sophiemartin's review against another edition

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This book is a non-fiction account of an author exploring the different ways a human body donated to science can be used. The information in the book is incorrect, the humour while talking about graphic topics is jarring, and it is clear the author has not done their research correctly and throughly. I could not spend any more time reading the blatant disregard for fact checking. 

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violetsonata93's review against another edition

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funny informative medium-paced

5.0

This book is full of really interesting info about what happens to cadavers after…well, death. But the true appeal of this book is the author’s dark sense of humor. It was so delightful! I’d recommend it to anyone who might be curious about the subject.

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semeyers's review against another edition

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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The book, written in 2003, is now slightly out of date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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apersonfromflorida's review

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funny informative slow-paced

4.0


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jenmcvay's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

5.0


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solenodon's review against another edition

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dark funny informative medium-paced

3.0


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stephanieridiculous's review

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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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jhbandcats's review against another edition

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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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bxtskr's review against another edition

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dark funny informative

3.75


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narpetcards's review against another edition

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dark funny informative medium-paced

3.75


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