Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Die fabelhafte Welt der Leichen by Mary Roach, Michaela Grabinger

38 reviews

semeyers's review against another edition

challenging dark funny fast-paced

4.25

I liked this book so much more than I had anticipated! Mary Roach is an amazing author who describes tough things in a succinct, informative, and light way. Yes, there are a lot of graphic descriptions of gore in this book and it is not recommended for those with a weak stomach (I have a strong stomach and found I couldn't eat while listening to this book even), but I came out of it less afraid of death and less afraid of cadavers as well.

The book, written in 2003, is now slightly out of date

promession, for example, is now legal and used as a form of burial in three countries. "Aquamation" has gained popularity,etc.

, but still a worthwhile read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Cannibalism, and Death of parent

jenmcvay's review against another edition

informative fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death

solenodon's review against another edition

dark funny informative medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

stephanieridiculous's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

3.0

Overall this was a fascinating read and I'm glad I picked it up. Aside from making me queasy a few times, there were a few parts I didn't particularly care for such as essentially making a joke out of the harmful stereotype about China and dogs, and with describing early colonial settlers. A few jokes absolutely failed to land as well, but I suppose humor is very subjective.

My biggest gripe with this book, though, is the chapter on crucifixion experiments. While all the other chapters have lengthy bibliographies and reference a plethora of resources, this chapter is woefully insufficient. It seems like Roach phoned this one in for the shock factor of it's inclusion and failed to give it the same level of respect and research her other topics received. And adjacent to that, the chapter I was most hesitant to read, about cannibalism, was mostly unsubstantiated rumors turned into more shock factor fluff, seemingly just to get you to read/be grossed out/I dunno what.

Despite all that, I learned a lot and have much to consider about my own future cadaver and what should be done with it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicide

chilivanilli28's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail

jhbandcats's review against another edition

challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Stiff is the first book I read of Mary Roach's, and I was an immediate fan. I first read it more than fifteen years ago and have continued to recommend it to people since. She takes a taboo topic for her book and makes it approachable, funny, and educational.

Dead bodies have all sorts of potential futures. At a funeral home they can be embalmed, cremated, or dissolved via aquamation. Donated to science, they can work in med school anatomy labs, be subjected to crashes to analyze car and airplane safety, decompose naturally to assist forensic scientists in determining time of death, or be used in surgery continuing education classes.

Roach details the history of dead bodies, including stories on Burke and Hare's murder and grave robbery scheme and the first anatomy classes. She talks about failed whole head transplant operations; body composting; and bullet, bomb, and landmine studies to improve body armor. Her curiosity drives her to ask unexpected and occasionally inappropriate questions.

I think Mary Roach is a fabulous author. I'm glad I reread this fascinating book. She has taught me so much that I likely couldn't learn elsewhere. I can't recommend this highly enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

bxtskr's review against another edition

dark funny informative

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

thedinosaurkid's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was an amazing book. The science was great and very easily digestible. Even thought its a book about death it was very light hearted and even funny at times. 

If you would like to read this book, keep in mind that it was written in 2003. Roach uses some language that probably wouldn't be used today such as calling people "jews" and other similarly upsetting things. It doesn't seem like she had bad intentions but its just something you should be weary of when enjoying this book. 

Chapter 10 was very gross and interesting. 4.5/5 stars :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail