STIFF: THE CURIOUS LIFE OF HUMAN CADAVERS by Mary Roach
Roach, M. (2003). Stiff: The curious lives of human cadavers. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
GENRE: Popular Non-Fiction
ANNOTATION: In this humorous – but not irreverent – book, Mary Roach explores the science of death, decomposition, and the world of human cadavers.
SUMMARY: This book scientifically explores the complex world of human cadavers and explains it in layman’s terms in a fun and witty – but never irreverent – way that the common person can enjoy. It explores the many functions of dead bodies from scientific research to crash test dummies and cannibalism. She also explores common methods of body disposal such as burial, cremation, and composting as well as the topic of the book – body donation and human cadavers.
EVALUATION: 4 - The author brings humor and approachability to an otherwise serious and often avoided subject. This book is unique and interesting despite the occasional (but unavoidable) grotesque moments.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Mary Roach has written three other popular non-fiction books putting an interesting and approachable spin on science.
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