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Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 611
EAN: 9780393324822
ISBN: 0393324826
Label: W. W. Norton & Company
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 304
Publication Date: 2004-05
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Studio: W. W. Norton & Company
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Editorial Review:
"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year....Gross, educational, and unexpectedly sidesplitting."—Entertainment Weekly
Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand 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.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Don't judge a book by its cover, or its title . . .
Had I done so, I would have missed out on one of the funniest books I've read in a very, very long time. When I first saw this book I asked myself, "who in the right mind would write a book about dead bodies?" Even more disturbing to me was, "why would anyone want to read such a book?" Just the same, I thought I'd pick it up and glance through it (maybe that could be called the "National Enquirer Effect?"). Surprisingly, my cursory glance through it seemed to tell me that this might, just might be ... Read More
Rating: - Dead-on discussion on the usefulness of the dead
With bright humor, wicked insights and a strong stomach, appropriately-named author Mary Roach pierces the veil that separates -- if not death from life -- then the dead from the living. Ever wonder how crash test dummies so closely mimic the human body's frailties? Ponder on how plastic surgeons practice the craft of sticking knives into people's faces? Curious about how analysts can tell whether a plane crash victims were killed by explosions or by impact with water (hint: it all about ... Read More
Rating: - Fantastic
This book is fantastic FUN! Roach is an interesting and hilarous writer. She thinks like most of us do and isn't afraid to put her thoughts on paper.
A must read for anyone!
Rating: - Excellent and entertaining
I was told about this book from a working in a bookstore.. and trust me I didn't really know what it was going to be about. I took the rish and have come to love this book. It's interesting, entertaining, funny and fresh. I guess for me, one of the biggest things i took away from the text outside of making my own decision about donating my body to science, was the fact that these people treat the dead well. And in fact the dead often receive my dignity, respect, and honor that the living are ever given.. ... Read More
Rating:  - Curiously entertaining
I picked up this book, curiously enough, at the Our Bodies: The Universe Within exhibit in Ohio. I've often wondered about human body donation and just what happens to all the people who opt for that.
I found this to be an enjoyable read. It's a little slow at times, but the humor is sparkling in just the right areas. It kept me interested, especially the history behind cadavers being used in scientific experimentation.
It's not a book for everyone, but after reading this one, I'm ... Read More
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