unwittingly--have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure--from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery--cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way. In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries--from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.
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Add this copy of Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers to cart. $53.45, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Tantor and Blackstone Publishi.
Add this copy of Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers to cart. $87.51, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Tantor and Blackstone Publishi.
I picked up one for my daughter, who works in a hospital, one for myself, and one for a friend. The friend finished it first and was a bit grossed out by the last few chapters.
It is a grim topic, but handled with Mary Roach's arch humor. She holds her own with John Steward and Steven Colbert.
words1
Oct 28, 2010
surprisingly entertaining
This is a fascinating and well written book about a subject one would not think to be fascinating. The book is very respectful of the dead but amusingly entertaining about the subject as a whole. It is also a very informative book.
Chiroptera
Sep 24, 2009
Fascinating
What more can I say? Whether you've been struck with a morbid curiosity for the fate of corpses or a writer doing research on the effects of death on a body, you'll find just as much insight into the living as you will into the dead in this well-researched book.
Tammy2
Feb 2, 2009
Hilarious yet Informative!
Mary Roach is such a great author. I've also read her other book, Spook, about what happens when we die, spiritually. She's hilarious, I found myself literally laughing out loud while reading this book. Not only is she funny, but very, very informative. The book gives us an in-depth idea of what would happen to us if we donated our bodies to science and what an impact we can have on the future of it. Cadavers are used for so much more than we can think of! I strongly recommend this book, Mary Roach won't dissappoint you.
tbattey
Jan 29, 2009
Humor & Mayhem
This book held my interest thru the reading & had a good amount of humor in it. I recommend this book for a good read and something to put you in a good mood.
